October 2005
27th October.Warrington RLFC a club that was the instigator of a lot of the innovations that have made the game what it is today, eg 13 a side the club proposed this in 1906, 100 years ago this Friday Warrington became the first club to have numbers on their backs and with 15 a side still prevelent it was 1 to 15, the occasion was a Lancashire cup game at home the opponents were Leigh Wire lost the game 5-2 in front of 6,000. The team that day was : Jack Hallam (captain); Elliort Harris, Danny Isherwood, Ernie Jordan, T Kenyon; Ernie Brookes, Tom Hockenhall; Jack Preston, Alf Boardman, George Thomas, G Jolley, W Swift, T Cook, James Belton, Bill Harmer.
25th October. Half Term Fun: Haka Workshop Have some fun in the Half Term and perform your very own Haka before the England Vs New Zealand game on the 6th November 2.15pm KO, free tickets to all Haka participants. Warrington Wolves Foundation are pleased to offer some unique half term fun on Thursday 27th October at the Halliwell Jones Stadium: Learn the Haka, Dance of the Noble People. The workshop lasts from 10am-2pm on the Thursday and costs just £5 to learn all about this special dance and also take to the field on November 6th and perform at the Halliwell Jones Stadium prior to the England -v- New Zealand game. Places are limited so call (01925) 248894 to book your place now
21st October. England -v- New Zealand - 6th Nov Tickets are available online from www.wolfwareonline.com or by calling the Wolfware shop on 01925 248880 for this autumns International between England and New Zealand at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on Sunday 6th November. It may be the first opportunity for fans to see new Wolves signings Paul Rauhihi and Stuart Reardon as well as current squad members Paul Wood, Mark Gleeson and Ben Westwood. Ticket Prices are: North Stand Central seats - Adults £15 and Concessions £5 North Stand Wing seats - Adults £12 and Concessions £5 Martin Dawes East Stand (unreserved) seats - Adults £12, Concessions £5 and Family Ticket £20 (2 adults and 2 concessions) South & West Standing - Adults £10 and Concessions £3
19th October. Ben Westwood has had a contract extension that will keep him at the club until at least 2009, The Wire boss , saying: "Ben Westwood's improvement and further potential is visible and very encouraging. I am delighted to have the opportunity to work with Ben as his career progresses hopefully to full international standard in the forthcoming seasons." Westwood too was understandably happy to secure his future, adding: "I have really enjoyed my time at Warrington Wolves and working with Paul Cullen has given me the opportunity to develop my game. When I was given the chance to extend my future with the Club I did not have to hesitate; this Club is going places and I want to be part of that success."
Engage Super League Champions, Bradford Bulls, have announced that Prop Forward Rob Parker has been released from the final year of his contract and will join Warrington Wolves on a two year deal Parker, 24, has made 104 appearances scoring 17 tries since making his debut in 2000. Bulls Chairman Chris Caisley said today: “Rob has been outstanding for the club both on and off the field since he joined us. It is purely a business decision to release him based on Salary Cap implications and I’d like to thank him for his services and wish him every success in the future. He leaves with the best wishes of everyone at the club and I am sure he will have a great future in the sport.” Despite no International call up this season, the Wolves boss was also quick to point out the class of his latest recruit, saying: "We are delighted to have captured a young player with the experience and potential that Rob Parker has to offer. He's a player that we have admired for a considerable period because of his technical and tactical ability. Our squad is stronger and deeper with his inclusion." Leigh born Parker is happy to return to the west of the Pennines, he said: "I see Warrington as a team going places; it has a lot of potential with the stadium and its fan base. Warrington Wolves is very similar to Bradford it that respect. Also Warrington have some great Coaches, one that I have played alongside Mike Forshaw and the set up is very business like. I am looking forward to being part of the future here." Rob made his debut against St Helens during Super League V after he signed from Leigh East. He cemented a place in the Bulls side following the departure of Brian McDermott and has become a vital part of the Pack. He played in all the Bulls 32 games in 2004 and was rewarded for his efforts with the Captaincy of England for the European Nations Series.Parker was a travelling reserve for the game with Leeds Rhinos and was on the losing side in last year's final, said: "It was awful not playing but yet being there with the lads. "You want the lads to win well but you also want them to only just scrape it because you're not on the field with them. 1 don't see it as being selfish but you just want to do well for yourself. "The Bradford players were telling me that I had played my part during the year but it's not the same as playing in the Grand Final itself. "So I'm now ready for a ring next year with Warrington and I can't wait for the new season to start. "A couple of years ago I missed out on another Grand Final with Bradford and when you miss out it makes you strive to do better. So that's what I'll be doing and I'm now going to have three or four months of anger inside me before I can let it out next season while playing for Warrington."With one thing and another I kind of became the fall guy. Someone had to leave and it was me. "I've had some brilliant times with Bradford and it was a tough day on Sunday having a last beer with the lads after the previous day's Grand Final success. "But I don't think I'm making a bad move, in fact I think I'm being quite clever. Warrington Wolves are a team moving forward and when they came in for me - quite late in the day -1 had no thoughts about going anywhere else. "Three or four of the top six teams came in for me so I can't be that bad. I had good offers from the other clubs but when I looked at how Warrington had progressed this year, the stadium they have got and the fans they have got, everything seemed to be right."He said: "I admire Brian Noble but I've only ever been coached by him and I'm looking forward to a new challenge of being influenced by other people - coaches and players. I think Paul Cullen could get the best out of me." " Asked what he could bring to the Wire Parker commented "A bald head and big ears."
The 24-year-old Parker will have a minor 'clean-out' operation to get him ready for next season. Paul Cullen is delighted to have completed his 20/20 quota for 2006 with the recruitment of Parker after beating off competition for his signature from Leeds Rhinos and London Broncos. Cullen said: "He is a very talented utility forward. He has great presence in the front row and the back row and has done so with Bradford for a considerable period. "He's young, fresh and very enthusiastic. He has great technique and great tactical awareness. He is also very experienced and has regularly delivered for one of the best teams in the business - this was an opportunity and a deal that was too good to miss."
Lee Briers scored a try and came through uninjured when leading Wales to a 22-14 defeat of Mike Wainwright's Scotland in the opening European Nations Cup game at the weekend. However, back rower Wainwright suffered a recurrence of the foot injury that kept him out at the back end of Wolves' campaign and he is expected to take no further part in the series.
Nathan Wood has called time on his playing career after finding that he has been playing for a while with a neck injury,the problem came to light after seeking advice on a persistant hip injury.
International Wolves Martin Gleeson - Great Britain Centre Joining Wales Captain Lee Briers and Scotland back-rower Mike Wainwright on the International stage this autumn are a number of current and future Wolves players. Martin Gleeson retains his Great Britain berth whilst younger brother Mark has been called into Karl Harrisons England squad, due to face France and New Zealand in the next few weeks. Also called into the England squad are Ben Westwood and Paul Wood, along with new signing from Bradford Bulls Stuart Reardon and waiting "on-call" is winger Richie Barnett. Lining up for Kiwis against Australia and Great Britain is impact forward Paul Rauhihi, who recently penned a two year deal with the Wolves. The 18 stone prop made an impression in the first of the tri-nations games helping the Kiwis beat Australia 38-28 at the weekend in Sydney. Paul will play alongside former Wolves Nigel Vagana and David Kidwell.
Martin Gleeson - Great Britain
Paul Rauhihi - New Zealand
Lee Briers - Wales Captain
Mike Wainwright - Scotland
Mark Gleeson - England
Ben Westwood - England
Paul Wood - England
Stuart Reardon - England
Richie Barnett - England
18th October. 3 wire players and one soon to be make the England Squad for the game v New Zealand.England squad: Malcolm Alker (Salford), Ryan Bailey (Leeds), Mike Bennett (St Helens), Jamie Jones-Buchanan (Leeds), Mark Calderwood (Leeds), Chris Charles (Salford), Eorl Crabtree (Huddersfield), Ade Gardner (St Helens), Mark Gleeson (Warrington), Darrell Griffin (Wakefield), David Hodgson (Salford), Andy Lynch (Bradford), Richard Mathers (Leeds), Lee Radford (Bradford), Stuart Reardon (Bradford), Luke Robinson (Salford), Paul Sykes (London Broncos), Chris Thorman (Huddersfield, captain), Danny Ward (Leeds), Ben Westwood (Warrington), Paul Wood (Warrington). Standby: Barnett (Hull), Godwin (Wigan), Scruton (Leeds)
17th October.Step Out With Wolfie Step out with WolfieWednesday 26th October 2005 12-2pm Children must be accompanied by an adult Wear your Warrington Wolves shirt and come join Wolfie getting fit as he struts around the pitch at the Halliwell Jones Stadium and receive your free pedometer. On hand with information, advice and fun will be: RANGERS PRIMARY CARE TRUST WARRINGTON WOLVES WALKING FOR HEALTH ADVISORS FOOD AND HEALTH TEAM WARRINGTON BOROUGH COUNCIL See if you can walk around the pitch four times and complete a mile! Come and join us. Bring your bike along to our cycle maintenance class too! Delivered in conjunction with the PCT.
October Supporters' Trust Event Tuesday 18th October 7:30pm in the Vice Presidents Lounge, North Stand, Halliwell Jones Stadium. Meet Andy Gatcliffe, the Chief Executive and Steven Broomhead, the Deputy Chairman at 7:30pm on October 18th 2005 in the Vice Presidents Lounge, North Stand, Halliwell Jones Stadium. This will be your opportunity to ask questions about the club, to make your observations about what is good, what you would like to see changed and to find out about the possible future developments to the club. Admission is free to Trust members or £3 on the night to non-members.
Wolfware Closed Wolfware will be closed until 2pm on Tuesday 18th October for staff training. We apologise any inconvenience.
13th October. Warrington's move to the Halliwell Jones has resulted in Warrington making a profit of £69,336 in their first year at the ground following a loss of £56,100 in their last year at Wilderspool, the profit was made despite a payout of £225,000 on transfer fees which included the signing of Martin Gleeson. The club's turnover increased by 68 per cent from £2.63m in 2003 to a record high of £4.41m in 2004, with debts decreasing three per cent from £2.5m to £2.43m. Wolves, who completed a community learning and sports centre in June to add to a purpose-built healthcare facility, also received £100,000 in sponsorship last year from SJM Promotions Limited.
Warrington have confirmed that they are looking to sign Bradford prop Rob Parker, Wire were looking to sign a second rower but fitness doubts among the props has forced a rethink, Parker would fit the bill as he is a utility player, he does however have another year to run on his Bradford contract.Cullen commented, : "I can confirm we are in negotiations with yet another young England international forward with regards to a two-year contract." Parker,who is based in Leigh has played prop and second row for Bradford in 24 appearances last season, captained England to European Nations Cup success last year. The six-foot player was a member of Bradford's Challenge Cup winning side in 2003 and on the losing team in last year's Grand Final. Leikvoll's availability at the start of next year is in doubt after the surgeon found there was more damage than first thought. Steve Pickersgill also has a shoulder reconstruction planned and fellow prop Mark Hilton is seeing a specialist for a back problem, which currently leaves Wolves with problems at prop for the start of next season.
6th October. Lee Briers has been made Captain of Wales for the European Nations Cup, The 27-year-old stand-off takes the helm for the visit of Scotland to the Brewery Field, Bridgend, on 16 October. Briers missed the last two Nations Cup tournaments with injury and won the last of his 10 Wales caps in 2002. "Lee was the obvious choice, he's done really well at Warrington and always excels at international level," said new Wales coach Martin Hall. "I know he can do the job for us this autumn and bring the European Nations Cup back to Wales."
A number of Wire players have for the past few weeks been playing rugby with injuries that were not mentioned , John Clarke is to have an operation to repair a tear in his groin, and Chris Leikvoll has had surgery on a damaged shoulder, and Brent Grose who was voted Player of the year and player of the month in League Express has found out that he has had a hairline fracture of the wrist it is hoped however that rest will sort out the problem Brent is currently at home in Australia. Mark Hilton is to see a specialist concerning a persistant back problem that has been prevalent all year. Chris Riley has a broken hand he picked up in the last game he played in and prop Steve Pickesgill is likely to need an operation on a shoulder injury. Paul Cullen has a policy of not announcing players injuries so they are not targeted during games, this can sometimes bring criticism from supporters if a player is not at his best, but he feels fans may react better when the facts become known.Cullen said: "The off-season will run through October and players have been given an off-season training programme to follow. "Some of that programme will be done at the club but most of it will be done away from the club. "Pre-season training will start for some in the first week of November -that'll be for the players who are available as some have international duties. "All of the overseas players not involved in international matches will be in the country and starting their programmes as from November 1 and that's a first for this club. They've usually been given the luxury of turning up after Christmas but that won't be the case any more. "The internationals, who will be playing until the end of November, will come back with us for January 1." Cullen added: "We'll operate a five-game trial process through December and January and the pre-season camp in Lanzarote will be the third week in January, so we're well advanced and planned." Wire' s friendly dates are December 26 (away to Widnes, kick-off 3pm), January 1, January 15, January 29 and one other that will possibly be February 1.These dates are not set in stone so watch this space.
Warrington have 10 players who will be representing their country during October and November, Martin Gleeson is in the GB squad and Paul Rauhihi is in the NZ squad other NZ players are in consideration namely Logan Swann and Henry Fa'afili. Lee Briers is in the Welsh Squad and Mike Wainwright will be hoping to turn out for Scotland both in the European Nations Cup and Chris Bridge, Mark Gleeson, Ben Westwood and Paul Wood are in training with England ahead of dates with France and New Zealand.
International fixtures: Gillette Tri-Nations Tournament:
Oct 15, Australia v New Zealand, Sydney;
Oct 22, New Zealand v Australia, Auckland;
Oct 29, Great Britain v New Zealand, Loftus Road;
Nov 5, Great Britain v Australia, JJB Stadium;
Nov 12, Great Britain v New Zealand, Galpharm Stadium;
Nov 19, Great Britain v Australia, KC Stadium;
Nov 26, Tri-Nations Final, Elland Road. England internationals:
Oct 23, England v France, Headingley;
Nov 6, England v New Zealand, Halliwell Jones Stadium.
European Nations Cup: Group One: Ireland, Scotland, Wales. Group Two: France, Georgia, Russia.
Fixtures: Oct 15, France v Russia, Aries, 5pm (local time);
Oct 16, Wales v Scotland, Brewery Field, Bridgend, 3pm;
Oct 23, Russia v Georgia, Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, 3pm;
Oct 23, Scotland v Ireland, Glasgow Hawks RFC, 2.30pm;
Oct 29, Ireland v Wales, Terenure College RFC, Dublin, 3pm;
Oct 30, Georgia v France, National Stadium, Tbilisi, 7pm (local time);
Nov 5, European Na'fts^ Cup Final, Carcassone.
3rd October.Chambers to lead Cumbria Wolves assistant coach Gary Chambers has been re-appointed as the Cumbria county team head coach for the third successive year. The Cumbrian-born coach will be leading Cumbria when they play Ireland in a representative game at the Recreation Ground, Whitehaven on Sunday, October 16 (Kick off 3.00pm). Chambers was in charge of the revived Cumbrian team against New Zealand 'A' in 2003 and then the combined Australia-New Zealand ANZACS team last year. Chambers said: "Being appointed for the third time is just as exciting as it was for the first time. "I'm a proud Cumbrian and I relish each challenge given to the county side. "Ireland will provide a stern task for us. They have included eleven players with Super League experience in their squad and we shall have to take them very seriously. "Cumbrian Rugby League is in better shape than it has been for many years and I'm confident that we will go into the game in a great frame of mind". The Cumbrian team manager will be Des Byrne, the chairman of Whitehaven RLFC while Chambers will be assisted by Les Ash from Workington Town and Peter Smith from Whitehaven. Added Chambers: "We shall be announcing our squad closer to the game".
1st October. Farewell to Joey The Wolves are delighted to announce that their fans will have an opportunity to bid "A Farewell to Andrew Johns". Joey, who flies home, next week, is looking forward to meeting some of the Wolves faithful next Tuesday, 4th October. The event, a Question and Answer Session, will take place in the PrimeTime Lounge in the Martin Dawes Stand. It will commence at 6.00pm and last for an hour; Head Coach Paul Cullen will be taking part in the Q&A. Admission is by ticket only, limited to 2 per person and priced at just £1.00 for adults and 50 pence for children. Tickets will be available from Wolfware, tomorrow Saturday from 9am-5pm. All proceeds will go to the Scholarship Trip to Australia.
VACANCY - CANVASS SUPERVISOR - FULL TIME We are looking for an enthusiastic, highly proactive individual to join our team. The post is newly created and you will be expected to become actively involved in the promotion and growth of the Wolves Community Lottery Working flexible hours to suit both the needs of the business and the successful applicant a key aspect of the role is to increase membership of the Wolves' weekly lottery and to increase awareness of community benefits associated with the 'Lucky 7'. An element of cold calling will be required of the role and so experience in a similar environment is desirable. The successful applicant must be friendly, trustworthy and approachable. A full clean driving licence with own car is essential. Salary and benefits/incentives will be discussed at interview. If you feel this is the challenge you are looking for please forward a copy of your cv with a covering letter to Lynn Bates, HR Manager at the Halliwell Jones Stadium. Closing date for this position is 14th October 2005
VACANCIES - WOLFWARE Supervisor An exciting new opportunity has arisen within the Wolfware retail operation for a motivated and enthusiastic Team Supervisor. Preferably with previous retail supervisory experience and a strong customer service background, you will be responsible for running the day to day retail operation via a team of full and part time sales assistants. Confidence, solid experience, good communication skills and the ability to deal with people at all levels are essential to meet the challenges of this demanding role. Working five from seven days, including match days, you will be action orientated, results focused and be comfortable working in a very fast paced environment. Salary and benefits will be discussed at interview. If this sounds like the challenge you are looking for then forward your cv with a covering letter to Lynn Bates, HR Manager, Halliwell Jones Stadium Closing date for this position is 14th October 2005
Sales Assistant, Retail, Part Time (up to 20 Hours per week) In order to support our existing sales operation we are looking to employ a further part time sales assistant on a temporary basis, for the busy post season period. Key responsibilities include, the provision of a sales service for shop customers, dealing with telephone enquiries regarding merchandise, season tickets & stock replenishment. Hours to be confirmed and discussed at interview. If you are interested in this key role, please forward copy of cv with a covering letter to Lynn Bates, HR Manager, Halliwell Jones Stadium Closing date for this position is 14th October 2005
Yes I know it's early .England -v- Kiwis Warrington Wolves are delighted that the Halliwell Jones Stadium has been selected by The Rugby Football League to host the International match between England and New Zealand. The match will be on Sunday 6 November with a 2.45pm kick-off. Ticket Prices are: North Stand Central seats - Adults £15 and Concessions £5 North Stand Wing seats - Adults £12 and Concessions £5 Martin Dawes East Stand (unreserved) seats - Adults £12, Concessions £5 and Family Ticket £ 20 (2 adults and 2 concessions) South & West Standing - Adults £10 and Concessions £3 Tickets will be available from 17 October in the Wolfware shop. Tickets can be pre-ordered online at www.wolfwareonline.com from Monday 3 October or by calling the Wolfware shop on 01925 248880. Hospitality packages are available in conjunction with Heathcotes of Warrington. Places are available in the Prime Time Lounge of the Martin Dawes Stand for £ 40 + vat (£ 47). Included will be your seat, a three course meal and a comedian pre match. For further details or to make a booking please contact either Julie or Kyle on 01925 248880. This could be the first chance that Warrington Wolves fans get to see Kiwi star Paul Rauhihi play at The Halliwell Jones Stadium. Hoping to make the England team will be Ben Westwood (2004 European Nations player of the tournament), Chris Bridge, Mark Gleeson and Paul Wood.