December 2004
28th December. The Boxing Day Wire FM challenge finally went ahead in front of 6.950 fans, Widnes won the game 6-12 but I should imagine Warrington were happiest with the result considering this was a full strength Widnes team, according to their coach Frank Endacott and very much a Warrington second string.Warrington 1 Chris Hull 2 Phil Berry 3 Toa Kohe-Love 4 Ben Westwood 5 Dean Gaskell 6 Paul Noone 7 Simon Grix 8 Danny Lima 9 Jon Clarke 10 Steve Pickersgitl 1 1 Andy Bracek 12 Chris Baines 13 Mike Wainwright Subs 14 Jamie Durbin 15 Anthony Jerram 16 Ben Harrison 17 Matty Bryers 18 Zac Elston 19Jon Pickersgill 20 Craig Ashall Try: Westwood (61) Goal: Hull. Widnes: 1 Gary Connolly 2 Misili Manu 3 Andrew Emelio 4 John Whittle 5 Paul Ballard 6 Owen Craigie 7 Stephen Myler 8 Terry O'Connor 9 Shane Millard 10 Julian O'Neill 11 MickCassidy 12 JohnStankevitch 13 Daniel Frame Subs 14 Tim Holmes 15MattWhittaker 16 Steve Nash 17 David Mills 18 Phil Wood 19 Steve Rowlands 20 Sala Fa'alogo Tries: Millard (24), Holmes (79) Goals: Myler, Rowlands
27th December. Well I was there waiting patiently for the game to begin, a litle huddle of people were on the pitch pitchforks were being dug into the turf much too-ing and fro-ing then the Warrington Players came out, looking good thought I , I heard a nearby steward who was listening to his radio set say" it's off", sure enough the Wire players left the pitch, the small group of people in the middle of the pitch retired to warmer parts and the tannoy announced the replay for Tuesday 3pm .,collect new tickets on the way out see you soon.
21st December. Wolves Squad Numbers 2005 Our squad number policy is a statement of intent it rewards achievement, it reflects recruitment and it challenges performance. All players affected by the re-shuffle have responded professionally and dynamically.
Numbers are:
1. Brent Grose
2. Henry Fa’afili
3. Martin Gleeson
4. Toa Kohe Love
5. Dean Gaskell
6. Lee Briers
7. Nathan Wood
8.Chris Leikvoll
9. Jon Clarke
10. Mark Hilton
11. Logan Swann
12. Mike Wainwright
13. Paul Noone
14. Mark Gleeson
15. Ben Westwood
16. Paul Wood
17. Danny Lima
18. Graham Appo
19. Darryl Cardiss
20. Warren Stevens
21. Simon Grix 22.
Steve Pickersgill
23. Andy Bracek
24. Phil Berry
Phil Berry, 18 has featured in both the U18s and U21s this year and was a member of the winning U18s Grand Final team. Phil played for the first team against New Zealand A and Wire FM Boxing Day challenge in 2003 and against Leigh Centurions in the friendly at the start of this season and his dedication has paid off with a first team squad place for Super League X.
Wolves Head Coach has named his squad to face Widnes Vikings on Boxing Day in the Wire FM Challenge at The Halliwell Jones Stadium, kick off 3:00pm. Daryl Cardiss, Phil Berry, Ben Westwood, Toa Kohe Love, Dean Gaskell, Simon Grix, Graham Appo, Danny Lima, Jon Clarke, Steve Pickersgill, Andrew Bracek, Mike Wainwright,, Paul Noone, Subs: Jamie Durbin Chris Hull, Anthony Jerram, Craig Ashall, Ben Harrison, Matty Bryers, Zac Elston, Chris Baines, Craig Ashall, 18 centre/halfback a player with good vision, support play and kicking game that has featured in the U18s Academy in 2004 and earned himself a place in the winning team of the Grand Final. Chris started his rugby at the Wolves after joining the Scholarship scheme from Golborne Parkside ARLFC. Also a talented footballer who was on Manchester United's books. Chris progressed so well last year that he was selected as 18th Man for the first team in Round 24 v London Broncos Away. Chris Baines, 18 a forward who has featured in the U18s and U21s set ups this year and played in the winning U18s Grand Final side this season. Originally signed from Wigan St Patrick's and has been working his way through the Academy system at the Wolves. Phil Berry, 18 has featured in both the U18s and U21s this year and was a member of the winning U18s Grand Final team. Phil played for the first team against New Zealand A and Wire FM Boxing Day challenge in 2003 and against Leigh Centurions in the friendly at the start of this season.
16th December. WARRINGTON Wolves are to field their strongest team available in the Boxing Day friendly against fierce rivals Widnes Vikings. There are nine Super League regulars in the starting 13 named by Paul Cullen this week, including new recruit Toa Kohe-Love. It will be the start of the New Zealander's second spell with the club and will tie his first outing since a knee reconstruction earlier this year. Wolves fans will be treated to cheering on some favourites in action, like Australian prop Danny Lima and Warringtonian back rower Mike Wainwright, and there will be a chance to see new young blood in primrose and blue too. Cullen is to hand debuts to Academy internationals Simon Grix, aged 19, signed from Halifax, at stand off and Andy Bracek, aged 18, captured from St Helens, in the back row. A glut of players who helped Wolves win the junior Academy Division One Grand Final in October are also in the reckoning, including prop Steve Pickersgill who has been promoted to the full-time ranks. Wolves are expecting Widnes Vikings coach Frank Endacott to bring his strongest possible 13 with him for what looks set to be a competitive clash at The Halliwell Jones Stadium, kick-off 3pm.
Wolves: Daryl Cardiss; Phil Berry, Ben Westwood, Toa Kohe-Love, Dean Gaskell; Simon Grix, Graham Appo; Danny Lima, Jon Clarke, Steve Pickersgill, Andy Bracek, Mike Wainwright, Paul Noone. Subs from: Jamie Durbin, Chris Hull, Anthony Jerram, Craig Ashall, Ben Harrison, Matty Briers, Zac Elston and Chris Baines. Harrison's appearance will be of particular note in that he is only 16-years-old. He is a highly regarded tall and powerful back rower from Barrow, who has taken a week off school to be able to give full-time preparation to the game along with the rest of the first team players.
Wolves have 11 players missing who can be considered Super League regulars. Neither Lee Briers (finger), Mark Gleeson (shoulder), Paul Wood (shoulder) or Mark Hilton (nose) will be risked following reconstructive surgery. Warren Stevens misses out too after a knee operation. Overseas players Brent Grose, Nathan Wood and Chris Leikvoll do not return until the New Year and Martin Gleeson, Logan Swann and Henry Fa'afili are on late holidays following international duties. Tickets for the game are on sale at the club's shop or alternatively fans can pay on the turnstiles on the day. The Halliwell Jones Stadium is to stage its first student international match on Sunday. Great Britain Students will tackle their Australian counterparts in the second of two Tests for the Academic Ashes. Sunday's match will kick-off at 5pm and admission is £5 including a programme.
A PIONEERING rugby league partnership in Warrington has scooped a national award. The programme, which links schools and clubs with the Warrington Wolves, was named the best of its kind at a ceremony last Wednesday. The best service award, handed out for the first time, praises the programme in Warrington which works with all 72 primary schools, 11 high schools and eight amateur clubs, for raising standards through training for players, coaches and officials. Neil Kelly, rugby league development officer in Warrington, said: "When we first started five years ago we. only had a handful of schools involved and three amateur clubs. "Since then the profile of rugby has boomed and we have also had the building of the new stadium." A spokesman for Warrington Wolves said: "The fact is the development of the game would not happen if it was not for the commitment of volunteers."
9th December.GRAHAM Appo is prepared to make any sacrifice to rediscover the 'dream team' form he showed in 2003 and to secure a contract extension at the end of the year. The 30-year-old utility back, pictured right, has turned his back on daily golf and surfing trips on the sun kissed Australian Gold Cost to return early for pre-season training with Warrington Wolves. He has vowed to work like a Trojan to get himself at peak fitness for the start of the season and he is willing to play in any position on the park. Appo showed sparkling form at stand off in 2003 as a fill in for injured skipper Lee Briers. The Aussie revelled in the extra creative responsibility after moving in from the wing and would love nothing more than to regain a half back role in 2005. But he accepts that the team comes first and he will be happy with any starting slot, specially after such an anticlimactic second full season at the club. Appo was dogged by hamstring problems in 2004. He missed seven of Wolves' first 10 games and struggled with fitness and form.He said: "The hamstring problems were always at the back of my mind last year. They were hard to come back from but hopefully that's all behind me now and I'll have a good year. "My contract runs out at the end of the season and it is up to me to prove my worth. I would like to stay here for another couple of years but Paul Cullen has brought in a lot of backs. "There's going to be plenty of cut throat competition next season but if I train hard anything can happen. "I've been training with Tommy O'Reilly back home. We have been doing plenty of weight work and I feel strong - stronger than last year that's for sure." Appo is set to play all of the club's pre-season friendlies at stand off. His aim is to play well and stake an early claim for a half back slot in Super League X. Dave Lawrenson
WARRINGTON Wolves' skipper Lee Briers is now in full swing of his pre-season preparations with 'no holds barred'. The specialist who rebuilt the finger that Briers broke during the 2004 campaign has given him the all-clear. And the news is also good for two other Wolves players who have had reconstructive surgery since the end of last season. Paul Wood and Mark Gleeson, who have each had a shoulder re-built, are ahead of schedule in their recovery. Head coach Paul Cullen reports that pre-season training is going well and that sessions have been 'intense and full-on'.
Club says Swann will be available despite assault WARRINGTON Wolves officials have spoken after new signing Logan Swann admitted an assault charge. Reports suggested Swann was likely to miss the start of the new season but Wolves are optimistic he will be available for the Super League X clash at London Broncos on February 13, 2005. Head coach Paul Cullen said: "The club expect him to fulfil his obligations and be here for pre-season training as planned." The 28-year-old Kiwi forward admitted assaulting a man in Auckland in May last year and will be sentenced on February 11 in New Zealand. Auckland District Court heard last week that the charge arose after he and two associates met the victim on May 4 last year, according to the New Zealand Herald. The victim asked Swann to show him a tackle, which the player did, nudging him with a shoulder in a mock way. The victim jested that it was not a proper tackle, which led to repeat moves, before Swann wrapped his arms around the victim, twisting his upper body and throwing him backwards to the ground. Swann landed on top, injuring the man.
WARREN Stevens has had a knee operation this week but he is expected to be fit for the start of Warrington Wolves' new season at London Broncos on February 13, 2005. During pre-season training the 26-year-old prop forward suffered a recurrence of the injury which led to him limping out of the clash against Leeds Rhinos on August 15. Head coach Paul Cullen said: "He had a cartilage trim, a clean-out, last Friday. He is responding very well and we expect him to be fit for the start of the season." A new DVD celebrating Warrington's first season at The Halliwell Jones Stadium, including every try, is due to go on sale at the club's Wolfware shop today, Thursday. Wolves sold more than 1,600 replica shirts inside seven days.
2nd December.WOLVES' record signing Martin Gleeson does not consider himself to be guaranteed a starting place every week in 2005 despite his heroics in helping Great Britain reach the inaugural Tri-Nations final! The centre capture from St Helens and his Lions teammates were sickeningly blitzed by Australia in Saturday's showdown at Elland Road but Gleeson impressed enough in the previous matches to be whetting the appetite of Wolves' fans for next season. Even on Saturday, in a humiliated national side, Gleeson looked dangerous each time he received the ball but, as in some previous Tri-Nations clashes, possession did not go his way often enough. Gleeson, who is on a break and returns to Wolves' pre-sea-son training in January, is now focusing on his first season at The Halliwell Jones Stadium. He said: "Warrington's back line for next year is looking very explosive. There are plenty of quality backs to pick from and it would be wrong for me to think that I'll be guaranteed to start every week. "Everyone's got to earn their place in the team. If you let yourself get in the comfort zone your game ends up going downhill and you sometimes don't even realise it. "In that situation a kick up the backside is usually what is needed. You have to keep learning and trying hard if you want to improve as a player and I certainly do." He considers teammate Brent Grose to be an 'awesome player' and another of his main rivals for the centre spots, New Zealander Toa Kohe-Love, is someone he has admired for years. Gleeson said: Toa Kohe-Love is a class player. When I was younger at Huddersfield, I looked upon Toa as being " one of the best players in the league. "I even used to model my game on his so it's going to be good playing alongside him. "Actually, I'm looking forward to playing with all three of the Kiwis that have followed me to Warrington. "Logan Swann has played at the top level for many years. He's a big bloke and I'm sure he will add plenty to the pack for us. "As for Henry Fa'afili, I played against him for Great Britain versus New Zealand in 2002. "He scored quite a few tries in that series and if he's my winger then hopefully I can put him in for plenty more tries. "I really fancy playing alongside him but I'm not really bothered who they put me with. My job is to put my winger away, whoever that may be." Gleeson has trained with Wolves but not pulled on a jersey for them due to signing for the club in July, midway through his four-month ban for betting against his own side to lose at Bradford on Easter Monday. He said: "It's been frustrating not being able to play for my new club. "All of the lads have welcomed me with open arms. I've had no problems settling in and I'm itching to line-up alongside them in a competitive match. "I have played against all of the players at Warrington but the only one that I've played alongside is Graham Appo. "So I'm really looking forward to the start of next year. . "From what I've seen in training we have ,a squad that has huge potential. "There is a lot of skill there. We are looking strong for next year and I'm confident that we'll get a top six spot at least."
Ist December .Martin Dawes Stand Wolfpack Season Tickets Warrington Wolves have seen a phenomenal take up in East Stand Family Tickets for Super League X, causing them to run out of Martin Dawes Stand (East) Wolfpack Season Ticket booklets. The Wolves have experienced a 180% increase in families purchasing a joint season ticket for the Martin Dawes Stand and an amazing 585% increase in Single Parent Families purchasing tickets for this Stand. As a result of this any new sales and those waiting to collect their Season Tickets for this Stand will not receive their booklets until the week before Christmas. Their availability will be announced on the Wolfweb and in the local media. Gina Coldrick, Media and PR Officer commented, "Due to a phenomenal rise in the uptake of our family season tickets, we have temporarily run out of our Martin Dawes Stand Wolfpack Season Ticket booklets. "As a result of the demand, these season tickets will be available the week before Christmas. The Wolves wish to apologise for any inconvenience caused."