another great memory

Quote: Teessidewire "Silver. You've really got me thinking now. Didn't Jackie Melling sign for Wigan in 1970 (or'69), in the deal that brought Welsh forward Colin Standing to Warrington? I think Standing played half a game and then went back to Wales, never to be seen again. Melling was a remendous right centre who suffered a lot with shoulder and knee injuries. I believe that he's still involved with wigan St Pats, Rogues may be able to help us with this one.'" I've just checked here. (Bilkos superb reference site) wigan.rlfans.com/readarticle.php?article_id=947 There's no mention of Jackie Melling. I also checked in my reference books and can't find any record of him playing for Wigan. However I seem to recall Wigan signing him, so I just rang a mate who's older than me (there are still a few ) and he too thinks that Melling did sign for Wigan late in his career. Looking at the Colin Standing record it says that his last game for Wigan was 13th Dec 1969. I'm guessing that a swap was done prior to the Challenge Cup signing deadline for 1969/70 and maybe Melling got injured in an "A" team game. I'll ask the question on the Wigan site.

Quote: Teessidewire "Silver. You've really got me thinking now. Didn't Jackie Melling sign for Wigan in 1970 (or'69), in the deal that brought Welsh forward Colin Standing to Warrington? I think Standing played half a game and then went back to Wales, never to be seen again. Melling was a remendous right centre who suffered a lot with shoulder and knee injuries. I believe that he's still involved with wigan St Pats, Rogues may be able to help us with this one.'" I've just checked here. (Bilkos superb reference site) wigan.rlfans.com/readarticle.php?article_id=947 There's no mention of Jackie Melling. I also checked in my reference books and can't find any record of him playing for Wigan. However I seem to recall Wigan signing him, so I just rang a mate who's older than me (there are still a few ) and he too thinks that Melling did sign for Wigan late in his career. Looking at the Colin Standing record it says that his last game for Wigan was 13th Dec 1969. I'm guessing that a swap was done prior to the Challenge Cup signing deadline for 1969/70 and maybe Melling got injured in an "A" team game. I'll ask the question on the Wigan site.

Here you go.

I remember that bloke, he was there every match-day Sunday..I suppose he will know by now whether his sin-free life has been rewarded!

Funny actually, first time i saw Warrington playing was against Wigan in i think '99, was flicking through the Sky sports channels as i had the remote (i was 14), Wigan pulled away in the last 10 minutes or so IIRC. A year later, my mate at school told me he was a regular watching Wire and i asked to go along. First game was against Halifax at home in 2000. Went a couple more games that season Wigan at home and Saints away, and got a season ticket the following year. Don't remember much about those games though, so my first real Wire memories are the first game of the 2001 season away at Wigan, biff after biff after biff, and ''Van De Velde's barmy army'' ringing round the JJB for 80 mins.

My first game was York (h) Sept 79, with (and you're going to HATE me for this) everyone's favourite whistler (he was a top lad) and a lad called Ian. We fell out of touch a couple of years later.

SPOOOOOOKY, the last (proper) game at Wilderspool v Wakefield, as I was walking out of the gates underneath the scoreboard, I was stood next to Ian, who I hadn't seen in over 20 years.


Always like to keep my audience rivetted. Wake up

Standing in a kiosk pulling pints at Wilderspool in early 90's that's my proper memory of Wire. My dad & grandad did take me but I can't remember.

My first game at Wilderspool was Leeds 1970 (I think) in a challenge cup game, got free tickets for being picked for town trials, had to climb over turnstiles so we didn't count on the attendance. Wire lost and I remember we changed shirts at HT cos of the weather and had a fabulous view from the old terrace that ran along one side of the ground.

Late 70's/Early 80s at Wilderspool. Memories -

1. The confectionary trolley which used to trundle around the pitch at HT. Together with the guy with the back pack dispensing coffee and tea down a tube.

2. Changing ends to the Railway End at half time.

3. Smell of Wintergreen as players came out to Entry Of The Gladiators - Julius Fucik

4. Bob Eccles kicking a massive up and under when running on at the start of the game.

5. Standing with my Granddad and 2 70 year old+ WW2 veteran Poles in the Fletch.

6. Getting Pear Drops from the newsagent on the corner before the game.

7. Trying to peek in through the changing room windows in the new Main stand.

8. Collecting Steve Hesfords tie ups.

9. Occasional fighting with rival fans and atmosphere of menace.

10. Blue disabled cars parked inside the ground between the Railway and Snookers.

11. Guessing which floodlight bulb had gone this week.

12. Finding Rugby League really exciting, enjoyable and full of characters.

The boys pen in those days was a cordoned off area behind the sticks at the Kop end. A big police sergeant with a greenheart pace stick used to parade back and forth in front of us and you daren't lean over the wall never mind run on the pitch.

That would be Alex Murphy/'s testimonial for thirty tears in the game. They were struggling with ticket sales until it was announced that Bev was turning out and I think it was a virtual sell out. I think it was a Wire select team v the then GB side

Wires71

7.. Trying to peek in through the changing room windows in the new Main stand.

Classic!

Going the 'A'team games on a chilly evening watching the fringe players like Derek Finnigan and Jonny Lowe and A.Another who always got a game!