Those fans that tell us this is not a true derby were probably not around to see the derbies in the 70's, 80's and 90's, both sides had players that the others disliked somewhat. There were battles all over the pitch and in most cases the stands too



The hardtimes that Widnes suffered whosever making they were have perhaps dumbed down a truley great derby. Two stongish sides again will reverse this trend.

Wouldn't normally be that fussed about a Widnes game. However having lost to Wigan Saints and Leeds already i can't deal with a loss tomorrow.

I couldn't agree more with you and Moe Syslak it must be an age thing?

Widnes have caused me more pain watching RL and that includes Saints and their hoodoo malarkie, perhaps I got over ihat by 'tipping my hat' to them as a better team. Whereas losing to Widnes isn't an option I'd care to consider writing off as just like losing to Hudderrsfield....

NOW THE WIRE!!

I think the Wire game to Widnes fans is the same as the Wigan game to us.

As above, think its an age thing. Losing to our three eyed friends hurts just as much as Saints and Wigan for me.

I dont know how some people class it the same as playing teams like Huddersfield.

Well said Rico and LW. Anybody over the age of 40 who classes this as a zero emotion game or no different to salford needs to have a word with themselves. As for those youngsters, go and talk to a warrington fan who attended the premiership semi at naughton park in the summer of 1988 and they will tell you what a true derby atmosphere is like. There has NEVER been a game in my lifetime(including any game with saints or wigan)with an atmosphere as intense. Even the Hull clubs wouldn't be able to match what it was like there that day.

I am 39 and i remember as a kid the importance of these games.Les Boyd and Kurt Sorenson where top battles and i remember there was pitch battles with opposite fans too.

I could be arrogant and say Leigh was not a big game now, but i love to play the local teams with a atmosphere. If Widnes stay up for a few years and expand these games could get bigger again.Once we regularly hit the top 8 and Warrington too, it will be a massive game.

Teams like Huddersfield, London, Bradford,Salford, Castleford and other clubs be lucky to bring over 200 to Widnes.
Warrington,Wigan and Saints bring the best following.

This is the derby for me,after a horrific experience at the nortonautoqueststobartselect stadium last year I will not be going to the game. But adds extra spice as my wife is a widnes fan

Reading the posts about Widnes fans being animals...whoahhhh hold on a minute!!! Whilst I don't condone throwing the smoke bombs, the Widnes lad who got filled in by that numpty of a steward didn't throw the smoke bombs. For the steward to get one of his steward mates to hold the lads hands behind his back whilst he filled him in was nothing short of disgraceful..what a coward. And then outside of the stadium Widnes fans were singing and celebrating the victory and certain Wire scumbags couldn't resist getting in the middle of our celebrations and starting fights with innocent Widnes fans. I think you need to take a look at yourselves, yous are from a nice bunch!!!!

I was about to agree with you then you trolled about wire being scumbags.

Every game since we have been back up (2012-) against the wire, has been a pretty tasty atmosphere on each occasion. Not condoning trouble or any type of violence however, but definitely a bit more spice. About 2006 ish, I attended two Stains V Wire games, and whilst there was the atmosphere was probably much better at those games, the feeling of dislike didn't seem to surface. However I am neither Saints or Wire so perhaps I am wrong. I know Wire and Wigan are not overly fond of each other going back a long time.

I think he must have been singing and some Wire fans jumped in for no reason, but to cause trouble. Their is idiots in Widnes and Warrington fans to be honest. So i would say always a minority, and most are geniuine. Anyway hopefully a good game and the best side win.

was there that day and i agree with you about how intense the atmosphere was..but if i had the choice of victory over wigan or victory over widnes id choose the pie gobblers every time..also recall the hatred against wigan in the cc semi at maine road,that was on a par with the widnes semi

I'm of an age (modesty forbids) when I can well remember the feeling between Wires & Widnes back in the 70s and 80s particularly but here's why I have always preferred Wigan & Saints games.

The feeling between Warrington & Widnes isn't just rivalry it is intense, violent, ugly HATRED and I don't want any part of that.

I've always loathed Wigan but I also cheered them to the rafters against Bath, Brisbane and Sydney, and I share the same emotions for Saints. I love beating them (especially Saints after the wilderness years), I love seeing them slip up against "lesser" teams but I also admire them. That is rivalry, that is sport.

The only thing I care about in the Widnes game is two points, and everyone there for the rugby getting out in one piece.

I'm 40+ and couldn't give a monkey's about Widnes.

For me and all my group of similarly aged fans it will always be Wigan that we see as the biggest, and most enjoyable, matches of the season.

The match I've enjoyed most at Widnes was the 2009 semi-final.

RT and favourited!

What arrogance as we beat you twice last year, and there is more than 2 home games a season. I would look forward to playing Leigh if promoted as a local derby. Hope we smash you tomorrow.No wonder with your attitudes hatred is involved.

I'd call it pity.

Regarding the stewarding last year, as far as i know Cheshire police have not found any evidence to charge the steward, there was never any catagoric proof that the "reported injuries" were from the "assault" (youtube video indicates posted to condem, indicated all blows were to the arm) BUT BUT BUT it is noted that Warrington have done away with the services of that particular company this year.

Last year was the only time in MANY years I have ever felt uncomfortable at a game. You could feel something brewing throughout the whole build up.

Lets hope that irrespective of the outcome, tomorrow gets remembered for a fabulous game of rugby.

He punch him in the face repeatedly. I saw it. I was about 5 metres away and hit his arm.

It was 4 metres previously, Mr duck, are you sure you saw Wht you say you think you saw.

It's been proven to the court that your testimony was innacurate(allegations of Chris bridge being a competent stand off), now your recollection is inconsistent.


Ahem, seriously though did yoi contact the police during the investigation since you got such a good view?

Two wrongs don't make a right, granted, but had the non colour wearing, hooded Widnes 'supporters' not turned up with the intention of causing a problem, which was either 3rd or 4th away game in a row where their away support had to be dealt with by stadium security, those stewards wouldn't have needed to do anything.

89 Lancashire Cup semifinal. Heaving at Wilderspool And one hell of a game.

Wigan is the big one, I miss the Christmas/New Year and Easter derbies against Wigan, Widnes and Saints all great fixtures.

I really enjoyed the derby rivalry in Widnes' first stint in SL, the balance of power shifted between Widnes and us and the games were, until their last season when they had fallen off the pace, hard to predict and exciting.

This time round it hasn't had the same intensity probably because we were winning trophies, they were at the other end of the table, and even when they beat us we just shrugged it off and said its the Cup Final for them but we were too cool to care about a league fixture like this as we knew we would be in the top two at the end of the season anyway.

Maybe now Widnes are on the up and we are on the decline the derbies might come back on to our radar again.