WARRINGTON Wolves boss Tony Smith has named his 19 man squad for Saturday’s Tetley’s Challenge Cup semi-final against Leeds Rhinos – when super fan Craig Garner will achieve a unique milestone of 1,000 consecutive games following the club home and away and around the world!
With the Wolves just 80 minutes away from Wembley Craig, aged 42, hopes he will be celebrating in style after the match which kicks off on Saturday afternoon, 2.30pm, at Langtree Park.
The challenge cup records show that the two club’s have met 21 times throughout the competition’s history, winning 10 games apiece and drawing one.It’s also all square this season with each side winning their respective home game.
They are sitting third and fifth in the Super League table separated by just two points.
Meanwhile it will be Craig’s 1000th consecutive Warrington game. This is no mean feat with the last game he missed being back in March 1985 away to Bradford; a game Warrington lost 22-4 with Mark Forster scoring the team’s only try.
Since the 1985 home win against Barrow. Craig has travelled home and away to support his beloved primrose and blue; including a long-haul trip to Sydney for the pre-season fixture against NRL side South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2012.
His total includes competitive games, friendlies and testimonials; Locker Cups, Challenge Cup finals, Grand Finals alike.
His record spans 29 years with many stories to tell but Craig is very humble when speaking about his achievement.
“It’s other people who have been keeping an eye on it. I wasn’t aware until Gary Slater told me I was getting near to it and that was at the start of the season. I wanted to keep it quiet really but there was no chance of that… I wouldn’t like to see how much I’ve spent.
“There are a lot of loyal Warrington fans…It’s not just about me, there’s others too. I meet a lot of the same people each and every week. We have a big loyal band and I’ve just been lucky not to miss one. I’m sure there’re many who’ve only missed one or two.
“My great, great grandad was the one who started Warrington off, it’s always been in my history…I was lucky enough to be taken to Wilderspool to start the ball rolling. It’s a great experience and an enjoyable day. I’m sure if you come to one game you’ll come again…There are some great friends and that always makes for a good match experience.”
Craig’s record nearly got broken away at Hull this season due to traffic delays on the M62 following a crash, but he managed to get to the game with 20 minutes to spare!
Meanwhile Smith has gone for experience in his 19 man squad.
19 man squad:
10 Roy Asotasi
4 Ryan Atkins
3 Chris Bridge
19 Anthony England
18 Rhys Evans
13 Simon Grix
15 Ben Harrison
9 Micky Higham
8 Chris Hill
5 Joel Monaghan
14 Michael Monaghan
7 Richie Myler
20 Gareth O’Brien
29 Gene Ormsby
6 Stefan Ratchford
1 Matthew Russell
11 Trent Waterhouse
12 Ben Westwood
16 Paul Wood
