I was astounded one night at Hilton Park when I stood next to John Woods on the terraces and he asked for a light for his fag.

Interesting to hear Paul Cullen as co-commentator on that vid.

I didn't realize he started this future career back in the 80's.

And from what we now have learnt, a couple of fags..

I used to have a history of Warrington RLFC video and there was footage of the players on a train going to an away match in the 30's or 40's. One of the players was smoking and I'm sure the presenter alluded to it being a joint he was puffing away at.

He must have been from Orford

Think you may get a few more positive responses on the Salford forum.

I wonder what Woods is doing now.
Real class.

He was still playing up until about a decade ago.

Woods rarely club trained and was somewhat allowed not too.
He used to walk about 10 miles a day with his dog.

That was his training and why he played so long and was injury free.

That 88-89 side that finished 11th I would imagine had Steve Roach, Phil Blake, Les Davidson, and Les Boyd, but they didnt play the entire season due to NRL commitments, and Boyd was called back from retirement by Peter Higham (iirc).
Davidson and Blake were not allowed to play in the Maine Road Semi, so it was hardly a settled side.

At Maine road woods had to move to scrum half while a young inexperienced Rocky turner played stand off which made woods display all the better....

Week in week out For about ten years the pies 6& 7 was Gregory and Edwards and no on else..........that helps.....

why such a star studded side finished so low down the table I have no idea.......well if you ever saw Steve Roach play league games then the answer lies there somewhere.......

In fact we did well to get to wembley in 1990 with Woods Holden Boyd Roach Davidson and Blake leaving ....it gives me hope for this year..........

We didn't deserve to go in 1990.
In 1989 we did, all we needed was to draw saints or Widnes in the semi.
Alas history shows our fait.

Our league positions on paper look disappointing because they were disappointing, over that period we lost about half our league games. A lot of them were to lower table sides as well.

If we really had this great team, then why did we lose so often in the league?

As for the best pack you ever saw in RL ever, surely as Andy Gregory left then John Woods played behind this pack.

Woods behind the best pack ever with Des Drummond and Brian Johnson in the outside backs all led by the GB captain.....come on surely there should have been some top 3 finishes?? Were they resting players to try and win the end of season Premiership from 8th or something?

Its all a matter of opinion.
In my opinion I've never seen a better pack around that 2 year period. 88 and 89.

Boyd Tamati Jackson Davidson M Gregory Humphries Rathbone Roach in the cup games...he didn't wanna know in the league hence the poor league form??

I know in my heart of hearts that the draw of Wigan in 89 semi and the unavailability of Davidson and Blake cost us history.
I'm convinced Warrington would have beat Wigan in the CC final of 89 with them.

I truly believe Wigan wouldn't had become so dominant. I believe Warrington would had been equals with the monies of an 89 final.

If I could wish a pack, I would wish for that back.

If one good thing comes from this thread, it's reminded me why I hate the pies so much. Unfortunately I now can't get that Lydon drop goal out of my head!