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Wire v Wigan, new year's day 1988


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Posted

 

I was at this game, in the old Fletcher End of Wilderspool. The whole place has gone now.

Some of the greatest names in rugby history played in this match - Dessie Drummond, John Woods, Sir Les Boyd, Andy Gregory, Ellery Hanley.

The game has changed massively but the memories remain.

 

 

Anyone got the rest of the video?  :ph34r:


Posted

"The unacceptable face of rugby league".

Whatever it was, it brought the fans in loud droves. Where do I start with all the things I love about this video?

It was a different time

Posted

"The unacceptable face of rugby league".

Whatever it was, it brought the fans in loud droves. Where do I start with all the things I love about this video?

It was a different time

It was a very different time, but fans out in their droves? There was a crowd of just over 7,000 for this game.

Posted

I was at that game too. The incident between Goodway and Cullen was incredible and it was right in front of me. Goodway took out Cullen with a high tackle and was sent off (10 minutes I think). As he went past Cullen he stood on him so Cullen got up chased after him and went absolutely nuts... "the unacceptable face of Rugby League". For me as an 18 year old in the crowd it was great.

Say what you like about Cullen now but for him to take on Andy Goodway like that he was one tough guy.

"The history of the world is the history of the triumph of the heartless over the mindless." — Sir Humphrey Appleby.

"If someone doesn't value evidence, what evidence are you going to provide to prove that they should value it? If someone doesn't value logic, what logical argument could you provide to show the importance of logic?" — Sam Harris

Posted

You can just make out Tony Barrow's animated reaction to Cullen losing it.

 

I think it finished 15 each, but I may be wrong.

 

 

 

I've also still not forgiven Wigan for taking Andy Gregory. That was the end of our serious challenge in my opinion.

Posted

You can just make out Tony Barrow's animated reaction to Cullen losing it.

 

I think it finished 15 each, but I may be wrong.

 

 

 

I've also still not forgiven Wigan for taking Andy Gregory. That was the end of our serious challenge in my opinion.

 

Everyone knew where Gregory was heading, it was just that Widnes wouldn't let him go to Wigan. Warrington was always a stop gap.

Visit my photography site www.padge.smugmug.com

Radio 5 Live: Saturday 14 April 2007

Dave Whelan "In Wigan rugby will always be king"

 

This country's wealth was created by men in overalls, it was destroyed by men in suits.

Posted

Great players on both sides and not averse to a bit of biff. I actually preferred the game back in those days, it seemed a lot more 'off the cuff'. I didn't make the game sadly, due to it being my eldest lads first Christmas/new year and, as such, had to do the family rounds.

Posted

Bring back proper referees in Black. Those awful yellow outfits make them blend in. They just look more official in those old outfits.

 
 
 
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​THE NORTH OF ENGLAND WITH A POPULATION OF NEARLY 17 MILLION PEOPLE IS THE TRUE EXPANSION AREA FOR RUGBY LEAGUE........IF IT CAN'T EXPAND HERE, WHERE CAN IT EXPAND?
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Posted

It was a very different time, but fans out in their droves? There was a crowd of just over 7,000 for this game.

 

 

Fri Jan 1st   Warrington 15 Wigan 15 10056 b.png

 

Yep, there sure was + 3000 more which would have packed Wilderspool.

 

I was at Hilton Park that day watching Leigh 'Nil' a Salford side led by Garry Jack.

 

I soon had the Micron video of this to hand a couple of days later. 'Brutal' !! lol

Posted

That late eighties Warrington team were probably the dirtiest I've seen in my time watching RL. Never saw Wigan in quite the same light, although they clearly turned up for a fight in this game. Visiting Wilderspool as a spectator always felt like you might be in a punch-up, too, so not really feeling the nostalgia. I do think RL could be better to watch then, more unpredictable. It's a shame that the winning the tackle and PTB has come to dominate the game in the way it does now.

 

Have you tried rugbyleaguedvds.com - would be surprised if it's not there to watch.

Posted

That late eighties Warrington team were probably the dirtiest I've seen in my time watching RL. Never saw Wigan in quite the same light, although they clearly turned up for a fight in this game. Visiting Wilderspool as a spectator always felt like you might be in a punch-up, too, so not really feeling the nostalgia. I do think RL could be better to watch then, more unpredictable. It's a shame that the winning the tackle and PTB has come to dominate the game in the way it does now.

Have you tried rugbyleaguedvds.com - would be surprised if it's not there to watch.

I remember talking to several fans of other clubs over the years and many of them said the same, Wilderspool was an intimidating place to visit. And yes, the Wire team of the 80's we're better know for picking up red cards more than trophies. Still loved it back then though.
Posted

I was there that day and we found Cullen's reaction one of the funniest things we had ever seen. If he doesn't react the game was Wire's for the taking.

They were a scary side and Wilderspool a terrifying experience. They had corrugated iron at the back of the main home terrace and so could make an ominous drumming. It was like the orcs in Moria.

Posted

Sir les was known for his aggressive play but he had more skills than any front rowers that have graced super league.

Posted

Sir les was known for his aggressive play but he had more skills than any front rowers that have graced super league.

Boyd was skillful for a big man but James Graham has a better passing game and Cuthbertson a better offload.

"The history of the world is the history of the triumph of the heartless over the mindless." — Sir Humphrey Appleby.

"If someone doesn't value evidence, what evidence are you going to provide to prove that they should value it? If someone doesn't value logic, what logical argument could you provide to show the importance of logic?" — Sam Harris

Posted

Sir les was known for his aggressive play but he had more skills than any front rowers that have graced super league.

 

That clip also shows that sarcastically applauding opposition players for a mistake and moaning to the referee are not new things in the game. His real skills were mostly in the skulduggery against the other team's stars department as far as I could see, although fine turn of speed and pass for one of the Wire tries. You certainly wouldn't have looked forward to playing against him, or even tackling him on the burst. Some great players on both sides; Des Drummond would've been even better in today's game, I think.

Posted

Ellery Hanley - sometimes you just need reminding how brilliant he was.

Two teams absolutely packed full of talent yet Hanley stands out. He was such a wonderful player.

"The history of the world is the history of the triumph of the heartless over the mindless." — Sir Humphrey Appleby.

"If someone doesn't value evidence, what evidence are you going to provide to prove that they should value it? If someone doesn't value logic, what logical argument could you provide to show the importance of logic?" — Sam Harris

Posted

Have very fond memories of that team, it was what got me hooked on rl, but there are a lot of overstated views on how good and dirty some of those players were.

And the atmosphere at Wilderspool. 70% of the time it was average at best.

Des Drummond was brilliant entertainment, but his ball handling was miles behind current wingers for example.

Posted

My old mate Kevin Allott had the misfortune to be the ref that day. Not one of his fondest memories.

"it is a well known fact that those people who most want to rule people are, ipso facto, those least suited to do it."

Posted

Love it! Two of my earliest RL memory's in that clip, The outstanding skills of the great Ellery Hanley (What a shame he isn't in some way involved in RL anymore) & Les Boyd being sent from the field. Les lives close buy and is a very decent bloke in complete contrast to the mad man I remember on the RL field.

Posted

Drives the beer truck

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