May 2002
30th May 2002.David Plange has announced that he is very close to signing a prominent super league player in the next few days,Plange has been encouraged by meetings with the players agent and things are at an advanced stage for the player who Plange describes as as immense talent.Not wishing to reveal the identity of the player concerned ,he did say that the player was a strong aggresive player who would go a long way in helping the Wire turn the season around."We are at the moment crossing the T's and dotting the I's,we should be able to make an announcement soon" said Plange.Plange also admits to a keen interest in signing Bobby Goulding but as yet has not spoken to the player.He has heard on the grapevine that Goulding is keen to join the Wire but feels quite rightly that Salford will be reluctant to let him go.Plange remarked" Bobby has all the qualities that we are looking for and he's still got plenty in the tank,he's a stage in his career where he will be looking to secure a contract for next year,so he would be determined to play wll for us.Besides players always play well against their former clubs ,Bobby has played for nearly every club ib the league and so in theory he should be outstanding in every game.David Plange is expected to field the side that lost at Halifax when the Wire come up against Bradford on Sunday.A half back is still on David Plange's shopping list he is at the moment in discussion with two players he will not reveal who they are but he believes they are interested in signing for Warrington and he is hoping that one of them will soon be filling the gap left by Matt Rodwell.Lee Briers says" it is an honour to captain the club and the extra responsibility is something I will revel in"
Warrington Wolves Supporters Trust,leaflets including an application form will be handed out at the Bradford game on Sunday.It will continue to provide the same benefits and activities,it will alsotry to assist the Warrington club in finacial ways .For information contact Richard Shanks on 01925 827711.Warrington's Primary link community programme has coached over 45,000 schoolchildren in Rugby League in the Warrington area.
Crosfields Amateur Rugby League club players Richard Hough and John Pickersgill have won sponsorship deals to play for Otahuhu Leopards in New Zealand for 3 months.Latchford Albion ARLFC start their preseason training at Victoria Park on June 6th All are welcome ,for info Mike Byron 07769688995.Rylands's ARLFC open age training has started Rylands club Gorsey Lane Thursday 30th 7pm all welcome.
Former Woolston Rovers and Crosfields centre Mike Callon 18 has been promoted to the first team squad from the senior academy side after a number of good performances.
25th May 2002.Lee Briers was the Saint and the Sinner today at Halifax he kept Wire in front with a super league record equaling 5 drop goals Which along with a Halliwell try and Briers conversion saw Wire heading for victory ,a tenacious defensive stint seemed to have kept Halifax at bay ,but an errant kick down field by Briers went straight into touch giving Halifax six tackles on the half way line,they put together a good set which saw them score in the last seconds,Briers was mortified and had to be consoled by team mates. HALIFAX 16-11 WARRINGTON.Tries: Halifax Tries: Tickle Woods Cardiss Goals: Tickle (2) Warrington Tries: Halliwell Goals Briers :Drop Goals Briers (5)
23rd May 2002.Lee Briers has been appointed Wire captain after the retirement of Matt Rodwell,the 23 year old will take the armband at Halifax on Sunday.David Plange is targeting a number of Super League scrum halves in the hope of getting one of them to Warrington,Plange said "We need an experienced player because our league position dictates that we cannot wait to develope a player."Graham Appo is confident of making the grade at Warrington as a try scoring centre,"I intend to provide speed and invention at the back,my fitness is not what it should be and I hope to improve over the weeks."Wire have signed the brother of Wigan's Paul Johnson, Hooker Johnson, Wigan academy player Damian Simms and Rosebridge back rower Craig Farimond have all joined Warrington on professional terms.Warrington have announce that plans are at an advanced stage concerning a ground share with an as yet unnamed soccer club New plans have been released concerning the layout for the new stadium, More on the plans on a dedicated page.
22nd May 2002.Matt Rodwell decides to retire from the game with a persistant groin injury,he is in his first year of a two year deal .
21st May 2002. Matt Rodwell who is facing 2 months out of the game with a groin injury which needs surgery is talking with Wire executives with a view to cutting short his stay at Warrington and going home,Matt recently was at the forefront of an incident with a group of unhappy so called fans,and was not best pleased about it.
19th May 2002.Lee Briers has become only the ninth player in the clubs history to score 1000 points.This was achieved at Castleford on Sunday when Lee scored a total of 16 points.Briers was delighted to hear of his achievement. "It's excellent,I didn't realise I was that close to the mark. It's a great feat and my intention is to go on scoring more for Warrington". He also holds the club record of points in a match with 40 againstYork in 2000.Briers and the club rejected an offer from Widnes coach Neil Kelly to take him on loan for the rest of the season and Plange revealed that it was "no longer a foregone conclusion" that he would be exiting Wilderspool when his contract expires at the end of the season. Talking to Squadbuilder members in the Touchdown club last week the Warrington coach added that Briers has hinted he is considering seeking a new deal from the ambitious club and "the door is open at any time" for him to discuss terms with Plange.
19th May 2002.Sloppy defence again cost the Wire dear after pulling back to 22-10 at half time courtesy of Lee Briers ,Warrington let it slip big time in the second half despite scoring a further 14 points they allowed Castleford to score 24 ,David Plange has a fair bit of work to do before next weeks bottom of the table clash with Halifax ,a game Wire must win to lift themselves up the table,the only consolation is that the other teams at the bottom also lost.
CASTLEFORD 46 Tries: Mather Pryce-Hudson Eager (2) Lynch Smith Wells Goals: Bartrim (7) WARRINGTON 24 Tries: Briers Burns O'Reilly Goals :Briers (6) H/T:22-10 ATT:6,175
18th May 2002.Wolves are still struggling with a number of players carrying injuries Matt Rodwell is a case in point,he is however named in the squad to face Castleford on Sunday as are new signings Appo and Watts ,full team is as follows Smyth, Watts, Rivett, Burns, Alstead, Briers, Rodwell, Laughton, Clarke, Hilton, Guisset, Marquet, Domic: Subs from Hill, Fozzard, Noone, Wood ,Hulse, Appo, Halliwell.
16th May 2002.today announced the signing of Graham Appo until the end of the season,Appo aged 28 flies into Warrington today from France where his season with Lezignan Rugby League team ended at the championship semi final stage.The ex Sydney City and Nth Queensland utility back scored ten tries in nine appearances for Huddersfield last season before injury curtailed his season.David Plange said at the moment we are looking at some Union players with league experience ,there are a couple of big names that pop up and we are chasing them hard to see if we can do something.Wire also signed on a Months loan Australian Mike Watts who has played for Illawarra he has a British passport and has been playing for Wire Partner team Chorley.
Warrington received a financial boost when Tesco gave the naming rights for the new stadium to the Wolves the rights are worth up to £1 million pounds, Tesco have also said they will not require any money off Warrington ,Negotiations can now take place with interested parties who might wish to name the stadium for up to 10 years.Cllr Mike Hughes along with residents from nearby Watkin Street have given their support to the new stadium,Cllr Hughes who controversially opposed the stadium when the idea was first mooted,Watkin Street residents association will continue dialogue with the club and Tesco to get the best for both parties.
14th May 2002. Wolves will continue to 'manage' injuries being carried by skipper Matt Rodwell and prop forward Dale Laughton as preparations begin for Sunday's Super League battle at Castleford Tigers.Both Rodwell and Laughton gave their best efforts despite their injuries in the epic 44-36 defeat to St. Helens on Sunday.Rodwell and Laughton missed certain parts of the defeat.Head coach David Plange said: "Matt has been struggling for quite a while with his groin injury and we've probably got to manage him a little bit better through the week in training in order to get him through games.It is the same with Dale. He's struggling with his back and that's something that's going to be with him for the full season. Again we'll simply have to manage him and take advice off our medical staff as we try to get him in as best condition as we can going into a game."There is further news on the injury front. Scans have revealed that vice-captain Dean Busby could be out for up to six weeks with ankle trouble.Utility man Tom O'Reilly has had an injection in a foot injury and is due back in full training this week to try for a place in the Castleford game
12th May 2002.St Helens held off a spirited fightback from the Wolves to move to within two points of Super League leaders Bradford Bulls. The Saints ran in eight sparkling tries, including Keiron Cunningham's 100th for the club. Wolves debutant Danny Halliwell grabbed one of six tries as the hosts mounted a late revival, but Saints held on. If Wire keep up the spirit and commitment shown in this game he rest of the season should be a lot better than the start the team has had.
WARRINGTON 36-44 ST HELENS Tries: Briers Alstead Smyth Clarke Halliwell Wood Goals: Briers (6) Saints TriesWellens Albert (2) Hoppe Cunningham Edmonson (2) Jonkers Sculthorpe (6) H/T: 12-34 Att: 8,750
9th May 2002..Wire centre Kevin Crouthers is back in training with Warrington ,after being released following a poor performance against Wigan Crouthers took the option of playing for the Wires football partners Chorley Lynx untill he can get a place back in the Wire team.Head Coach Plange said"Kevin is determined to show us that he is worth a place in Super League,and if that means going to Chorley for as long as it takes he will do so. Wolves have signed Halifax Blue Sox three quarter Danny Halliwell on a month's loan.Mark Gleeson has been released by Warrington so that he can spend time with his family in Australia where he will continue to play amateur Rugby League Warrington will hold his registration in the hope he may return to play for the Wolves.Darren Burns andMatt Ridwell were singled out for praise by Wire coach David Plange after the win at Hull Sunday last,Burns was exceptional in the unfamiliar centre spot and Matt also had a big game." I can catagorically say that the performance against Hull would not have happened without the influence of Matt Rodwell " said Plange.Nick fozzard said that securing the future of coach David Plange was a prime mover in the win at Hull ,"David is a top class coach and is the man to steer the team in the future "said Fozzard.Neil Turley has decided to stay at NFP side Leigh and reject a move to Superleague.Simon Houghton's wages are too high for Warrington to offer him a contract ,It would not fit in with our salary structure said coach Plange.
7th May 2002.Leigh Centurions full-back Neil Turley could be on his way to Super League Warrington Wolves. Centurions have received a cash bid from Wolves for the 22-year-old, who scored 56 tries last season a world record for a full-back. Chairman Mike Nolan said: "We have neither accepted nor rejected it. We've let them talk, but want to retain him." Turley played origin football for Lancashire last season. Warrington centre Kevin Crouthers has joined the NFP outfit after being released by the Wolves last week.Dale Cardoza has signed for Doncaster Dragons after being told by the Wire that his services were no longer required.
5th May 2002.Wire come good.Three early drop goals from Briers gave Warrington an early lead Rodwell and Rivett scored tries for the Wire before a late 80 yarder from Briers gave Warrington a much needed win ,a win that must have gave new coach David Plange some hope for the future .HULL 16 Kohe-Love,Chester, Mackay Goals: Crowther (2)......... WARRINGTON 19 Tries: Rivett, Rodwell,Briers,Goals: Briers (2) Drops: Briers (3) Attendance: 7,398
3rd May 2002.Fans are being urged to get behind the new coaching duo of David Plange and Paul Derbyshire,at the time that the club's director are meeting with their stadium development partners to discuss the details of the new stadium.Supporters frustrated by the teams worst start to a season ever, staged a sit down protest at the railway end of the ground,then protested outside the ground later,Anderson has accepted full responsibility for the poor start and David Plange hopes that supporters will accept him taking over as a new start for the club He said "Everyone is aware that Steve is no longer at the club,and that myself Paul Derbyshire and Gary Chambers who is on the first team staff are coaching the club ." We feel we deserve an opportunity to show what we can do without any outside interference,resulting from Steve's departure there is not a problem with the players ." In fairness there has been a little bit of confusion as to who was actually running the team,with Steve's departure it is no longer an issue .He also stated that the London game was the first in charge for the new coaching team and on the whole was pleased with the effort and committment from the team"The players showed pride in the jersey and that has to be recognised "he added.Warrington Borough Council Leader John Gartside said the clubs Rugby Super League status was important for the town."There would be a sense of bereavement if we lost Super League.But I think it is a bit early to be talking about relegation," added Councillor Gartside.He urged Wire fans to show support for Plange and the team who he believes has been working hard for the team and has been unfairly criticised in some quarters.