November 2007
29th November. Paul Cullen, said: on the new signings for the club "We needed to take the pressure off Lee Briers. After we started last season so well, right through that injury crisis to mid-term my goal was that we had to take some pressure off Lee. "He was asked to run every department within our playing structure - goal-kicking, drop goals, tactical kicking, short kicking, long kicking, our tactical movement, our offensive shape and width - and it's always been with someone else playing halfback alongside him. That wasn't by design, the season turned for us. "The priority was either to bring in a scrum half to play with Lee at stand off or a stand off to play with Lee at scrum half. Lee is versatile enough to accommodate either. "Michael will lead at seven and Lee Briers will play at six. That gives us great opportunity to either split halves or play the lead scrum half and Lee Briers roving as a stand off. "It gives us many options that we haven't had for a considerable period."
Paul Cullen is hoping for a big start to the new season, speaking to the Warrington Guardian he said: "Personally I was looking for a big one in the first game and I think we've got that with Hull coming to The Halliwell Jones. "Last year I was very excited that we were going to go to Wigan in round one. "Some clubs may have earned the right to ease their way through the start of the season and come good towards the back end because they have the experience of doing that and getting through to Challenge Cup Finals and Grand Finals. "We haven't earned that right, we need to start big. "It was a massive challenge last year and we delivered. Hopefully this year we can do the same again."
23rd November. More than 1,000 people attended the funeral of rugby league legend Mike Gregory on Friday. The 43-year-old former Warrington and Great Britain captain died on Monday from a form of motor neurone disease. The streets outside the Sacred Heart Church in Springfield, Wigan, Greater Manchester, were lined with fans in the hours before the service. Family members were joined by former team-mates and current Warrington Wolves players. Gregory, who was born in Wigan, leaves a widow and two sons. Mike Gregory's funeral at Sacred Heart Church in Springfield About 1,000 people were at the church to pay their respects He played virtually his entire career with Warrington and also captained Great Britain to two Test series victories over New Zealand. It is believed his illness was the result of an insect bite while he was on tour of Australia with Great Britain's academy team in 2003. Bernard McGurran, Secretary of Wigan St Patricks Rugby League Club, said he would be sadly missed. "The man commanded respect, he was a superb man," he said. "A true man, not just his rugby playing, he was a true man all round." Frank Morgan, of Wigan Rugby Union Club, said he was an amazing man. He said: "Everyone in this town and Warrington loves him. He was an amazing fella." Copyright BBC.
22nd November.Adrian Morley was not too pleased with his form for the Wire in 2007 speaking to the Warrington Guardian he said "I was happy with my form for Great Britain," ; said the forward, who is expected to play at prop in 2008 having been in the second row for much of 2007. "It was a disappoint-.ing year for Wolves in I many respects but it has I bcei! a positive finish to for me and hopefully.I'll have a big year for the I Wolves next year. "I wasn't happy with my performances for the Wolves overall. There were few games I was ! happy with but in general I thought there was I a bit more there. "I can't put my finger I on anything specifically but I just wasn't happy. "But I'll be better for I the experience of playing this year. I'm looking forward to a rest first, and then to next season.
19th November. It is with great sorrow that I have to report the death of Mike Gregory,after a four-year battle with a neurological disease, a family spokesman has announced. Gregory, who was just 43-years-old, had been suffering from a form of motor neurone disease. In 2004, the illness forced Gregory to leave his job as Wigan coach. Gregory, who leaves a widow and two sons, played virtually his entire career with Warrington and also captained GB to two Test series victories over New Zealand. The highlights of his international career included a long-range try in Sydney in 1988 to clinch the first British victory over Australia in a decade. Warrington chairman Lord Hoyle paid tribute to Gregory, saying: "I was deeply saddened to hear the news of Mike's death and my thoughts go out to his family and friends. "Mike served our club with distinction as a player for 12 years, including captaining Warrington in their last Challenge Cup Final appearance in 1990. "His brave battle against illness and his efforts to raise awareness of progressive muscular atrophy has been an inspiration to us all. He will be greatly missed."
15th November. Well the rumour mongers have been send back to their corner and a few Wiganers will be chewing on their cold pies with the welcome news that Great Britain centre Martin Gleeson has signed a contract extension keeping him at the club until the end of 2010. The centre joined from St Helens in July 2004 and his four-and-a-half-year deal was due to expire at the of 2008. "The club have been very good to me since I joined," said Gleeson. "With the four signings we have made, not forgetting the quality we already have, the future here looks an exciting one that I want to be part of." Coach Paul Cullen was delighted to hear the 27-year-old would be staying at the Halliwell Jones Stadium. "World class three-quarters are few and far between and we are delighted to extend Martin's contract with us," he said. "Martin suffered a fractured knee early in our cup game at St Helens, leaving him on the sidelines, unable to run, for six weeks," added Culen. "To then go on to produce a great effort in our fight for the top six and then play exceptionally well for GB in the Test series is testament to his character."
More good news has arrived with Paul Johnson resuming full training with the rest of the Wolves squad after being given the all-clear on the neck problem that crucified the second half of his 2007 campaign.
8th November.2008 Season Tickets Break New Records Following the passing of our season ticket early bird deadline, Warrington Wolves are thrilled to announce that the club has sold well over 5,000 season tickets so far for 2008.
Paul Cullen will find a place in the Wire team for Chris Bridge come what may, Bridge who kicked the winning goal for Ireland against Lebanon, has been under threat at the club since the club's decision to sign Michael Monaghan as Lee Briers partner at half back. However Paul Cullen says a fully fit Chris Bridge is a must for the team.
7th November. Jon Clarke, Adrian Morley and Martin Gleeson are all in the 20 man squad for the 3rd test against New Zealand
Great Britain 20-man squad: Rob Burrow (Leeds), Jon Clarke (Warrington), Gareth Ellis (Leeds), Maurie Fa'asavalu (St Helens), Ade Gardner (St Helens), Martin Gleeson (Warrington), James Graham (St Helens), David Hodgson (Huddersfield), Jamie Jones-Buchanan (Leeds), Danny McGuire (Leeds), Adrian Morley (Warrington), Sean O'Loughlin (Wigan), Jamie Peacock (Leeds), Leon Pryce (St Helens), Gareth Raynor (Hull FC), James Roby (St Helens), Keith Senior (Leeds), Paul Wellens (St Helens), Jon Wilkin (St Helens), Kirk Yeaman (Hull FC).
1st November, Hooker Jon Clarke will make his Great Britain debut in Saturday's second Test against New Zealand in Hull. The 28-year-old replaces Terry Newton, who is dropped from the team that won 20-14 at Huddersfield. Jon ever-present this season for Wire and, after being 18th man for the mid-season Test against France, played for the Northern Union in last month's centenary international against the All Golds. "He has been in good form this year," said Tony Smith. "He's played very well in a team that at times hasn't been that consistent.
Great Britain: P Wellens (St Helens), A Gardner (St Helens), K Senior (Leeds), M Gleeson (Warrington), G Raynor (Hull); L Pryce (St Helens), R Burrow (Leeds), A Morley (Warrington), J Clarke (Warrington), J Peacock (Leeds, capt), G Ellis (Leeds), S O'Loughlin (Wigan), K Sinfield (Leeds). Replacements: M Fa'asavalu (St Helens), J Graham (St Helens), S Burgess (Bradford), D McGuire (Leeds).
