Howzat — the picture that sparked a reunion

SHANE Clegg was bowled over when he caught a glimpse of some familiar faces playing cricket in the old photograph at the Whitehouse Inn. He spotted the black and white snap on display and recognised his brothers — as youngsters — straight away. As a 15-year-old fielder, Alan Clegg (far left) and the late Barry Clegg (12) (second left) are pictured as their pal cleanly strikes the ball with a homemade bat.

SHANE Clegg was bowled over when he caught a glimpse of some familiar faces playing cricket in the old photograph at the Whitehouse Inn.

He spotted the black and white snap on display and recognised his brothers — as youngsters — straight away.

As a 15-year-old fielder, Alan Clegg (far left) and the late Barry Clegg (12) (second left) are pictured as their pal cleanly strikes the ball with a homemade bat.

The action took place in an old alleyway between Coronation Street and Roscoe Street, near Mumps, in 1963.

The picture, taken by former Chronicle photographer Dennis Hussey, is now known worldwide as it has appeared in magazines and to advertise the Ashes cricket series between England and Australia.

It also appeared on a videotape made by Oldham Council to commemorate the borough’s 150th anniversary, as well as in a national exam, where students had to describe what they could see in 500 words.

The picture of Alan and his Beever School pals taking part in the impromptu game of cricket was later dubbed the “back street test match” by the Chronicle.

Shane said: “I remember that day because we used to have a tin bath and on a Sunday the oldest brother always had to go first. But those two were missing.

“I’d seen that picture in the pub and all of my family have got copies of it now. Someone was asking me about it and when I said my brothers were on it that started all kinds of questions and Joan came up with the idea for the reunion.

“I even saw the picture on a T-shirt in Next. I couldn’t believe it. Then I was watching one of those TV shows, it was like “Through the Keyhole”, and it was Wasim Akram, the Lancashire cricketer. In his house there was a massive copy of the picture up on the wall!”