I was told after the match that there were 44,000 on that night.

I was sat on the ringside for the Saints 47,747 game. I was only 10 years old at the time so probably didn't see the "big deal" except having to wait ages for a bus home.



The Manly game was amazing, we were sat in the Dougie Stand, but even walking up to the ground you knew it was a special night, the town was buzzing.
After the game I went with my dad for a beer in what is now the snooker club, just to let the crowd get away.
We finished up getting back to Billinge at around 11:30 that night.

Amazing atmosphere, probably the best I have ever witnessed.

Next time we meet Matty, remember to ask me about Leeds away in the Challenge Cup in 1957.

I agree. After watching the DVD countless times; Goodway was immense, he was everywhere and his handling skills as mentioned were unbelievable. Nothing against the big man Wane, he played really well, especially in offloadding and he defended like a warrior as well as gettin stuck in with the biff alongside Brian Case. The whole forward pack that night were brilliant with Case, Wane, Potter, Goodway and Hanley all taking it to the Manly team big time! Lydon and Hampo also played well. But it was a great team effort to keep them out all game. I loved to hear the channel 10 commentators blaming the referee's bias at the end and going on about how the game was so different in England; because it showed we'd rattled them and they didn't want to admit it. They even defended the late shot on Lydon for the red card ha. I just wish I'd been alive to be at that game! Brilliant stuff.

And another thing ..........

Remember the team's entrances. Manly ran out as all teams did . Then, Wigan marched out slowly, in a line led by Hanley. I can't quite explain it, but it seemed to indicate a steely determination and focus. Awe inspiring.

In 1990, the Scottish RU team entered the field in the same manner, in a Grand Slam decider in the 5 Nations, and the media went on and on and on about the great psychologcal blow they'd struck ............. Ellery and his boys had done it 3 years earlier

They had actually been doing that for a few months. I seem to remember it starting at the first home game after getting knocked out of the Challenge Cup by Oldham. I do remember reading about it in the paper at the time, but I can't remember whether it was a retrospective piece, or whether the the report said they planned to do it. Think it was the latter but I can't be sure.

Either way, I think it was planned to replicate somehow the entrances made a cup finals, and in particular, Wembley.

The Manly game was a real I was there moment. It is easily the best atmosphere that I have seen and the greatest occasion that I have been to, it really was that special. Sadly due to the new stadiums and health and safety nothing will ever come close to it again. Just thinking about it again makes me realise how much I miss Central Park and the atmosphere.