Woolston Rovers season launch and annual Hall of Fame dinner took place recently and was yet again a huge success as a packed Masonic Hall enjoyed an excellent evening with three further Rovers’ stalwarts being recognised for their fantastic contribution to the green and gold.
The first Rovers stalwart to be inducted on the evening was Allan Johnson, a second row forward and stalwart of the side in the 1960s and 1970s before being a big help off the field for many years and he was followed by Steve Martin, a scrum half or winger, from the 1990s and 2000s who was arguably the best goalkicker in the amateur game during that period, and had the great honour of scoring they try and adding the conversion against Warrington Wolves in the famous 2001 Challenge Cup tie at Wilderspool Stadium before the last recipient of the evening Ian ‘Wormy’ Williams, a no-nonsense forward from the late 1970s and 1980s, who was a member of the Rovers side who were one of the inaugural members of the National League that started in the 1985-1986 season. All three received a thoroughly deserved rapturous reception as they were called up to receive their Hall of Fame shirt.
Woolston Rovers 2025 Hall of Fame Inductees (left to right) Ian ‘Wormy’ Williams Steve Martin Allan Johnson photo courtesy of Nikki Whalley
Also on the night Mark Brookhouse presented Heritage Numbers to past players George Martin, James Bell, Jon Cole, John Welch and Mike Carter whilst current players Andrew Addison, Ryan Brown, Tom Fagan, Dan Fearnley, Adam Files, Harry Files, Dan Griffiths and Matt Taylor were also handed their heritage numbers for sterling service over the past decade or more; Mark Brookhouse was also handed his heritage number by Tony Searle and was they given a very special 007 heritage number from Colin Thackeray. This is a fantastic concept that he has worked really hard on over the past few years and is the envy of the community game. Thanks also to Dave Ditchfield for the excellent design of the certificates.
NCL Head Coach Liam Lawton, along with NWML Head Coach Craig Woolvine also took the stage to give an excellent insight into how pre-season training has gone in preparation for the new campaign. They spoke about the hopes and aims of both Open Age sides, with the NCL side once again in Division One and the NWML taking their place in an expanded Entry Division and also the importance of having an Under 18s side in 2025, which we have lacked for the past four years.
The evening was sponsored by main club sponsors Millstone Durbax, with thanks to Simon Knowles for his continued support. Thanks also to Liam Horrigan for his very professional comparing of the evening, Warrington North MP Charlotte Nichols for once again showing her support for the club, National Conference League Public Relations Officer Dave Parkinson and to the staff at the Masonic Hall for their fantastic hospitality once again.
