Tensions Resurface: Wigan and Leigh Rivalry Echoes Through Rugby

The long-standing rivalry between Wigan and Leigh, two towns in Greater Manchester, has taken a new turn on the rugby league field. Country singer Zoe Unsworth, originally from Leigh, recently performed in Parbold, just over the Wigan border, and used the opportunity to address the historical tension between the two towns. During her set, she made a light-hearted apology for being from Leigh, highlighting the enduring nature of this local rivalry.

This conflict, which dates back over 400 years to the English Civil War, finds its roots in the differing allegiances of the towns during the conflict. Leigh supported Oliver Cromwell’s Parliamentarians, while Wigan remained loyal to King Charles I. Today, the rivalry is largely expressed through sports, particularly rugby league, where the Wigan Warriors and Leigh Leopards compete fiercely.

Following her performance, Unsworth, aged 26, reflected on the ongoing banter between the communities. “I’ve had people tell me, ‘You’re from Leigh. It’s just a bus stop in Wigan,’” she said. Despite the jibes, she emphasized her dual identity, noting, “My dad is from Wigan, and he moved to Leigh to be with my mum. So you could say I’m half a Wiganer and half a Leyther,” referencing the nickname for Leigh residents.

The local sentiment was echoed by Dave Thompson, a 56-year-old ex-army veteran from Wigan, who likened the rivalry to that of Salford and Swinton. “It’s mainly sport-related,” he noted, adding that accents between the two towns also contribute to the division.

William Pritchard, 75, compared the dynamic to the well-known football rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester. “But between Wigan and Leigh, it’s rugby league,” he stated. Pritchard, who has lived in the area for many years, expressed a personal indifference towards the rivalry, saying he bears no ill will against anyone based on their hometown.

At Krumbs Cafe in Wigan, owner Danielle Stephens, aged 38, suggested that the rivalry might stem from Leigh’s feelings of being overshadowed by Wigan’s larger size. “People in Leigh get fed up because Wigan’s a bigger town, but I don’t think there’s any harm in it,” she remarked, describing it as a “friendly rivalry.”

Official perspectives also reflect this historical backdrop. Senior Wigan councillor Sue Gambles referenced the Civil War, acknowledging the origins of the rivalry. She mentioned that when Wigan and Leigh were merged into the same borough in January 1974, there was some resistance. Gambles expressed her support for any local sporting teams, stating, “I support any sporting team from the Wigan area. In fact, I am a director at Leigh Sports Village.”

Despite the camaraderie expressed by some, resentment still lingers among certain residents of Leigh. Market stall holder Janette Saunders voiced her frustrations, noting, “There’s a big difference between Wigan and Leigh. We don’t get the same as what Wigan gets because they are bigger.” Others echoed similar sentiments, feeling that Leigh does not receive its fair share of resources from the local council.

Paul Eckersley, aged 59, reflected on the historical nature of the rivalry, recalling incidents from the 1980s when tensions flared during matches between the Leigh Centurions and Wigan Warriors. “I absolutely agree with people in Leigh that it feels like we get crumbs off Wigan’s table,” he stated.

The generational divide in perceptions of the rivalry was evident in the comments of Alfred Hilton, 82, who asserted that “Wiganers have their ways and we have ours.” He described a disconnect between the two towns, suggesting that even friends from Wigan do not associate with those from Leigh.

Conversely, some residents like Emily Kelly, aged 26, expressed a positive view of their neighbors. “I don’t feel any hostility towards Wigan or anyone who is from the town,” she shared, recounting her experience of kindness from Wiganers during a challenging period in her life.

Andy Fox, aged 51, summed up the sentiment, stating, “It’s only on rugby days when there’s rivalry. It’s nothing serious – just sporting banter.”

As the rivalry continues to play out in sports and community interactions, it remains a testament to the deep historical roots and local identity that characterize both Wigan and Leigh.