Masons Arms
Carr Mill Road
Billinge
Near Wigan
WN5 7TY
The Mason Arms is a Greenall's pub serving cask beers and keg lagers and is often referred to locally as "Owd Mo's". Off the beaten track in the Chadwick Green area this is a small, out-of-the-way and almost picturesque, traditional 'local' that many travellers would miss if they were not aware of its existence. If ever you visit you would probably agree that to have foregone its unique charms would have been a pity.
The Masons Arms joined the League in its second year infancy, 1987, and spent the next two seasons in the second division before realignment, due to expansion, found them in Division One in time for the start of the 1989 term. Unfortunately this did not last too long and they were relegated to Division Two two years later at the end of 1991, further disappointment followed in 1995 when they were once again demoted to the then Division Three.
This was undoubtedly the low point of their membership and one from which they quickly recovered as they won the 'third' the following year and have ever since seemingly gravitated on a regular basis between Divisions One and Two, they completed the cycle once again at the end of 2001 by returning to Division Two after a single season in the top flight having been promoted as Division Two Champions the previous term.
The 'Masons' team has not seen many significant personnel changes in recent times and the team comprises long time captain Mike Critchley, Chris Dodds, Sue Martland, and Mike Rush who have been joined latterly by Ray Wesley; this group are more than ably assisted by regular Question persons Chris Cottom. Sadly towards the close of the 2002 season the team were greatly affected by the untimely demise of long time team member Brian Thompson, Brian was a well liked member of this equally well liked team and will be sadly missed by all who knew him. After a four year absence from the honours, the Masons Arms ended their barren run in 2004, in spite of a rather indifferent fourth place League showing in Division Two, they fought their way to, and eventually won an exciting and closely contested Knockout Plate Final against Owl Inn, Upholland; one of the best final ties witnessed in recent years.
The 2006 season brought more success as the team won Division Two and with it the Graham Darbyshire Cup and a further increment to their record of being the team with, to date, the greatest number of promotions and relegations in the League's history. 2007 brought further success as the team battled to the final of the League Knockout Cup competition only to be beaten by the highly talented Simms Road team. This feat was repeated again some three years later in 2010 when the team was narrowly beaten in the final of the same competition by the League Champions elect, U.C.C. Blues, individual success was also enjoyed by Ray Wesley who won the 2010 Pairs Knockout Competition partnered by Linda Hilton of Delph Tavern.