Wigan Warriors

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Wigan Warriors
Current season
Club information
Full name Wigan Warriors
Rugby League Football Club
Nickname(s) Cherry & Whites
Ground JJB Stadium,
Wigan, Greater Manchester
(Capacity 25,138)
Current
Chairman Flag of England Ian Lenagan
Coach Flag of England Brian Noble
Captain Flag of England Sean O'Loughlin
League Super League
History
Founded 21st November 1872
Championships 17
Challenge Cups 17
World Club
Champions		 3
Kit(s)
Team colours Team colours Team colours
Team colours
Team colours
　
Home colours
Team colours Team colours Team colours
Team colours
Team colours
　
Away colours
Website Official site

The Wigan Warriors are a professional rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, England. They play in the European Super League and are one of the most well known clubs in rugby league mainly due to their successes in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s which included winning the Challenge Cup 8 seasons in succession. The club has a long-standing rivalries with local clubs St Helens and Leigh Centurions.

The first rugby club in Wigan was formed in 1872 however Wigan Wasps where formed in 1979 and would later become Wigan R.L.F.C and then Wigan Warriors as they are known today. For previous rugby clubs in Wigan see History of Wigan Warriors. In 1985 Wigan was one of twenty-two rugby clubs that formed the original Northern Rugby Football Union.

Contents

[edit] History

For more details on this topic, see History of Wigan Warriors.

Wigan Wasps were formed 1879 and would later become the first rugby league team in Wigan. They broke away from the RFU to form the Northern Union which eventually became rugby league. Wigan had their first success when they won the Lancashire League in the 1901-1902 season and in the 1905-1906 season they won their first cup the Lancashire Cup. Between 1906 and 1923 Wigan won the Lancashire League another seven times and the Lancashire Cup another four times. Wigan won there first Challenge Cup in the 1923-1924 season when they beat Oldham 21-4 in Rochdale. In 1933 the Prince of Wales attended Central Park, becoming the first royal to watch a rugby league match

The outbreak of World War Two disrupted the rugby league championship but Wigan continued to play in the Lancashire War League and the Emergency War League.

In 1953 Wigan signed William ‘Billy’ Boston for £150. He would later become one of the most successful and famous Wigan players of all time. Wigan continued to have regular success in both league and cup competitions until 1974 when Wigan went 8 seasons without winning any leagues or cups.

Maurice Lindsay came to Wigan in the early 1980s to join directors Jack Robinson, Tom Rathbone and David Bradshaw. Wigan became one of the first teams to go full-time professional in the league, this led to an upsurge in the fortunes of the club. Between February and October 1987 Wigan won a record 29 games in a row as follows: 20 Division One, 3 Premiership Trophy, 4 Lancashire Cup, 1 Charity Shield, 1 World Club Challenge. Wigan defeated Australian club Manly-Warringah 8-2 in front of a crowd of over 38,000 at Central Park for an unofficial World Club Championship. It was the first time a team of Englishmen had beaten a team of Australians at rugby league since 1978. From 1988-1995 Wigan won the Challenge Cup 8 seasons in a row this period Wigan’s most successful periods to date. They also won the Championship six times, League Cup four times, Premiership Trophy three times, Charity Shield twice and two World Club Championships. Wigan wouldn’t win the Challenge Cup again for another 8 seasons until they won it in 2002.

Wigan won the first Super League Grand Final in 1998 with a 10-4 victory over Leeds Rhinos at Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester. In 2000 Wigan finished top of the Super League and reached the Grand Final for the second time but this time lost to St Helens 29-16. Wigan reached the Grand Final again the year after but lost to Bradford Bulls 37-4 which is still the biggest winning margin in a Super League Grand Final. In 2002 Wigan won their 18 Challenge Cup when they beat St Helens 21-12 at Murrayfield Stadium.

Wigan coach Stuart Raper was sack as head coach of the club on 29th July 2003 due to a lack of success[1] . He was replaced by assistant coach Mike Gregory and the team improved and reached the Grand Final only to loose to Bradford Bulls 25-12. In 2004 Gregory guided Wigan to the Challenge Cup final at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff but Wigan lost to St Helens 32-16. It was Mike Gregory last match as head coach of Wigan, he travelled to the United States of America to get treatment for an illness that he contracted after an insect bite while in Australia[2] . It was revealed that Mike had motor neurone disease and he did not return as Wigan coach he was not sacked but Wigan allowed his contract to expire and also appointed Ian Millward as head coach. Wigan did not have the success they expected under Ian Millward and in 2006 Wigan were bottom of the league and facing relegation from Super League. Wigan sacked Millard and replaced him with Brian Noble. Brian Noble signed Michael Dobson[3] and signed Stuart Fielden from Bradford Bulls for a record fee of £450,000[4] . Wigan avoided relegation in 2006 but still had problems with the salary cap which they had breached in 2005[5] and 2006[5] . Some of the fans blamed Wigan Chairman Maurice Lindsey for the lack of success and salary cap problems at the club. In 2007 Maurice Lindsey announced that he would step down as Wigan Chairman at the end of 2007[6] and later that month Dave Whelan announced he would consider selling the club at the end of the season. Harlequins RL chairman and life long Wigan rugby league fan Ian Lenagan bought the club from Dave Whelan promising to start an new era at Wigan Warriors[7].

[edit] Colours

Until 1886 the Wigan team played in blue and white hooped jerseys before changing the colours to cherry and white which are synonymous with the club. Apart from the 1994-1995 jersey and the 1997 jersey all the home jerseys for the Wigan club have been some variations of cherry and whites hoops although modern variations have replaced the cherry colour with a lighter red colour. The away kit of Wigan was usually blue up until 2001 when a black away kit was used they returned to using a blue kit the following season but in 2003 they again used a black away kit. Since 2003 all the away kits have been blue or navy blue

Main home jerseys

Wigan Wasps

2008

The 1989 the club had the shirt sponsor Norweb on the front of the home and away shirts which would remain the club sponsor until 1998 by which time the Norweb company had been merged into United Utilities. The following season Wigan was sponsored by Energi the electrical branch of Norweb. In 2000 Wigan changed their kit sponsor to JJB Sports, the owner of JJB sports Dave Whealan at the time was also the owner of the Wigan Rugby League club as well as Wigan Athletic Football Club. Both clubs were now sponsored by JJB Sports have had both moved into the JJB Stadium in 1999. JJB Sports remain the main sponsor of Wigan Warriors despite Dave Whelan selling the club in late 2007 and selling JJB Sports in earlier in the year.

Wigan has had a number of kit manufactures including Puma, Adidas and Nike. When JJB became the shirt sponsor the kit manufacturer was usually an associate of JJB Sports at the time. Wigan’s 2000 kit was made by Adidas who also sponsored the East Stand at the JJB Stadium but when the association with JJB end the kits were made by Patrick, Dave Whelan's own clothing company. In 2006 and 2007 the kit manufacturer became JJB Sports itself which meant that the kits had JJB Sports as the main sponsor and as the kit manufacture. After Ian Lenegan became Chairman in 2008 the kit manufacture changed to Kooga for the 2008 season.

[edit] Stadium

Wigan Wasps played their home games at Wigan Cricket Club on Prescott Street until 1901 when they moved to Springfield Park which they shared with the towns association soccer club Wigan United A.F.C. The first rugby match at Springfield Park was played on 14th September 1901 and was between Wigan and Morecambe in front of 4000 spectators. The record rugby attendance for the ground was 10000 achieved on 19 March 1902 when Wigan beat Widnes. Forty days later Wigan played there last game at Springfield Park when they defeated the Rest of Lancashire Senior Competition.

JJB Stadium before a Wigan Warriors game
JJB Stadium before a Wigan Warriors game

In 1902 Wigan moved to their purpose build rugby ground called Central Park. Wigan played there first game at Central Park against Batley on 6th September 1902 which won Wigan 14 points to 8. Central Park would be the home of Wigan Rugby League until 1999 when they moved to the newly built JJB Stadium. The last match at Central Park was against St Helens on 5th September 1999 a game which Wigan won 28-20 in front of 18,179 supporters. As Wigan developed into one of the most famous rugby league clubs in the world, Central Park also became one of the most famous rugby league venues.

Wigan now play their home games at the 25,00 all-seater JJB Stadium in Robin Park, Wigan. There first game at the JJB Stadium was a Super League play-off match against Castleford Tigers which Wigan lost 14-10. The JJB Stadium is shared by both Wigan Warriors rugby league club and Wigan Athletic Football Club neither side owns the stadium instead it is controlled by the company Whelco which is owned by Dave Whelan. As a grantee to Wigan rugby league the club was given a 99 year lease on the stadium so that the club would still have a stadium even if Whelan sold the club, which he did in 2007.

Wigan also have a training facility and ground at Edge Hall Road in Orrell which is were the team trains but is also where the Reserves and academy teams play there home games.

[edit] Supporters

Wigan is one of the most well supported rugby league clubs in Europe averaging over 10,000 for the last 8 season and averaged 16,039 for the 2007 Super League season.

As a gesture of thanks, the 2008 season will see the Wigan fans sport the number 18 in the squad numbers Joe Lydon commented “This is a new practice for clubs who recognise the extra special support which loyal fans can provide to their team in both good and bad times. It is particularly apt for Wigan fans"

The fans have their own supporters club who meet monthly and often have special guests at the meetings include; past and present players, coaching staff and members of the Rugby Football League.

Wigan's fans are known as 'pie eaters' which is reference to the 1926 General Strike when Wigan miners were forced to eat 'humble pie' and return to work before miners in other towns, even though they had been on strike before the other towns joined in.[8] Since then the word ‘pie’ has come to mean the pastry rather than the metaphor ‘Humble Pie’.

[edit] Coach

The current coach of Wigan Warriors is Brian Noble who is formerly the Bradford Bulls and Great Britain coach. He took over from Ian Millward who was sacked after poor performances left Wigan bottom of the European Super League. Noble became head coach of Wigan with the job of saving Wigan from relegation and returning the club to one of the top teams in rugby league. Under Noble Wigan managed to avoid relegation and have since improved but have yet to win any trophies under Brain Noble who is noted as being one of the most successful rugby league coaches while he was at the Bradford Bulls. The current assistant coaches at Wigan are Phil Veivers and John Pendlebury.

[edit] Coaching Register

Name Contract Started Contract Ended Notes
Flag of England Brian Noble April 2006 Present -
Flag of Australia Ian Millward May 2005 April 2006 Sacked
Flag of England Denis Betts May 2004 May 2005 Quit
Flag of England Mike Gregory July 2003 November 2005 Sick leave
Flag of Australia Stuart Raper May 2001 July 2003 Sacked
Flag of New Zealand Frank Endacott December 1999 May 2001 Sacked
Flag of England Andy Goodway June 1999 December 2001 Sacked
Flag of Australia John Monie November 1997 June 1999 Left
Flag of England Eric Hughes February 1997 November 1997 Sacked
Flag of New Zealand Graeme West May 1994 February 1997 Sacked
Flag of Australia John Dorahy June 1993 May 1994 Sacked
Flag of Australia John Monie September 1989 May 1993 Resigned
Flag of New Zealand Graeme Lowe August 1986 June 1989 Family reasons
Flag of England Colin Clarke/Alan McInnes jointly August 1984 May 1986 Left - mutual consent
Flag of England Alex Murphy June 1982 August 1984 Sacked
Flag of England Maurice Bamford May 1981 May 1982 Sacked
Flag of England George Fairburn April 1980 May 1981 Sacked
Flag of Wales Kel Coslett October 1979 April 1980 Left to coach St Helens
Flag of England Vince Karalius September 1976 September 1979 Quit
Flag of England Joe Coan January 1975 September 1976 Sacked
Flag of England Ted Toohey May 1974 January 1975 Sacked

[edit] Current Season

For more details on this topic, see Wigan Warriors 2008.

In 2008 Wigan Warriors will be playing in Super League XIII and the Challenge Cup. They have recruited 5 new players for the 2008 season; Andy Coley, George Carmont, Richie Mathers, Karl Pryce and Cameron Phelps. Wigan will player their last game of the season against St Helens at Knowsley Road on 5th September 2008.

[edit] Current Squad

As of 9 June 2008:

No Nat Player Position Weight(Kg) Height(m) Age Previous Club
1 Flag of England Richie Mathers Full Back 96 1.88 24 Gold Coast Titans
2 Flag of England Mark Calderwood Right Wing 86 1.85 26 Leeds Rhinos
3 Flag of England Darrell Goulding Right Centre 90 1.82 19 Wigan Warriors Academy
4 Flag of Samoa George Carmont Left Centre 91 1.80 29 Newcastle Knights
5 Flag of Ireland Pat Richards Left Wing 99 1.91 25 Wests Tigers
6 Flag of Australia Trent Barrett Stand Off 94 1.82 30 St George Illawarra Dragons
7 Flag of New Zealand Thomas Leuluai Scrum Half 85 1.71 22 Harlequins RL
8 Flag of England Stuart Fielden Prop 108 1.91 28 Bradford Bulls
9 Flag of England Mickey Higham Hooker 86 1.73 27 Bradford Bulls
10 Flag of Samoa Iafeta Paleaaesina Prop 118 1.87 25 New Zealand Warriors
11 Flag of England Gareth Hock Second Row 92 1.88 24 Wigan Warriors Academy
12 Flag of Australia Phil Bailey Second Row 93 1.89 27 Cronulla Sharks
13 Flag of England Sean O'Loughlin Loose Forward 93 1.87 25 Wigan Warriors Academy
14 Flag of England Liam Colbon Right Wing 92 1.87 23 Wigan Warriors Academy
15 Flag of England Andy Coley Prop 108 1.89 29 Salford City Reds
16 Flag of Samoa Harrison Hansen Second Row 89 1.84 22 Wigan Warriors Academy
17 Flag of England Michael Mcilorum Hooker 79 1.74 20 Wigan Warriors Academy
19 Flag of Ireland Paul Prescott Prop 99 1.90 21 Wigan Warriors Academy
20 Flag of England Karl Pryce Centre 118 1.98 21 Gloucester RU
21 Flag of Australia Cameron Phelps Centre 89 1.78 23 Canterbury Bulldogs
22 Flag of England Joel Tomkins Second Row 95 1.88 20 Wigan Warriors Academy
23 Flag of England Ben Kavanagh (On loan To Widnes Vikings) Second Row 107 1.84 20 Wigan Warriors Academy
24 Flag of Ireland Eamon O'Carroll Prop 103 1.80 20 Wigan Warriors Academy
25 Flag of England Thomas Coyle (On loan to Halifax RLFC) Scrum Half 83 1.71 20 Wigan Warriors Academy
26 Flag of England Nicky Stanton Right Wing 85 1.80 21 Wigan Warriors Academy
27 Flag of England Lee Mossop Prop 104 1.85 19 Wigan Warriors Academy
28 Flag of England Mark Flanagan Loose Forward 90 1.74 20 Bradford Bulls
29 Flag of England Sam Tomkins Stand Off 77 1.80 19 Wigan Warriors Academy
30 Flag of Australia Tim Smith Scrum Half 92 1.80 23 Unattached

[edit] Notable Former Players




† denotes a member of the Wigan Rugby League Hall of Fame

[edit] Honours

  • Challenge Cup:1923/24, 1928/29, 1947/48, 1950/51, 1957/58, 1958/59, 1964/65, 1984/85, 1987/88, 1988/89, 1989/90, 1990/91, 1991/92, 1992/93, 1993/94, 1994/95, 2002 (17 times)
  • Regal Trophy:982/83, 1985/86, 1986/87, 1988/89, 1989/90, 1992/93, 1994/95, 1995/96 (8 times)
  • Lancashire League: 1901/02, 1908/09, 1910/11, 1911/12, 1912/13, 1913/14, 1914/15, 1920/21, 1922/23, 1923/24, 1925/26, 1945/46, 1946/47, 1949/50, 1951/52, 1958/59, 1961/62, 1969/70 (18 times)
  • Lancashire Cup: 1905/06, 1908/09, 1909/10, 1912/13, 1922/23, 1928/29, 1938/39, 1946/47, 1947/48, 1948/49, 1949/50, 1950/51, 1951/52, 1966/67, 1971/72, 1973/74, 1985/86, 1986/87, 1987/88, 1988/89, 1992/93 (21 times)

[edit] Records

[edit] Player records

  • Most tries in a season: 62 by Johnny Ring, 1925-6
  • Most points in a season: 423 by Frano Botica 1994-5
  • Most career goals: 2317 by Jim Sullivan,
  • Most career points: 4883 by Jim Sullivan,
  • Most career appearances: 774 by Jim Sullivan,
  • Most International Test caps: 36 by Shaun Edwards (Great Britain)

[edit] Team records

  • Biggest victory: 116-0 vs Flimby & Fothergill, 14 February 1925
  • Heaviest defeat: 75-0 vs St Helens, Powergen Challenge Cup Quarter Final, Knowsley Road, St Helens 26 June 2005
  • Highest attendance: 47,747 vs St Helens, 27 March 1959
    • Highest attendance at the JJB (not including football): 25,004 (March 2005 vs St Helens)
  • Their heaviest defeat in the European Super League was 70-0 (Leeds Rhinos, Headingley stadium, Leeds, 18th June 2005 Att 18,177)

[edit] Trivia

 This section does not cite any references or sources. (April 2008)
Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.
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The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones.
  • Wigan have only won 1 of their last 11 matches against St Helens.
  • Wigan are the only club to have won the Championship 3 times in a row.
  • Wigan won the Championship 7 times in a row from 1989/90 to 1995/96.
  • Wigan are the only British club to win the World Club Challenge in Australia
  • Wigan were the first and last winners of the Lancashire Cup.
  • Wigan were the first winners of the British Grand Final.
  • Wigan supplied a record 13 tourists for the 1989 Great Britain team a record held by themselves before.
  • Wigan and Bradford are the only rugby league teams to have won the Middlesex 7s Rugby Union tournament
  • Wigan have broken the World Record Transfer fee 8 times including the triple signings of Ellery Hanley , Joe Lydon and Andy Gregory in 1986. They currently hold the record of £450,000 for Stuart Fielden

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Wigan sack Raper", BBC Sport, 2003-07-29. 
  2. ^ "Gregory in health scare", BBC Sport, 2004-04-26. 
  3. ^ "Wigan replace Moran with Dobson", BBC Sport, 2006-05-25. 
  4. ^ "Fielden in shock switch to Wigan", BBC Sport, 2006-06-22. 
  5. ^ a b "Wigan docked two points for salary breach", Manchester Evening News, 2006-05-25. 
  6. ^ "Lindsey to retire from Wigan role", BBC Sport, 2007-07-30. 
  7. ^ "Lenagan takes over at Wigan Warriors", Wigan Today, 2007-10-24. 
  8. ^ Wigan History - 1800 To Now

[edit] External links

Wigan Warriors Rugby League Football Club
Wigan Warriors
History • Records • Stadium • Players • Honours
Seasons
2006 • 2007 • 2008
Stadiums
Folly Field (1872-1877) • Prescott Street (1877-1901) • Springfield Park (1901-1902) •
Central Park (1902-1999) • JJB Stadium (1999-)
Captains
Andrew Farrell (1998-2005) • Sean O'Loughlin (2006-)
Coaches
Andy Goodway • John Monie (1995-1997) • Frank Endacott (1999-2001) • Stuart Raper (2001-2003) • Mike Gregory (2003-2005)
Denis Betts (2004-2005) • Ian Millward (2005-2006) • Brian Noble (2006-present)
v • d • e
Super League
Super League Seasons: I · II · III · IV · V · VI · VII · VIII · IX · X · XI · XII · XIII