Re: Talk about a Player, any Player. : Mon Sep 08, 2014 8:08 pm  

Tin Soldier wrote:

Phil Blake. His ability to chip a short ball over defenders (usually full backs) heads, and catch the ball was fantastic to watch.

oooh yes, paticularly impressive since he invariably lost one of his boots during the process.

Re: Talk about a Player, any Player. : Mon Sep 08, 2014 8:40 pm  

morrisseyisawire wrote:

I'd have loved to have seen Chris' developmnent had he signed in 2008 not 1988.

Reckon he was past it by 08.

Re: Talk about a Player, any Player. : Mon Sep 08, 2014 9:19 pm  

Allan Bateman. Came over with Kevin Ellis and Rowland Philips from the Wales RU international side as part of a big triple scoop for Wire. A great centre with amazing acceleration, pace and balance who could glide round opposing players. He was also an amazing tackler with perfect technique.

Allan was my hero and many years back when I worked at Morrisons behind the cooked chicken counter, I used to pack the bag with many different pieces of chicken and label it '2 wings' when I was working and when he came over. Looking back I think he was probably a bit embarrassed, but at the time I wanted to do my bit to show my appreciation for his performances and do my bit for the Wire by increasing the protein intake.

Re: Talk about a Player, any Player. : Mon Sep 08, 2014 10:07 pm  

Gazwire wrote:

Allan Bateman. Came over with Kevin Ellis and Rowland Philips from the Wales RU international side as part of a big triple scoop for Wire. A great centre with amazing acceleration, pace and balance who could glide round opposing players. He was also an amazing tackler with perfect technique.

Allan was my hero and many years back when I worked at Morrisons behind the cooked chicken counter, I used to pack the bag with many different pieces of chicken and label it '2 wings' when I was working and when he came over. Looking back I think he was probably a bit embarrassed, but at the time I wanted to do my bit to show my appreciation for his performances and do my bit for the Wire by increasing the protein intake.

I remember Allan making his debut in the A team. He took a kick off near our line, broke the first tackle and hared off. It was obvious then he would make it big style, and adapt effortlessly. He had superb upper body strength,natural fitness and once he adapted to the game, which he did almost immeditately, he was a fantastic player. A true wingers centre, utterly selfless. Not to forget he also had a successful stint in the NRL which for a RU convert was some going.

Re: Talk about a Player, any Player. : Mon Sep 08, 2014 11:08 pm  

Went to Watersheddings Oldham in 1981 to watch Warrington get a pasting from an Oldham team that was marshalled by their no9 Roger O'Mahoney.

His influence in our defeat didn't go unnoticed and he was signed up to play for the Wire.
He settled into the side well and he packed up between Dave Chishall, Neil Courtney and/or Andy Holbrook.

In his 2nd season he was awarded with player of the year....for some reason not known to anyone, the club stripped that accolade from him, he subsequently left us.
He was followed by John Bevan who was working in relations at the club...Bevan was disgusted with the treatment of Roger and walked out on us.

It took a long time before John Bevan was seen back at our club again.

Re: Talk about a Player, any Player. : Mon Sep 08, 2014 11:13 pm  

Wire Yed wrote:

I remember watching a Wire v Saints game in the Oak Tree in Newton-l-w and shouting out, completely oblivious 'Go on Love" after he made a half break, I was getting wolf whistles for the rest of the game and camp mocking.

5 game ban?

Re: Talk about a Player, any Player. : Mon Sep 08, 2014 11:15 pm  

Barbed Wire wrote:

Not my favourite player, but when he first broke through you could feel the excitement when the ball went near him. Toa Kohe Love just had an aura about in, and was well before his time. In his first stint with the club, the way he could delay catching the ball, and step of either foot to skip back inside a ball watching defender was just brilliant, something that Matt Gidley and Martin Gleeson were experts at, but in '96 it was unseen and he could tear teams to bits. Really kicked on in 1998 and scored a bucket full.

When he left, he showed class and respect. Always saluted the Warrington crowd but not so much to offend the Hull fans.

Came back and while he didn't set the world alight , he contributed plenty. Considering everytime we got into decent field position we went right to Swann, Gleeson and Fa'afili.

Top bloke is Toa, his wifes' parents are friends of my mates' mum & dad

Re: Talk about a Player, any Player. : Tue Sep 09, 2014 7:20 am  

Barbed Wire wrote:

Not my favourite player, but when he first broke through you could feel the excitement when the ball went near him. Toa Kohe Love just had an aura about in, and was well before his time. In his first stint with the club, the way he could delay catching the ball, and step of either foot to skip back inside a ball watching defender was just brilliant, something that Matt Gidley and Martin Gleeson were experts at, but in '96 it was unseen and he could tear teams to bits. Really kicked on in 1998 and scored a bucket full.

When he left, he showed class and respect. Always saluted the Warrington crowd but not so much to offend the Hull fans.

Came back and while he didn't set the world alight , he contributed plenty. Considering everytime we got into decent field position we went right to Swann, Gleeson and Fa'afili.

TKL was my era and he was a very exciting player, scored loads of tries for us and was one of my favourite players at the time. His kids go to the same school as my kids and I still get star struck.

Re: Talk about a Player, any Player. : Tue Sep 09, 2014 7:40 am  

Here is the mission...

I would love to know the story behind the Roger O'Mahoney saga at the end of his stint at Wire.

As for as I'm aware he didn't play on for another club, well certainly not in Slalom Larger Division One anyway as I think it was back then.

I wish I'd had ask Okher, he would have known. Unless someone knows on here I'll try to get to ask John Bevan next time he is up a past players event.

Re: Talk about a Player, any Player. : Tue Sep 09, 2014 11:26 am  

Ian Knott.
Talented and versatile player for Wire in the 1990s who ended up going to Wakey then Leigh before having to retire due to a chronic back injury which has now left him in permanent pain/discomfort and having to use a walking stick.
A reminder, along with Grixy's sickener the other night, of what the players sometimes have to go through in this great game
of ours.