1–4 Woodhorn Road, Ashington, Northumberland, NE63 9UX
This is named after the legendary West Indian batsman who made his début for Ashington Cricket Club in 1964.
Photographs and text about Rohan Kanhai.
The text reads: This J D Wetherspoon pub is named after the world-class Guyanese batsman, who was brought in to play for Ashington Cricket Club in the 1964 season. A small but powerful player, Kanhai was one of the West Indies’ leading run-scorers during the 1960s and 70s.
He was selected to play for his national side in 79 test matches, scoring 6,277 runs, including 15 centuries (two against Australia in Adelaide). His test average was 47.53, only a little lower than his 1st class average of 49.29.
Kanhai was brought to Ashington Cricket Club was Charlie Chisholm Senior. He made a fine half-century on his debut, followed by knocks of 55, 80 and 106. By the end of June, the club had risen to second place in the league. In July, Kanhai brought the West Indian test side to Langwell Park for his benefit match. Ashington won the league title that season and the Wilson Cup. Kanhai’s contribution was a record 1,217 averaging 93.62.
Above; left, A newcomer to the West Indies team, in 1957, right, Kanhai in 1981
Left: Called out of retirement for the World Cup, 1975.
Photographs and text about Jack and Bobby Charlton.
The text reads: Jack and Bobby Charlton seemed destined to play football. Their mother’s four brothers were all league professionals, whilst her cousin was ‘The Ashington Flyer’, Jackie Milburn.
As youngsters, Jack and Bobby played for Ashington YMCA, where jack was spotted by a scout from Leeds United. He went on to play over 600 games for the club at centre-half.
Jack won many honours with Leeds, and was chosen as England’s Footballer of the Year in 1967. He later became Ireland’s most popular and successful manager.
Jacks younger brother Bobby was signed as a lad by Manchester United.
A surviour of the Munich air crash which killed eight of his collegues, Bobby played more than 750 games for United – starring in the European Cup, League Championship and FA Cup winning teams. He was both European and English Footballer of the Year in 1966: the most capped England player, and the national teams’ record goal scorer.
Both Bobby and Jack were members of England’s 1966 World Cup winning squad.
Above: clockwise from top left, great grandfather John Milburn, grandfather Tanner Milburn, Jack Charlton aged ten, and Bobby at the same age.
If you have information on the history of this pub, then we’d like you to share it with us. Please e-mail all information to: pubhistories@jdwetherspoon.co.uk