LIFELONG Warrington Wolves’ fan Brendan Douglas has created a DVD of the Wilderspool years to help raise funds for the Wolves Foundation.
Entitled “Warrington RLFC, Tries, Big Hits & Biff,”he is hoping will become a popular Christmas stocking filler. The DVD is available from Wolfware for £10 per copy and so far Brendan, who also manages very successful Facebook and Youtube pages, has raised over £350 for the Foundation from sales.
It’s over two hours of Wire glory from the 1950 Challenge Cup Final win over Widnes, up to Sid Domic’s final try against Wakefield in 2003.
Including footage of all the Warrington greats including Brian Bevan, Alex Murphy, Phil Blake, Mike Gregory, Jonathan Davies, Alfie Langer and every one in between; All the tries, the cup wins and the fights.
Brendan said: “It’s a great DVD for any wire fan and also helps provide funds to the Foundation to continue their work in the community.”
“The idea for the DVD came from the Facebook and YouTube ideas. I created those so that fans could remember and reflect but more importantly is that the past players understand that they are still appreciated and not forgotten. The more I developed the YouTube page, the more people wanted to see.
“So introducing myself to the Warrington Wolves Foundation I offered them the idea of the Wilderspool DVD to mark the ten years since we left the stadium and they gave me access to the club’s archive, so it is a product of about eighteen months work, all done in my spare time.
“There are developments for two more DVDs, the first ten years at the HJ and a Wilderspool Volume 2.”
Clips start at the 19 nil defeat of Widnes in the 1950 Challenge Cup final with Harry Bath and Moggy Palin amongst the scorers.
Then brief flashes of Brian Bevan, Gerry Helme and Jim Challinor. The 1974 Challenge Cup final highlights, John Bevan scoring for Great Britain against Australia in 1978, and then scoring against Barrow in the John Player Final.
Bob Eccles and Ronnie Duane bursting through defences, the speed merchants Rick Thackeray, Mark Forster, Brian Johnson and Des Drummond sprinting up the Wilderspool pitch. Les Boyd, Kevin Tamati, Bob Jackson, Mark Roberts and Paul Cullen leading the charge in attack and defence. Ken Kelly, Andy Gregory, John Woods, Greg Mackey and Kevin Ellis making gaps that weren’t there. Mike Gregory storming in for his famous Great Britain try and then lifting the Lancashire Cup. Phil Blake, Allan Bateman and Jonathan Davies scoring what seem impossible tries. Paul Sculthorpe, Jon Roper, Lee Briers and Alan Langer setting Super League alight with attacking flair.
Countless big hits, try savers and fights from the days of ‘The Zoo’, until the final game in 2003 when Sid Domic, Bennie Westwood and Graham Appo help close the final chapter at an era of Rugby League that lives long in the hearts and minds of thousands.
Picture shows Brendan with Wire Legend Paul Cullen and Neil Kelly from the Wolves’ Foundation.
