Still feels like the home ground to me.

Thought George m, Patel and roper were very good! Always be the best ground in the world, shame a walk around the terraces wasn't allowed. Wanted a quarter of black and rasps from the shop on the corner and to come home with some sweaty, wintergreen laden tie-ups

Lovely evening, just disappointed that they didn't at least allow us onto the field afterwards.

I have been to Wilderspool at least 50 times since the last first-team game, so I have never really said goodbye. Every time since, it's never been the same as watching a full Wire game, but I have seen some crackers from u20's to Wizards and Aussie kids' touring matches.

It's like moving on from an old friend. You don't see them much anymore, because you've moved on and they'll never change, but you always know which pub the crusty old sod will be in if you ever want to go back and say hello.

Then one day, he's not there anymore. Tonight was very sad for that reason, but the game was of a very good standard and clearly meant a lot to all the lads who played.

There were TV cameras and interviews outside, which I presume will be on Boots N All next week and a real air of finality about the whole affair. I shunned the St James' entrance and walked over the bridge, down the causeway and down the Fletch one last time. Still no one was banging on the back of the tin shed. We talked about it, though. Ah nostalgia - always somehow, inexplicably, better than today.

Saturday the 31st of May is open day. Bring a wheelbarrow, go on the pitch, stand on the terraces, unscrew a seat. One last stand, but today was an excellent last ever game.

Warrington's Ryan Johnson scored the last ever try. The PA was so crackly that I could have sworn he said 'Brain'. How weird would that have been?




Saturday the 31st

I thought he did say 'Brian' and almost spontaneously burst out with "Barmy Army".

Was a great last experience of Wilderspool. Would have loved to have been in the Fletcher end, but there's always the open day to say 'bye' to that.

A definite tear in the eye and lump in the throat. I must've turned around at least 10 times for 'one last look'

Even without the singing and chanting, the place was filled with atmosphere

Is this open day for definite? Excellent, won't have to risk getting done for breaking and entering now.

I thought the same, the concrete and corrugated iron just seems to generate atmosphere. Unfortunately the Halliwell Jones just doesn't possess the same soul. One little note of disappointment was that I didn't see Tony Smith or any of the senior players there (unless they were otherwise engaged).

Anyway personally very proud of the whole occasion as our lad skippered the side and I hope the spirit of Mike Gregory would have approved.

Made up for you.
A very proud moment that can never be taken away.

Would be gutted if there was an open day on the 31st one day I couldn't get out of work. Would love a bit of the place. I know Cardiff city sold the lot by auction when their ground was knocked down.

The sad thing about the place is how untidy the place was given that it's still been in use for all those years. And what happened to a chunk of the seating. Seems the places has been broken into a few times looking at the scoreboard and Snookers side.

Shame it's going with a little bit of love and rebuilding it could have become the new base for Warrington town and other sporting teams in the town.

Match report: warringtonwolves.com/wilderspool ... ewell-7050

Match report: warringtonwolves.com/wilderspool ... ewell-7050

loved the old wilderspool, what was the Tetley pub near it

what time is this open day

I seem to remember us selling them to Oldham or someone.

lampyboy↓
Re: Good bye Wilderspool
Fri May 16, 2014 2:35 pm
loved the old wilderspool, what was the Tetley pub near it


I don't think there was a Tetley pub near Wilderspool . The nearest pub to it is The Causeway which (like 80% of pubs in the town back then) was a Greenall's pub. It's about 200 metres down Wilderspool Causeway walking away from the town centre. The nearest pub in the opposite direction is the Royal Oak Branch which was also a Greenall's one. There was also a Greenall's opposite ROB which is now a furniture shop - possibly the Golden Lion.

Although there was Tetley brewery in the town - on the site of the HJ / Tesco - there were very few Tetley pubs - The Lord Rodney was one, and in the town centre the Old Lion (now Flares). Almost every other pub was. Greenall's one. #mostofallImissmygreenalls

Quote ="Brixton Wire"lampyboy↓ Re: Good bye Wilderspool Fri May 16, 2014 2:35 pm loved the old wilderspool, what was the Tetley pub near it I don't think there was a Tetley pub near Wilderspool . The nearest pub to it is The Causeway which (like 80% of pubs in the town back then) was a Greenall's pub. It's about 200 metres down Wilderspool Causeway walking away from the town centre. The nearest pub in the opposite direction is the Royal Oak Branch which was also a Greenall's one. There was also a Greenall's opposite ROB which is now a furniture shop - possibly the Golden Lion. Although there was Tetley brewery in the town - on the site of the HJ / Tesco - there were very few Tetley pubs - The Lord Rodney was one, and in the town centre the Old Lion (now Flares). Almost every other pub was. Greenall's one. #mostofallImissmygreenalls'" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzsL6uE ... TuENabnHc1

Quote ="Brixton Wire"lampyboy↓ Re: Good bye Wilderspool Fri May 16, 2014 2:35 pm loved the old wilderspool, what was the Tetley pub near it I don't think there was a Tetley pub near Wilderspool . The nearest pub to it is The Causeway which (like 80% of pubs in the town back then) was a Greenall's pub. It's about 200 metres down Wilderspool Causeway walking away from the town centre. The nearest pub in the opposite direction is the Royal Oak Branch which was also a Greenall's one. There was also a Greenall's opposite ROB which is now a furniture shop - possibly the Golden Lion. Although there was Tetley brewery in the town - on the site of the HJ / Tesco - there were very few Tetley pubs - The Lord Rodney was one, and in the town centre the Old Lion (now Flares). Almost every other pub was. Greenall's one. #mostofallImissmygreenalls'" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzsL6uE ... TuENabnHc1

[urlhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ch5O17C7l-8&feature=youtu.be[/url

Not great (handheld) like but the last try scored at Wilderspool if anyone's interested.

Looks way better than I had expected.

Keys were apparently handed over to the demo team at 9am this morning...

Thought there was going to be a goodbye event?!

If there is a good bye event on the 31st, that'll be a great way to start my birthday...sneak my last ever pint in the fletch. Magic.

I'm beginning to think it will just be a corporate meal at the HJ...

According to the Wolves Heritage section there will be a final "Farewell Wilderspool Event" but admittedly it doesnt say where. BUT how can they say goodbye properly without actually being there !!!

I believe it's meant to take the form of an open day at Wilderspool, activities on the pitch etc.

Twas what I heard as well.

Activities on the pitch? I would happily pay £25 for the opportunity to romp ball in hand Richard Henare style down the right ring in front of the Brian Bevan stand.

Not full-length of the pitch you understand, I'm a bit past that. Maybe from the 25 yard line. So, not like Richard Henare at all then, more like Barry Peters. With a bad leg.