Mike Gregory

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mike Gregory was head coach of Wigan Warriors from 2003 to 2005. It is the first time since Colin Clarke, in 1985, that a Wigan born man has coached the Warriors. Mike had previously been Assistant Coach under Stuart Raper. He spent three months as caretaker coach, remaining unbeaten for 11 matches and guiding Wigan into the Grand Final - becoming the first side from outside the top two to make it all the way - before being awarded the job full time on a 2 year contract.

Gregory started his coaching career as assistant to Shaun McRae at St Helens. He spent three successful seasons at Saints between 1996-98, before taking the head coach job at Swinton. He later joined Wigan, taking charge of the Senior Academy in 2001. He led the youngsters to first place in the 2002 Academy Chapionship, before being promoted to Assistant Coach for the 2003 season.

Following the departure of Head coach Stuart Raper in July 2003, Mike was appointed Head coach until the end of the 2003 season. After Rapers announcement, Gregory had announced his intention to run for the job permanently.

Gregory has international coaching experience with Wales in the 1995 World Cup. He also guided the England Academy team to a historic series victory against the Australian Schoolboys in 2002. He was Assistant coach of the Lancashire Origin squad for 2003 and was also appointed as head coach of Scotland for the 2003 European Nations Cup.

Mike had a distinguished playing career captaining both Warrington and Great Britain, gaining over 20 caps for the Lions. He captained a GB tour to New Zealand.

In 2004, it was revealed that Gregory had been suffering from a serious illness affecting his nerves and muscles which he had possibly contracted as early as 2001. The illness blocks signals from the brain getting to muscles, causing weight-loss and affecting speech. Gregory went to the USA for a week in May 2004 to receive specialist treatment. Ian Millward was appointed as Head Coach of Wigan Warriors while Mike was still recoving from his injury. Mike's contract was not renewed by Wigan and it expired in 2005 this resulted in Mike taking Wigan and the club owner Dave Whelan to court claiming that Wigan should have done more to help him carry on. The case was settled by the two parties out of court with Wigan agreeing to pay £17,500 to Mike Gregory.

After the settlement Gregory said: “I feel robbed of a once in a lifetime opportunity. I am Wigan born and bred and I was very proud to be Head Coach of my home town team. As it is for players, it is for coaches, to represent your home town is a special privilege. The support of the players and fans has been exceptional throughout, this has been shown in many ways. If it was not for them, I do not believe I would have been chosen for the Head Coach in the first place.

“This was my dream job. I was proud to lead my team out into two finals. The supporters had belief in me and the team. I would never have betrayed this loyalty by returning to the job, if I felt in capable of doing it. My health was no different when I wanted to return to work than it had been at the Challenge Cup Final at the Millennium Stadium. However I was ‘frozen out’ from that then on.

“I feel the management of the Club failed to do their duty as a good employer. Never once did I feel they were trying to aid my return to work. The continuing support of the fans and the players has made a horrific experience bearable and I thank you all.”

Preceded by: Stuart Raper

Coach Wigan Warriors 2003-2005

Succeeded by: Denis Betts