Profile

When George Hesketh signed for Oldham in November 1923, he had already given ten years service to the Wigan club, but would eclipse his Central Park reputation, as his career entered into an extended twilight playing with Oldham’s Challenge Cup specialists of the mid 1920’s.

George was a half back, commonly thought to be a stand off, but my research would suggest he was more often at scrum half despite being constantly listed at number six.

Whatever the position, he was a very lively customer, quick off the mark and able to deliver telling passes to unleash the threequarter pace of Rix, Corsi etc or the long striding forward breaks of Sloman, Ashworth and Brough. Also a useful goal kicker, George played in all four of the Challenge Cup Finals the club appeared in between 1924 – 1927, having a particularly fine match in the 1925 triumph over Hull K.R. at Headingley.

His last match was at Leigh on November 9th, 1929. After his career with Oldham was over he returned to serve as a director at Wigan. The Hesketh family have a long tradition at Central Park and George eventually became club chairman.