Lives in Cricket No 2 - Johnny Briggs

as Epletune in the Domesday Book, was the township name, with Widnes being the name of the district. The population was sparse, with just a few scattered hamlets and farms in an area that was mainly marshland. Appleton still exists and is close to the centre of Widnes, which grew rapidly through its thriving chemical industry and by 1900 had a population of 50,000. A year after Briggs senior played his first season as a pro for Widnes CC, Johnny and his older brother Joe, joined Widnes Rugby club. Just five years earlier, the forerunner to what is now known as Widnes Rugby League Football Club was formed as the Farnworth and Appleton Cricket and Football Club. Two years later the name Widnes Rugby Football Club was established, but it wasn’t until 1895 that Widnes broke away from the Rugby Football Union to become founder members of the Northern Union when the new sport of Rugby League was established. Not until 1919/20, however, did Widnes claim their first honour – the Lancashire League title. From Widnes to Old Trafford 13 Family portrait: Briggs (standing) with his father James and brother Joseph and an unidentified cricket-playing Briggs relative