That was surely the most salutory lesson ever taught to a Wigan side. But even now I feel disappointment that the lessons of so many finals - of which it was said in the mid-90s we didn't know how to lose because we were always so well prepared - could have been forgotten so quickly.

Though, later that season, we went on to win the first ever Grand Final, I still look back on 1998 and think of it as the true start of our long decline.

This was my very first CC Final, I remember getting the tickets as an Easter present as a 9year old still relatively new to RL.

Making a flag with my Grandad in the week leading upto the final putting the whole of the Wigan squads names on it, and using my Grandads advice spelling 'Kris Radlinski' as 'Chris Radlinsky' as in his words it would "Get me on TV" Going out to buy my very first Wigan RL top, I literally slept in it for weeks leading upto the game.

Then not sleeping the night before reading up on previous Wigan wins at Wembley and then sleeping all the way from Ashton to London in the car on the day itself.

Standing by watching the Wigan team bus drive in and Radlinski giving me a confused look at how his name was spelt

Watching the match a bloke in front of me refused to sit down so I used my seat to stand up on to watch the match, watching on in disbelief that we were losing and then being heartbroken at the end when we lost. So a miserable first experience of a CC final for me, and one that I've been keen for Wigan to avenge ever since.

COME ON WIGAN!!

We had a fine team in 98 but Sheffield probably would have beaten Brisbane that day. Our boys took it a little bit lightly, I am sure, but they also had the rest of the season to concentrate on. Sheffield knew with absolute certainty that that match was their one shot at glory and they combined perfect preparation with belief, intensity, and a game-plan that exposed every weakness we had and played to their strengths. They were playing with no tomorrow because they knew there probably wouldn't be one. Had it been the same for us, I think it might have been a different story. Also, Plan A had worked so well for us that season that I don't think we were able to find a Plan B when we needed it. This season, they can rake up all the old memories they like - they're outclassed and it will show.

I still hate my dad for telling me its only sheffield and we were certain to win. I cried all the way home! What an awful day! To be honest though it was better to be Sheffield than any other team, it was great for RL.

that result showed that no matter how good a rugby league team is if you dont perform ANY team even ameter teams will beat you

The longest bus ride ever that day back home

I was in hospital for 3 weeks intense physio i begged my dr to let me out for the weekend to go and he did i really wish he hadnt botherd now lol

me and my mate cried all the way home but it just wasnt to be

sick of people dwelling on it and bringing it up in every game jonn kear is inolved in against us or every challange cup game

I've always said you could tell from the faces of the players in the tunnel that we would lose.

Note the players in the tunnel that day and note them a few months later at Old Trafford.

It was agonising at the time watching that final and constantly thinking "we'll get going in a minute" and I was in shock at the end. Looking back though I can see how such a result can be good for the sport as a whole. Just a shame that neither Sheffield and London Broncos who got to the semi finals in '98 and the final in '99 were able to kick on from those couple of years. Didn't Sheffield (the re-launched Eagles) get knocked out of the cup by Thornhill in 2000?

Strangest final I've ever been to. The huge gaps in the seats made the atmosphere very flat, which was how we played. Don't remember much about it, but do remember a play-the-ball near our own line where no-one took up the dummy half role & the Sheffield marker simply ran round & picked the ball up. Summed up the performance.

We also had a group of 'fans' all wearing RU shirts giving us abuse all the way through the match. All round cr@p day - just a shame this was our last Wembley experience.

Yeah good point.

The best reply surely is to try to put a record score on them this weekend ?

I wasn't a Wigan fan back then but looking at the history they were a mid table super league side back then, I don't think they'll worry us now they're a championship side, and a poor one at that.