My dad took me to a handful games at old Craven Park and I went to a few games with lads from school at new Craven Park in the early 90s before I left Hull. I got back/properly into it when I went to see Rovers play Leigh in 2006, as a random thing to do with my dad when I was back visiting one weekend. It turned out that they were on the up - which was undoubtedly a major part of why I took such an interest initially. So, for me, it being Leigh feels like completing a cycle or narrative arc. Saccharine nonsense - but sweet nonetheless.

As an aside, Rovers named their team, Hall pulled up in the warm up, did Rovers start the game with 3 subs or does the 18th man take his place? I’ve racked my brains but being an old fart, I can’t for the life of me remember the ruling. I seem to remember FC playing with 3 subs when Ellis pulled out at Leeds

I think you only lose a sub if the 13 that takes the field is different to the team sheet. Remember Radders starting Masi when he'd initially put him down as a sub. We lost an interchange because of it.

The last time I saw Leigh in a challenge cup final, the great Alex Murphy was playing for them, Murphy was stretchered off after the Leeds centre Syd Hynes was red carded for a head butt on Murphy, becoming the first man sent of in a challenge cup final I believe, Leigh won the game with Murphy winning the Lance Todd.

Absolute meltdown from Wellens reading his pre match interview

Did he mention Morgan Knowles tackling technique?

As good as both Knowles & Matautia can be for St’s their ill discipline and aggression has cost St’s quite a bit this season. Maybe that’s down to St’s not having all their own way this season leading to frustration, the officials actually picking up on it or something that’s down to Wellens as a coach or all 3

Think once Murphy saw Hynes had been sent off he jumped off the stretcher, ultimate gamesmanship.

He seems to be forgetting his defence of Knowles.

“In the build-up to when we are facing a tribunal it is important that it doesn’t become trial by social media.”
He added: “What I would say in this situation is no coach or player wants players to suffer injuries but at the same time, injuries are part and parcel given the nature of the sport. Ours is a collision sport and things can go wrong at times.

He’s starting to sound bitter and in fear of his job.

It was in my mind to mention this as well, but I couldn’t remember if that really happened, or it was just my imagination, we were only there for the day with school, then a visit to the London palladium to see the famous Michael Bentines flea circus, or the Harlem Globetrotters can’t remember which final included which after match show. Do schools still run cup final trips, or is that not a thing now.

You lose an interchange if you name a player outside the 21 man squad in your team, think you can still change player if they are injured in warm up.

Hi Rider. My first Wembley was with Sir Christopher Wren High School, the water splash final The Black and White Minstrels Show in the evening. Walking home down a deserted Hessle Road, in the early hours of Sunday morning, I was picked up by a Copper and escorted home to Somerset St. Nothing like that would happen now, a Copper on the beat, early hours, Sunday morning and especially The Minstrel show. Ahhh, innocence of youth.

Going to be a good signing for Wigan that Walters , Some talent there .