DIGGING into the Whalley’s World archive from 1997 with a story about the day Gracie Fields took centre-stage prior to a St Helens Recs rugby match prompted one Star reader to bring forward this fascinating photograph.

It shows singer and comedienne Gracie before kick off at a match between Recs and Rochdale Hornets at the Athletic Ground, Rochdale on Saturday, December 8, 1934.

She is pictured shaking hands with Recs skipper Billy Greenall (right), with Rochdale’s Victor Armbruster on the left.

The picture was brought forward by Niall Kilgannon, a 34-year-old legal clerk with Stradone Accident Management Services in St Helens.

It had been passed on by Billy’s family to Niall’s father, Mike (74), a former miner and builder from Eccleston.

Gracie, who became a national showbiz institution, performing with gusto right into old age, was a major attraction back in the thirties.

Apparently the fixture attracted a crowd of almost 7,000 spectators - including an exceptionally large number of ladies who gave the 36-year-old Gracie a rousing reception when she trotted out in full kit and with an international cap perched on her head.

In 1997 local rugby fan George Morrison wrote: "Gracie got the game in motion for Recs by kicking the ball straight into the hands of a Rochdale player. She was then politely asked to leave the field by referee A.E. Harding.

“And after performing a cartwheel en route - much to the delight of the crowd - Gracie returned to the touchline."