I visited Wilderspool several times from the early 80's onwards. Warrington fans had a reputation back then for being aggressive and intimidating and on my first visit they didn't disappoint, I was not comfortable. I generally mingled back then with any fans, just depended where I fancied standing. I always stood with Leeds fans there after that. I can't comment on recent years as I haven't been. I can't imagine it's the same.

To be honest Warrington had been non-contenders for a very long time and we just have no real history of losing much to them until Tony Smith came along. I strongly believe the lack of animosity, trolling etc. before or after our meetings is down to Smith and Mozza, who were both loved at Leeds by many fans (Mozz almost universaly). I like the way Smith thinks and the way he gets club teams to play rugby league. There have been in the past (IMO) two camps/philosophies in RL in this country, teams who clear the ruck and want a clean PTB and who defend based on line speed, and teams who work tirelessly on strategies to get away with slowing the PTB down to a snails pace, wrestling, complaining, pretending that the tackled player is holding their arm. Last years GF was an example of two teams who cleared the ruck quickly and wanted to play rugby. I guess there are a lot of similarities and it makes for a very watchable 80 minutes of action.

They probably think you're related to Chris Riley.

Because we may have similar coloured hair?

Although I do remember the causing considerable damage at McLaren Field a few years ago

Ah Wilderspool. Or to give it the proper name "The Zoo".

The dressing room windows under the main stand were always open and you got the overwhelming smell of embrocation as you walked past them towards the "away end".

Can remember an away game there (probably late 80s) that was in doubt up until about half an hour before kick off due to a waterlogged pitch. Paul Delaney scored despite being tackled about ten yards short, just aquaplaned over.

i was thinking of that too , was hard to make that ground any worse.

wilderspool and the snooker club viewing area...

des drummond star of superstars

we seemed to have a few draws in those days


in modern times think the new ground one of the best newbuilds and david furner was f**king brilliant playing there kosi

Liked the bar at the back of the away stand.

Aye, once they opened that it was almost the perfect away terrace. Under cover of a low roof, meaning you could get a brilliant atmosphere going, and a bar at the back where you could get served without missing any of the game. The toilets were a disgrace, but that was standard in those days.

Toilets? you mean the little groove in the floor that everyone missed and stank for weeks on end?

I always get the feeling that Wire fans wish they had our Amber instead of insipid Primrose.They even tried to create their own southstand