Yeah, this is my main memory of Wigan as well.

Lived in Manchester at the time (uni) and my mate came up to meet me for a few beers before we set off to Wigan.

A few beers turned into a few more and when we got to the train station, we'd missed the last train that would get us to Wigan on time.

Thinking that it can't be that far from Manchester to Wigan (Wakefield to Leeds surely?) we hopped in a taxi and asked for the JJB, our first concern being the driver having no idea where this was!

Eventually we arrived (£50 later) and sprinted over to the turnstiles where a large amount of wakey fans were stood. The queue seemed to be motionless and kick off was arriving, so i got the radio on my phone and started to commentate the game for the fans stood outside.

Didn't get in till we were 16-0 up and didnt see us score a point, but commentating to a large group of wakefield fans was certainly enjoyable.

Also remember the end of that game when the wakey fans ran to the edge of the pitch as the players clapped us and seeing the look on the players faces...they were as gutted as we were!

I have memories of going to Central Park pre-season to see the Wigan Sevens competition (not sure which year though)
We spotted a young ginger kid playing for Wigan who looked like he might be a good prospect. That kid was of course Kris Radlinski and went on to be slightly more than a good prospect.

Also did we not play Wigan the first game after Martin Offiah signed for them for some record fee (£440,000 springs to mind)?

My favourite Wigan memory is Nigel Wright's return to BV after his sale to Wigan. He got sent off after about 20 mins (I think) and I have never heard such abuse for a player in all my years going to watch Wakefield.

He looked mortified walking down the tunnel.

Not even sure why he was sent off but I do remember BV being packed, Not even sure if we won or not but I think we did.

No your getting your games mixed up!! The Ellery Hanley no try was in a league game at Belle Vue, I think it was a sunday night too for BSB. The cup game was a different occasion..

Yes you are correct about the debut of Martin Offiah.

David Myres was the incumbent winger at the time. A good one, and a crowd favourite who scored tries a plenty, (I think he died last year in an accident). Offiah came on as a sub in the second half to some booing as I remember it. Was a close game at the time with Wakefield still in with a chance. Up pops Offiah and I think he scored the crucial try to ease them in to a more comfortable lead and the game. There are some try clips of him on YouTube paying for Widnes. Some you would not believe if someone described them to you. He was a RL freak (in the nicest sense of the word).

Topically talking of crowd figures. That Wigan game where Jullian Russell scored the winning try. I was behind the sticks at the time and it was the most packed I have ever known BV to be. Crowd was officially 8500 I think but honestly they must have been 15000 in. I think I have it on Video.

it was the first game on bsb was it not?

Don't think man - check!

That would be a classic game for some of us ( ) to watch again!

was the Offiah debut game not also one of Geoff Bagnalls first games for us. Either way. Geoff played one of if not his first at Central Park. I can't remember much about the game to be honest except for 2 things. Firstly an old 'ecentric' Trinity supporting couple kept chearing for that Aussie bagman! We couldn't stop laughing. Secondly it was the first game that I took my new 'posh' southern girlfriend to to meet my rugby mates. Fortunately for me she didn't embarras herself in front of my mates and nie on 20 years on she takes our boys to B.V .and away games when I'm working.

Good memories!

Yes!

See my posts above, it was Jason Timmins who got the ball free..and it could have been John Holdsworth the ref..

For me it was the midweek match, henry paul beating about 6 men on a amazing run to the try line, also same match andy wilson going the lengh of the patch, it was at central park and we won, awesome night

second is the first game of this season, bad weather, high emotions and JD pointing the name on the back of his shirt at the end

third is michael jackson and that try against them at home, i think andy mason went the full lengh that day as well

How about being cheated when Farrell knocked the ball back towards his own tryline and Jefferies picking it up and sitting on it under the posts only for it to be reffed as a knock on by Taddy

Pretty sure you are right about Baggers making his debut in the same game. Full house to see Offiah make his debut. Remember been laughed at by Wigan fans when we told them we had come to see our new scrum half and not the worlds most expensive player! Lost 20 odd nill if i remember rightly.

On another note, sure i heard somewhere that Belle Vue was the only ground Offiah never scored at? Anyone confirm??

On a memories note, i remember the cup game at our place in the early 90's with us really been in the game and having alot of pressure on there line. They then somehow got the ball and Joe Lydon kicked it from between his own posts and it bounced into touch just in front of me a yard from our tryline. Still never seen anything like it and would almost definately be the game breaker in the League Express!
The match was live on grandstand and im sure a couple of blokes from what is now chav corner went onto the field mid way through the second half to have a go at Whitfield???
Think it was also the game that 36year old Ray Price had Hanley in his pocket.

I AGREE THIS ONE STANDS OUT FOR ME

Until he went off injured.

If Ray had stayed on that day, I'm convinced we would have won and put the mighty Wigan out of the cup!