Hallam Jack Image 2 Oldham Athletic 1932

Description

Hadfield, Derbyshire born right half Jack Hallam began his football career with Hadfield Star from where he joined Third Division (North) club Wigan Borough in February 1931, making his Football League debut against Rochdale the same month. He played only three more matches before the end of the season, but won a place in Wigan Borough’s line up the following September and played 8 more matches, scoring once in a 3-2 victory over Carlisle United that October, in what proved to be Borough’s penultimate League match. He also played in their final match at Wrexham on 24th October.

The effects of the Great Depression had proved too much and, unable to pay the players’ wages any longer, Wigan Borough went out of business on 26th October 1931 with liabilities of £30,000, all the season’s fixtures subsequently were expunged. In truth the club had only made a profit for one year since they had been in the Football League. The last four players including Hallam were given free transfers in mid-December, and Hallam joined Second Division club Oldham Athletic, making his debut at inside left the following month in a home defeat to Bury.

It proved his only match for The Latics and he was released in the close season, after trials with Stockport County and Fulham early the following season Hallam joined non league Hyde United, returned to play for Hadfield Star in 1933 and subsequently played for Hollingworth in 1934 before his retirement from the game.

NB in the photograph, Hallam (right) sits with Oldham Athletic team mate Llew Purcell, who also played his only match for Oldham against Bury in January 1932.