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Leeds Rhinos

The Leeds Rhinos are a professional rugby league club in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. The club play their home games at AMT Headingley Rugby Stadium and compete in the Super League, the top tier of British rugby league.

Leeds Rhinos have won the League Championship 11 times, Challenge Cup 14 times and World Club Challenge three times.

The club share big long-standing West Yorkshire Derby rivalries with Huddersfield Giants and Bradford Bulls. Leeds' traditional home colours are blue and amber shirts with white shorts and blue socks.

1870–1895: Foundation and early years
In 1864, H. I. Jenkinson placed an advert in the Leeds Mercury inviting players to meet up at Woodhouse Moor a few days a week from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. That advert attracted more than 500 members. From this interest several clubs were formed, including Leeds St John's.

Leeds St John's was formed in 1870 and was originally known as the "Old Blue and Ambers". The club played at the Militia Barracks from 1870 to 1888 before moving to Cardigan Fields, near Headingley, Leeds. Membership was originally confined to the church classes but was soon expanded. By 1887 St John's had reached its first cup final, the Yorkshire Cup losing to Wakefield Trinity.

The city of Leeds had an abundance of rugby football clubs and although members of the Yorkshire RFU (which was in turn a constituent body of the RFU), it was decided to form a 'more local' association. It was for this reason that the Leeds & District organisation was formalised when a meeting took place at the Green Dragon Hotel, Leeds on 27 September 1888. The foundation clubs were Bramley, Holbeck, Hunslet, Kirkstall, Leeds Parish Church, Leeds St John's and Wortley.

In 1888 the Cardigan Estate was sold at auction and Lot 17a was purchased by a group of Leeds citizens, who intended to form the city's leading sports club. Lot 17a became what is now Headingley Stadium.

Leeds St John's played its final season under that name in 1889–90, before becoming the football section of Leeds Cricket, Football and Athletic Co Ltd the following season. With Headingley still being completed, Leeds' first game was staged at Cardigan Fields, the home side defeating Otley. The first game at Headingley was played on 20 September 1890, when Manningham were beaten by one try and one dropped goal to nil.

After the 1890–91 season, Leeds along with other Yorkshire Senior clubs Batley, Bradford, Brighouse, Dewsbury, Halifax, Huddersfield, Hull, Hunslet, Leeds, Liversedge, Manningham and Wakefield decided that they wanted their own county league starting in 1891 along the lines of a similar competition that had been played in Lancashire. The clubs wanted full control of the league but the Yorkshire Rugby Football Union would not sanction the competition as it meant giving up control of rugby football to the senior clubs.

In 1892, 27,654 spectators, a then record in British rugby, attended the third round showdown between Leeds and Halifax at Headingley.

1895–1920: Northern Union breakaway
A special general meeting was held in 1895 that voted decisively to support the breakaway Northern Union as a founder member, resulting in two resignations from the club. Leeds' début in the Northern Union was a 6–3 success at Leigh on 7 September 1895, the inaugural day of the new competition.

In 1901, the Leeds Parish Church team disbanded and put all of its players at Leeds' disposal. That same year saw the formation of the Northern Rugby League, with a number of leading clubs leaving the Yorkshire League and the Lancashire League and joining the new competition. Leeds was not admitted until the following year when it was placed in the newly formed second division and quickly gained promotion as runners-up to Keighley.

Leeds City FC joined football's Second Division in 1905–06, and finished sixth out of 20 clubs in the club's first season. Rugby's monopoly with the locals seemed to have been broken, with Leeds Rugby League's average gate numbers falling by nearly 50% in that first league season.

In 1910, Leeds came of age with the team finishing in sixth place in the league, but that was just a warm-up for the Challenge Cup campaign. Leeds beat Hull Kingston Rovers, Rochdale Hornets, Keighley and then scraped through 11–10 against Warrington in the semifinal before meeting Hull F.C. in the final. Rain on the morning of the game meant conditions were against flowing rugby. The scores were level at 7–7 with fifteen minutes left. However, neither team could break the deadlock, and the final went to a replay two days later, again at Fartown, Huddersfield. Leeds made no mistake this time and ran out convincing 26–12 winners having led 16–0 at half-time.

The club lost many players to the First World War; of a total of fifty-one players who served in the military, fifteen were killed. The usual league programme was interrupted during 1914–18. During this period, Leeds played a number of "guest players" in the Emergency League competition. The Headingley club reached the Championship final for the first time in 1915, but lost 35–2 to Huddersfield, then a record score. The Emergency League was then suspended. Leeds reverted to rugby union during the First World War to play a one-off challenge game against the Royal Navy Depot from Plymouth in 1917. This was a precursor to the following Christmas when two Challenge games were organised between the two sides but this time with one of each code. The Navy won the union game 9–3 on Christmas Eve but proved equally adept at league recording a 24–3 win on 28 December.

1921–1942: Inter-war period
In 1921, Harold Buck became the game's first £1,000 transfer when he moved from Hunslet to Leeds.

On Saturday 27 October 1934, Leeds and Wakefield Trinity met in the final of the Yorkshire Cup at Crown Flatt, Dewsbury. The match was played in front of a crowd of 22,598 and ended in a 5–5 draw. Four days later the two clubs drew again, with Leeds eventually lifting the trophy after a second replay, the only occasion it took three attempts to settle a Yorkshire Cup Final. A total of 52,402 spectators watched the three games.

Leeds forward Joe Thompson was the top point scorer for both the 1929–30 and 1927–28 seasons.

In 1937, Leeds paid the stand-off Vic Hey a then-record £1,400 signing-on fee to lure him from Australia. Vic was regarded as a major loss to the Australian game and this contributed to the RFL imposing a ban on international transfers, which lasted until 1940.

In 1938, Leeds played Swinton in the Rugby Football League Championship semi-final. Leeds won the match 5 points to 2 to set up a history-making all-Leeds clash with neighbours Hunslet in the final. The match was played at the Elland Road football ground, to accommodate a huge demand from the city's rugby league supporters. Over 54,000 people watched the game, a then record for a match in England. Hunslet triumphed 8–2 to take the title.

Leeds won the Challenge Cup in 1941 and 1942 beating Halifax both times at games held at Odsal.

1950–1960: Post-war
Following the Second World War, Leeds club struggled to make a serious impact in rugby league despite having a financial advantage over the majority of other teams. Arthur Clues was the first Australian to come and play in Britain after the war and the great Australian second rower was signed by Leeds. His rivalry with the Great Britain and Wales prop Frank Whitcombe, who played for Bradford Northern was legendary. Their confrontations on the field during the Leeds v Bradford Northern local derby games are part of rugby league folklore.

It was not until the late 1950s, when in 1957 the club secured its first post-war Challenge Cup victory, that the young side being built began to show signs of what was to come. Joe Warham came to Leeds as coach in 1958 and a Yorkshire Cup triumph followed, but the side still lacked enough quality to compete at the top of the Lancashire section of the competition in which it was then playing.

However, "the Loiners" (their historical nickname) were to establish themselves as a dominant force by the end of the coming decade. In 1960 Dai Prosser was appointed to assist Joe Warham with the coaching duties and the club signed a new back three of Jack Fairbank, Brian Shaw and Dennis Goodwin to strengthen the forward pack. The recruitment paid off: the club was crowned Champions for the first time in 1961 with Lewis Jones leading them to a 25–10 victory over Warrington in the Championship Final at Odsal Stadium, Bradford.

1960–1980: First Championship titles
In the late 1960s, under the guidance of Roy Francis, Leeds repeatedly finished top of the league. The club contested perhaps the most memorable of all Wembley occasions, the "watersplash final" of 1968, which was played despite a downpour that saturated the pitch. It produced the most dramatic of finishes, when Lance Todd trophy winner Don Fox had the easiest of conversions to win it for Wakefield Trinity, but missed it to leave Leeds 11–10 winners.

Francis then quit the club to take up a coaching position in Australia, and Joe Warham again took charge as coach, on an interim basis, midway through the 1969 campaign. The Championship trophy duly returned to Headingley for the second time after a tough final against Castleford at Odsal Stadium.

In 1970 Leeds returned to the Championship final, and Odsal, but lost to St. Helens despite having taken an early lead. Tables were turned in December when the same teams met in the final of the BBC2 Floodlit Trophy, Leeds emerging victorious this time.

Coached by Derek "Rocky" Turner, Leeds returned to Wembley in 1971 and 1972 but lost out both times – in 1971 losing 24–7 to rank outsiders Leigh and suffering the indignity of captain Syd Hynes being the first man to 'take an early bath' at Wembley. A third championship, in 1972, provided consolation.

Eric Ashton (former Wigan and Great Britain centre) coached Leeds for the 1973–74 season before leaving to coach St. Helens.

Leeds continued to collect silverware: the Regal Trophy in 1973 and the Premiership (the then-current form of the championship playoff) in 1975. The team held the Yorkshire Cup seven times between 1969 and 1980.

1976–77 was a season of mixed emotions. The Salford versus Leeds league match was abandoned after 38 minutes when Chris Sanderson of Leeds suffered a fatal injury. Leeds led 5–2, but the game was declared null and void and not replayed. The club recovered to win the Challenge Cup at the end of the season. This success was repeated in 1978, in a classic final against St Helens at Wembley Stadium with Leeds completing what was then a record comeback, from 10–0 down. Former captain Syd Hynes was coach on both occasions.

This was followed up with another Premiership win, in 1979. However, these victories were the 'last hurrah' of the great 1960s, and 1970s sides and a barren spell followed in the 1980s.

1980–1996: Nearly Men
Leeds' only triumphs were the 1984 John Player Trophy (beating Widnes) under coach Maurice Bamford and the Yorkshire County Cup in 1980 (beating Hull Kingston Rovers) and 1988(beating Castleford). Leeds were beaten finalists in the John Player Trophy four times in the 1980s, and 1990s.

Between December 1986 and April 1988, Maurice Bamford was coach of Leeds. Leeds eventually returned to Wembley for a Challenge Cup Final appearance in 1994 against Wigan. Leeds returned to Wembley a year later, again to face Wigan again, but were beaten more easily.

1996–2003: Start of the Super League era
In 1996 Gary Hetherington sold his controlling interest in Sheffield Eagles and joined Paul Caddick to take over the ailing Leeds C F & A Co Ltd, owners and operators of Headingley Stadium and Leeds Rugby League Club. 1996 marked the beginning of summer rugby as the first tier of British rugby league clubs played the inaugural Super League season and changed from a winter to a summer season.

In 1997, the club renamed itself Leeds Rhinos. Dean Bell took over as head coach following his retirement as a player at Auckland Warriors. Iestyn Harris joined Leeds that year for a record-breaking £350,000 transfer and was appointed captain in his first full season at the age of only 21. Leeds experienced great financial difficulty and even flirted with relegation as they won only six matches all year and finished third from bottom in Super League, above only Oldham and Paris.

Bell became head of the academy team. In 1998 Graham Murray replaced Bell and joined the Leeds Rhinos as head coach and the team reached the inaugural Grand Final, at Old Trafford, being beaten by Wigan. In 1999 Leeds finally landed their first silverware in a decade, and their first Challenge Cup for more than 20 years, with a convincing 52–16 win over London at Wembley.

In 2000, Leeds reached the Challenge Cup Final but finished runners up to Yorkshire rivals Bradford at Murrayfield, Edinburgh. Daryl Powell became coach of Leeds after he retired from playing in 2001. In 2003, despite being top of the table at the time, Leeds announced Tony Smith would replace Darryl Powell as head coach for the 2004 season. Leeds returned to the Challenge Cup final in 2003, again to face Bradford, this time at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff where they were beaten 22–20.

2004–2017: Golden Era
The Rhinos ended their 32-year wait for a league championship by winning the 2004 Super League Grand Final This marked the start of more than a decade of on-field success. As champions of the previous year, Leeds played in the 2005 World Club Challenge beating the 2004 Australian premiers Canterbury Bulldogs. Leeds next trophy was the 2007 Grand Final, which marked the final game as coach of the club for Tony Smith. He was replaced by former New Zealand international team coach Brian McClennan. Further success followed in 2008 when Leeds again beat Australian opposition in the 2008 World Club Challenge, Melbourne Storm the defeated opponents on this occasion. Leeds then retained the Super League championship by winning the Grand final. This marked the first time the club had won consecutive titles. A third consecutive league title followed in 2009, when Leeds won the 2009 Super League Grand Final, and thus became the first club ever to win the trophy three times in a row.

After failing to win a trophy in 2010, Leeds started the 2011 season in mixed form, and by July appeared to be in danger of missing out on the play-offs completely. They ultimately did finish in a play-off spot and went on to win the 2011 Super League Grand Final. They reached the Challenge Cup Final in 2012, as they had the previous year, but again finished runners up. The Rhinos did however, successfully defend their Super League title by winning the 2012 Super League Grand Final. Success in the Grand Final earned them another World Club Challenge match against Melbourne Storm, in which they were defeated. Leeds would ultimately fail to win any silverware in 2013, however they did end their long run without a Challenge Cup final win by beating Castleford Tigers at Wembley in the 2014 final.

In March 2014, it was announced that Leeds would share a partnership with the Atlanta Rhinos, who play in the USA Rugby League. Leeds stated they would help bring a professional approach to the Atlanta club by sharing information and playing talent.

The Treble
Leeds had a highly successful season in 2015, winning the Challenge Cup, League Leaders Shield and the Grand Final, completing the modern day rugby league treble and becoming only the third team in the Super League era to achieve this after Bradford in 2003 and St. Helens in 2006.

Leeds' victory in the 2015 Grand Final was the final competitive game of Rugby League for three long serving players of the game, as Jamie Peacock & Kylie Leuluai retired at the end of the season and Kevin Sinfield joined Leeds' sister club in Rugby Union, Yorkshire Carnegie.

Leeds struggled in the season following their best ever season in 2015. they spent most of the regular season in the bottom two league positions before finding form and just missing out on 8th place to Widnes therefore being confined to fight to keep their Super League status in The Qualifiers for the first time. The club comfortably finished first in the Qualifiers only losing to Huddersfield.

The following season was a return to form, finishing second to Castleford and only a point off of their 2015 treble winning season tally. They went on to play Castleford in the Grand Final winning 24–6, the club's 11th title and 8th of the Super League era.

2018–present: Struggles and rebuild
After the successful 2017 season, the 2016 season was written off as an anomaly, however 2018 was to be another bad year for the club. They finished 9th in the regular season and finished second in the Qualifiers narrowly avoiding the Million Pound Game on points difference.

For the 2019 season the club appointed former player David Furner as head coach to rebuild the team. After an unsuccessful start to the season Furner was sacked and replaced with Richard Agar as caretaker coach. Agars first game in charge was a loss in the Challenge Cup to second division Bradford Bulls. Agar was given the job permanently at the end of the season after keeping the club in Super League.

Leeds made a bright start to the 2020 Super League season although their season was disrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the postponed season the club made it to their first Challenge Cup final in five years where they beat Salford 17–16. It was their first major trophy after the 'Golden Era'. Leeds reached the first week of the playoffs but were eliminated after losing to Catalans Dragons 26–14.

In the 2021 Super League season, Leeds finished in 5th place on the table and qualified for the playoffs. In the elimination playoff, they defeated Wigan 8–0 at the DW Stadium to book a semi-final match against St Helens. Leeds started the 2022 Super League season poorly winning only one match in their opening 10 games. Before Leeds round 10 match against Toulouse Olympique, Leeds were sat 11th on the table. Following the clubs round 11 victory over Hull Kingston Rovers, Agar resigned as head coach of the club. He was later replaced by Rohan Smith. Under Smith, Leeds won 13 of their next 18 games to reach the 2022 Super League Grand Final. Along the way, the club upset both Catalans Dragons and Wigan in the playoffs to reach the decider. In the grand final, Leeds were defeated 24–12 against St Helens RFC. Leeds finished the 2023 Super League season in 8th place and could not replicate what happened in 2022. The club also suffered heavy losses throughout the year including a 61–0 loss against the Catalans Dragons and a 50–0 defeat by Wigan.

Colours and badge
Colours Leeds play in traditional Leeds colours blue and amber (home). Their home kits are famously blue with an amber band around the chest and on the arms. Between 2011 and 2013 Leeds wore pink away kits with proceeds of shirt sales going to breast cancer charities.

Badge Between the club's foundation in 1865 and the formation of Super League in 1996 Leeds used the city's crest on their kits as they were just known as Leeds RLFC or Leeds Loiners. In 1996, the formation of Super League saw Leeds change their name to Leeds Rhinos. The new badge is mainly blue and has a rhino with the word rhino above it in a semi circle and Leeds at the top of the badge.

Stadium
Leeds have played at Headingley since 1890 and the ground is owned by Leeds. The rugby ground is also on the same site as the cricket ground operated by Yorkshire County Cricket Club. The North Stand of the rugby ground backs onto the cricket ground. The Carnegie Stand was built in 2006 to replace the old, uncovered, Eastern Terrace and also expanded the capacity to 21,000, adding extra seating on the top tier and terracing on the bottom.

Between 2017 and 2019 the stadium was extensively redeveloped with both the South and North Stands being demolished and replaced by modern constructions, the latter in co-operation with Yorkshire CCC. Seating was added in the upper level of the new South Stand and a large corporate suite, originally called the Emerald Suite, is located within the North Stand overlooking both cricket and rugby pitches. Any significant redevelopment or expansion of the Western Terrace would require the demolition of housing and rerouting of a public right of way.

Kit sponsors and manufacturers
Leeds have had four shirt sponsors since 1981. In April 1994, they signed a 10-year sponsorship deal with Tetley's Brewery worth a record £2.3 million. The Rhinos' current main shirt sponsors, Leeds Building Society, are currently the longest sponsorship deal the club have had. In 2023 the club signed a three-year extension with Leeds Building Society, making it the longest shirt sponsorship deal of any English rugby team in both codes. Since 2020 the club's kits have been made by UK-based company Oxen.

Mascot
Ronnie the Rhino is the mascot of Leeds Rhinos. He gets the crowd going before the match and at half time he normally gets children involved by playing some sort of game. Ronnie the Rhino visits schools as part of the Leeds Rhinos Community project, with the intention of promoting sports and healthy living. Former "Ronnie" Daniel Duffy stood for Leeds North West in the 1997 general election, obtaining 232 votes.

Rivalries
During the early part of the Super League era, Leeds' main local rivals were Bradford Bulls, who they played in two Grand Finals and beat in 2004 to win their first Super League title. However the Bulls have since slipped down to the lower leagues and competitive games are rare. Leeds also have a cross-city rivalry with Hunslet, who they play annually in the Harry Jepson OBE Memorial Cup. Leeds and Hunslet F.C. played against each other in the 'all Leeds' 1938 Championship Final at Elland Road, won by Hunslet, which attracted a still-record Rugby League attendance for the city of 54,112. Since the 1970s, however, Hunslet have largely played in lower leagues so competitive fixtures are rare.

Leeds also have West Yorkshire derbies with Castleford Tigers and with Wakefield Trinity, who they play every Boxing Day in the annual Festive Challenge.

Since the formation of Super League there has been a major rivalry with St. Helens, who lost five consecutive Grand Finals between 2007 and 2011, four of which were against Leeds. The two sides have been the most successful during the Super League era. There are also other cross-Pennine rivalries against Wigan Warriors, whom they have played in big games and beat in a final for the first time in 2015, and against Warrington Wolves, who they have played in Challenge Cup and Grand Finals.

2024 squad
''Where a player has played internationally for more than one country, the nations are indicated with the most recently represented first. A slash (/) indicates an uncapped player of dual nationality.''

Players Out
🏴 Derrell Olpherts
 * Wakefield Trinity

Harry Sunderland Trophy winners
The Harry Sunderland Trophy is awarded to the Man-of-the-Match in the Super League Grand Final by the Rugby League Writers' Association.

Lance Todd Trophy winners
The Lance Todd Trophy is awarded to the Man-of-the-Match in the Challenge Cup Final. Introduced in 1946, the trophy was named in memory of Lance Todd, the New Zealand-born player and administrator, who was killed in a road accident during the Second World War.

† = Won Lance Todd Trophy whilst on losing side

Man of Steel winners
The Man of Steel Award (latterly the Steve Prescott Man of Steel Award) is an annual honour, awarded by the Super League to the most outstanding player in the British game for that year.

Golden Boot winners
The Golden Boot Award is a rugby league award handed out annually for achievements in rugby league by Rugby League World magazine. The Golden Boot is given, usually in December after the conclusion of all the year's matches, to the player adjudged to be the best in the world, as determined by a ballot of international media representatives.

It was decided by the judges that Garry Schofield should be the winner in 1990, but unfortunately the sponsors of the Golden Boot backed out and the award was shelved. After a nine-year hiatus, League Publications Ltd, having bought Rugby League World, brought back the award in 1999. In 2011 they decided to give Schofield his Golden Boot and he is now included in the roll call of winners of the prestigious award.

The oldest winner of the award is Kevin Sinfield, who won in 2012 at the age of 32.

Hall of Fame
The Rhinos instigated a hall of fame in 2017. Up to four players will be inducted each year. The qualifications for inductees are that they have:
 * made at least 150 appearances for the club,
 * made an exceptional contribution to rugby in Leeds,
 * achieved representative honours, and
 * been retired for at least five years (apart from in exceptional circumstances, as was the case with Rob Burrow in 2020).

Club officials

 * }Club President Andrew Thirkill

League
First Division / Super League: Second Division / Championship: Premiership: RFL Yorkshire League:
 * Winners (11): 1960–61, 1968–69, 1971–72, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017
 * Runners up (12): 1914–15, 1928–29, 1929–30, 1930–31, 1937–38, 1969–70, 1972–73, 1994–95, 1995–96, 1998, 2005, 2022
 * Runners up (1): 1902–03
 * Winners (2): 1974–75, 1978–79
 * Runners up (1): 1994–95
 * Winners (15): 1901–02, 1927–28, 1930–31, 1933–34, 1934–35, 1936–37, 1937–38, 1950–51, 1954–55, 1956–57, 1960–61, 1966–67, 1967–68, 1968–69, 1969–70

Cups
Challenge Cup: League Cup: BBC2 Floodlit Trophy: Yorkshire Cup:
 * Winners (14): 1909–10, 1922–23, 1931–32, 1935–36, 1940–41, 1941–42, 1956–57, 1967–68, 1976–77, 1977–78, 1999, 2014, 2015, 2020
 * Runners up (12): 1942–43, 1946–47, 1970–71, 1971–72, 1993–94, 1994–95, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2010, 2011, 2012
 * Winners (2): 1972–73, 1983–84
 * Runners up (3): 1982–83, 1987–88, 1991–92
 * Winners (1): 1970–71
 * Winners (17): 1921–22, 1928–29, 1930–31, 1932–33, 1934–35, 1935–36, 1937–38, 1958–59, 1968–69, 1970–71, 1972–73, 1973–74, 1975–76, 1976–77, 1979–80, 1980–81, 1988–89
 * Runners up (4): 1919–20, 1947–48, 1961–62, 1964–65,

International
World Club Challenge:
 * Winners (3): 2005, 2008, 2012
 * Runners up (5): 2009, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2018

Club Records

 * Biggest win:
 * 102-0 v. Coventry (at Headingley, 1913)

 * Biggest loss:
 * 74-0 v. New Zealand (at Headingley, 8 October 2022)

 * Highest all-time attendance:
 * 40,175 v. Bradford (at Headingley, 21 May 1947)

 * Highest Super League attendance:
 * 23,246 v. Castleford (at Elland Road, 23 March 2018)

Player Records
Most appearances

Actors

 * Matthew Lewis
 * Sean Bean
 * Mark Smith

Presenters

 * Gabby Logan
 * Chris Hollins
 * Sue Barker
 * Clare Balding (TV)

Athletes

 * Wayne Rooney
 * Tim Henman
 * Boris Becker
 * Danyl Johnson
 * Nicky Campbell
 * Sean Morley (better known as Val Venis, Canadian Wrestler on WWE)
 * Martin O'Neill
 * Steve Walford
 * Alistair Brownlee
 * Jonathan Brownlee
 * Alex Brooker
 * Jonny Bairstow
 * Ben Darwin
 * Peter Wright

Other teams
Since 2017, Leeds Rhinos have operated a women's rugby league team and a netball team. Both teams compete in the top tier of their respective competitions, the RFL Women's Super League and the Netball Superleague. Since 2018, they have also operated a Physical Disability Team as well as a Learning Disability Team from 2019. They also have a wheelchair team that competes in the RFL Wheelchair Super League.

title: Leeds Rhinos


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Talk:Deutsche Mark

Euro conversion
" The Deutsche Mark ceased to be legal tender immediately upon the introduction of the euro—in contrast to the other eurozone nations, where the euro and legacy currency circulated side by side for up to two months. "  There is no source for this claim, which is contrary to what I experienced. 2600:6C67:1C00:5F7E:1D5E:981B:43A2:2E33 (talk) 02:05, 14 May 2022 (UTC)

Requested move 13 March 2023

 * The following is a closed discussion of a requested move. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made in a new section on the talk page. Editors desiring to contest the closing decision should consider a move review after discussing it on the closer's talk page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

The result of the move request was: Speedily not moved. Per WP:SKEEP #1, no rationale for moving has been advanced by the nominator, and no subsequent comments have favored moving. Any editor is welcome to speedily renominate if they actually do want to move the page. -- Tamzin  [ cetacean needed ] (she|they|xe) 18:01, 16 March 2023 (UTC)

Deutsche Mark → Deutschmark – TheCurrencyGuy has made mass changes altering wikilinks to this German currency to say "Deutschmark" as opposed to (for instance) "German mark" (examples 1 and 2), so I am curious as to whether someone would concur with them. However, I personally oppose this decision because the current title is a stable one and therefore should be allowed to stand. NotReallySoroka (talk) 08:46, 13 March 2023 (UTC)

 * Please clarify. You propose a change (move), and you say the current title is a stable one ... be allowed to stand. (Also, your two diffs are not clarifying). DePiep (talk) 11:05, 13 March 2023 (UTC)
 * @DePiep I am opposing my own proposal owing to the principles in favour of stable titles. Also, my two diffs are examples of TCG's edits in favour of "Deutschmark". NotReallySoroka (talk) 14:38, 13 March 2023 (UTC)
 * Got it. -DePiep (talk) 16:11, 13 March 2023 (UTC)

 * Comment Looks like the article coverts various historical currencies. I don't have time now, but we best gather an overview of (all) these currencies, their German names and possibly English names. Correctness is crucial, preferably by sources. Incidentally, ISO 4217 names can help, but are never defining (ISO follows not defines a currency; and only so after 1977 anyway). -DePiep (talk) 16:11, 13 March 2023 (UTC)
 * Oppose per WP:COMMONNAME based on the Google Ngrams. Rreagan007 (talk) 18:56, 13 March 2023 (UTC)
 * That Ngram says: three names ~equally popular. DePiep (talk) 07:20, 14 March 2023 (UTC)

 * Comment: three names in sight: "Deutsche Mark" (de, e.g., on banknotes), "Deutschmark" (en), "German mark" (en, transl). Same currency since 1948–2002 (historical since euro replacement). We can use more name usage background. -DePiep (talk) 07:28, 14 March 2023 (UTC)
 * ISO 4217 says DEM ="Deutsche Mark" (as lang=en; list 3=historical). So, no new/different en name from there. DePiep (talk) 11:44, 14 March 2023 (UTC)

The discussion above is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.
 * Comment: "deutschmark" (with no capitalization) is well attested in English, so I completely fail to see the point of the nominator's attempt to deprecate "deutschmark" from use on the website, which is what they seem to be doing. A term such as "German mark" is not particularly helpful as it is also used to describe the gold mark, papiermark, and reichsmark, whereas deutschmark always refers to the 1948-2002 currency. 92.9.5.232 (talk) 09:29, 15 March 2023 (UTC)
 * Oppose. We had this discussion a few years ago, and it was already demonstrated that the current name is the common and also correct name. Also, why propose a move you don't agree with? — Amakuru (talk) 10:12, 15 March 2023 (UTC)
 * I believe they are trying to get the word "deutschmark" deprecated. I am honestly neutral on the name of the article itself, but this sort of strict demand for a narrow nomenclature would be rather limiting, causing intense issues with use of quotes and such. Going through the website with a fine tooth comb simply to take out every instance of a widely used term in political and economic history would be rather totalitarian and unconstructive. 92.9.5.232 (talk) 11:16, 15 March 2023 (UTC)
 * There was a series of mass edits where someone with a proverbial "fine tooth comb" changed "ruble" - "a widely used term in political and economic history" especially in non-British English sources - to "rouble". Would that also be "totalitarian and unconstructive" in your opinion? NotReallySoroka (talk) 16:03, 15 March 2023 (UTC)
 * So why do you seek to become the thing you profess to dislike? All this is deeply unhelpful to anybody. This TCG person seemingly did not make mass changes from "Deutsche Mark" to "deutschmark", they just used it a few times. 92.9.5.232 (talk) 19:19, 15 March 2023 (UTC)
 * Any reversion of a mass disruption is by definition a mass action itself. NotReallySoroka (talk) 00:33, 16 March 2023 (UTC)
 * Think of it this way: TCG should have made this RM ("Deutsche Mark" -> "Deutschmark") if they preferred the latter term. They should have demonstrated why the current name is uncommon or incorrect. But they didn't. Therefore, I am trying to do what they should have done (seeking consensus for "Deutschmark"), even though I personally think that the present term is fine. NotReallySoroka (talk) 15:55, 15 March 2023 (UTC)
 * That's not helping in any way, NRS. No need to advocate for smthng you don't want. Do not advocate for someone else's misunderstood point. That's not 'clarification'. DePiep (talk) 15:59, 15 March 2023 (UTC)
 * So, do we let the disruption stand? Because that is just abetting the behaviour. NotReallySoroka (talk) 16:05, 15 March 2023 (UTC)
 * TheCurrencyGuy has seemingly been indefinitely blocked, so it's not like any disruption is likely to continue. Anyway, here we are. Re the above point, I'd have thought using "Deutsche Mark" in other articles is also preferable, seeing as it's both the common name and the more "correct" version. — Amakuru (talk) 18:04, 15 March 2023 (UTC)
 * Why do you even care that there are multiple formats for the name? Surely this is just like the r(o)uble example; a person attempting to force one variation in all circumstances. Checking your recent history you've even accused completely innocent people of being TCG simply for using the same terminology as they did. It isn't "disruption" if a term you don't like is used on some articles, many instances of "deutschmark" will have been there for many years, thus you would be the disruptive person by attempting to change them all. 92.9.5.232 (talk) 19:22, 15 March 2023 (UTC)
 * By your own logic, "many instances of" ruble "will have been there for many years" and therefore any attempt to "change them all" to rouble, as has occurred in reality, are "disruptive".
 * I admit that I haven't addressed this point much either, but you are currently failing to highlight why we should avoid the current stable terminology of "Deutsche Mark" in order to embrace "deutschemark", and how it is suddenly not disruptive unlike the r(o)uble dispute. NotReallySoroka (talk) 00:32, 16 March 2023 (UTC)
 * This is getting ridiculous, you seem intent on enforcing a sort of "one [name] to rule them all" policy in which no variation of any kind at all is permissible, the very same thing you accuse TCG of. I am suggesting both are equally valid (they are as close to equal as makes no real difference in ngram results) and your attempt to force the entire site to adopt one or the other is unacceptable. I will also note that you attempted to move German ostrubel (the grammatically correct German compound) to "German ostruble" (fictitious Deutschlish) because of your personal preferences. You appear to have more similarities to TCG than you care to admit. This proposed move is a perennial suggestion that comes up every few years, but this appears to be the most egregious one because you set it up to fail so you could exploit "consensus" as a licence to make disruptive and unconstructive edits en masse. 89.240.245.172 (talk) 00:49, 16 March 2023 (UTC)
 * To break it down:
 * 1. "Consistency" is Wikipedia jargon for "one [name] to rule them all". Imagine seeing one page referring to a "Belarusian ruble", a second page referring to a "rouble", and a third page referring to a "rubel". That obviously wouldn't be very helpful for the average reader. The same applies to other currency names, such as the Deutsch(e )mark.
 * 2. If both nomenclatures are truly "equally valid" then the current nomenclature of "Deutsche Mark" should prevail per WP:TITLECHANGES, since there would then be no good reason to change the current title.
 * 3. Yes, I did propose the ostrubel move, but...
 * - It is in last November, so it is a less accurate of the editor that I am.
 * - I respected the RM's results and left most references to the "ostrubel" intact.
 * - It is not "my personal preferences" or a desire for "fictitious Deutschlish" that prompted the RM; instead, TCG did a bold move without prior consensus, so I was seeking to seek the consensus for them. It is like WP:BRD, but instead of reverting first, I discussed first.
 * 4. As I have stated above, anyone reverting mass disruption (like that which TCG had done) is by definition similar to TCG because both would have used mass edits. Since you are an NRS historian, you probably have heard of the admin, with whom I have been involved over TCG; do they "have more similarities to TCG than [they] care to admit" because they mass-reverted 's ban-evading edits?
 * 5. Many proposals based around TCG's ideas (e.g. using "mark" rather than "Finnish markka"; see Talk:Finnish markka) are indeed set up to fail because they shouldn't have been done in the first place due to the lack of consensus. Had enough people agreed with TCG, the markka RM (for instance) would have succeeded.
 * (Bonus: Your notion that I am using consensus (a Wikipedia policy) "as a licence to make disruptive and unconstructive edits en masse" should have been told to TCG, who has first started mass changes regarding the so-called "stg.", "Czech crown", and "rouble". If you still think that I am like TCG, let me tell you this: At least I sought consensus first, before I undertake my edits. TCG sought consensus never.) NotReallySoroka (talk) 06:04, 16 March 2023 (UTC)
 * Yes, I did propose the ostrubel move, but... stop it. Just stop it. Are you expecting us to read this? I won't. Don't discuss about the discussion. DePiep (talk) 08:05, 16 March 2023 (UTC)
 * so we let the disruption stand??? irrelevant. Just don't impose for an argument. IOW, speak for yourself. I still don't see what "disruption" you mean. (don't explain). Simply say: "I think x is the best name because Y?" The rest is confusion. DePiep (talk) 08:03, 16 March 2023 (UTC)
 * I doubt any user is going to be confused if they see both "Deutsche Mark" and "deutschmark" in different places. NRS seems to be being petty and aggressive seeking to impose his one and only rule everywhere. Will he remove every instance of the word "jam" and replace it with "preserve"? Because that is the end result of his current endeavour. This move request is an example of disruption because he is taking up valuable time and energy on an issue that objectively does not even need his "help". Innocent 1s and 0s died for this nonsense. 89.240.245.172 (talk) 12:17, 16 March 2023 (UTC)

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Talk:Deutsche Mark


text:
Wigan Warriors

Wigan Warriors are an English professional rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club competes in the Super League, the top tier of the British rugby league system, and has played its home games at the Brick Community Stadium since 1999. Wigan Warriors are the most successful club in the history of World Rugby League with 127 trophies in total.

Formed in 1872, the club is a founding member of the Northern Union, and has won 23 league titles, 21 Challenge Cups and five World Club Challenges. Wigan's most successful period was during the 1980s and 1990s, with the club winning seven consecutive league titles, and eight Challenge Cup finals in a row.

1872–1902: Formation and NRFU foundation
On 21 November 1872, Wigan Football Club was founded by members of Wigan Cricket Club following a meeting at the Royal Hotel, Standishgate. The meeting saw around 50 members enroll into the club most of whom were members of the cricket club. The following committee was selected: T.R. Ellis, H.V. Kyrke, J. Sayers, E.R. Walker, J. Smith, J. Souter, H. Wall and R. Procter. The recently re-elected Mayor of Wigan Mr Nathan Eckersley was made club President. Many of the club's founding members were well-to-do; some owned businesses or were solicitors, magistrates and suchlike. Wigan F.C. played on Folly Field, near Upper Dicconson Street and used the nearby Dicconson Arms Hotel as a HQ.

The first match took place on 30 November when members played against each other in a practice match at Folly Field the match attracted around 2,000 spectators. After a series of trial and practice matches, they travelled to Warrington to play their first competitive match on 18 January 1873. The game ended in a draw. The club played six games in its first season finishing with a record of three wins and three draws.

An inability to recruit enough regular and quality players led to many members of Upholland Football Club joining the club in 1876. This was a significant boost to the playing ranks. The club changed its name on 20 October 1876 and became Wigan & District Football Club to represent the new influx of players which had joined from the outskirts of town. The club moved and played its home games at the Wigan Cricket Club at Prescott Street just off Frog Lane. The first game at Prescott Street was played against St. Helens on 25 November 1876 which Wigan won comfortably. The club did not fulfil all its fixtures in the 1877/78 season. The club played its last match that season against Liverpool Wanderers on 17 November 1877. There are no current records of the club after 23 November 1877 that year as the club disbanded.

On 22 September 1879, the club was re-formed as Wigan Wasps Football Club by new members at a meeting in the Dicconson Arms. The main instigators of the re-formation of the club anew were W.L. Baldwin, J. Slevin, J. Underwood, Joe Wardle and others. Mr. Underwood was secretary and Mr. Alfred Hodgkinson was named as the treasurer. Many of the new members involved in the re-establishment of the club had also been involved with the Hare & Hounds running club and were of a more working-class background than the cricketers who had originally founded the club. The club moved back to Folly Field and used the Dicconson Arms Hotel as a HQ again before using the Legs of Man Hotel in the town centre as a HQ a few years later.

In 1881 the club reverted to its original name of Wigan Football Club. It had been suggested that the club should do so but this was finally decided when Club Secretary William Marsden wrote to Wigan Cricket Club to see if they would be forming another football club in the near future as they had done when originally creating Wigan. The cricketers weren't involved with the club anymore but Mr Marsden felt it would be courtesy to ask what their intentions were in relation to football. The secretary of the cricket club wrote back saying it was completely justified for Wigan Wasps to become Wigan Football Club again as the cricketers had no intention of forming another football club with that name or being involved with football at all and as such the club remained the only rugby football club in town at that time.

In 1883, Wigan won its first trophy, the Wigan Union Charity Cup. The club won the West Lancashire and Border Towns Union Cup in 1884 and the Wigan Union Charity Cup again in 1885. The club played in cherry and white jerseys for the first time on 26 September 1885. In 1888 they hosted the touring New Zealand Maoris.

During this era Wigan were represented by some iconic players. James 'Jim' Slevin, Ned Bullough, William 'Billy' Atkinson and John 'Jack' Anderton. Jim Slevin arguably being the most important player for Wigan during this era. He made a total of 290 appearances, scoring 131 tries and was involved in the club winning 8 trophies.

Wigan, Leigh and Salford were suspended by the RFU for breaking the strict amateur code despite their argument that broken-time payments were necessary to avoid undue hardship for their working class players. The clubs were placed joint bottom of the Lancashire league. With automatic promotion and relegation, they faced dropping down a division, and potential financial ruin. In 1895 Wigan joined with other clubs from Yorkshire and Lancashire to found the Northern Union which led eventually to the sport of rugby league. This was a result of the breakaway from the Rugby Football Union.

The County Championship was introduced in October 1895 with Cheshire entertaining Lancashire. The Red Rose side contained three players from Wigan: Winstanley (full back) and Unsworth and Brown (forwards).

In 1896–97, due to the increased number of Northern Union teams the Northern League was abandoned in favour of two County Senior leagues. The second half of the season saw the introduction of the Northern Union Cup (later known as the Rugby League Cup). Wigan reached the third round before being knocked out by St. Helens.

In 1904, fourteen clubs resigned from the two county leagues to form a new Northern Rugby League for season 1901–02. Wigan, however, remained in the Lancashire Senior Competition.

Wigan became sub-tenants of Springfield Park, which they shared with Wigan United AFC, playing their first game there on 14 September 1901. A crowd of 4,000 saw them beat Morecambe 12–0. During this season Wigan won the Lancashire Senior Competition.

Wigan's record crowd at Springfield was 10,000 when they beat Widnes on 19 March 1902. The last game was on 28 April 1902 when Wigan beat the Rest of Lancashire Senior Competition. Two meetings were held by Wigan members during the season to discuss the possibility of turning the club into a Limited Company but the idea did not take off.

1902–1945: Move to Central Park and Wartime Emergency League
On 6 September 1902, Wigan played at Central Park for the first time in the opening match of the newly formed First Division. An estimated crowd of 9,000 spectators saw Wigan beat Batley 14–8.

In the 1905–06 season they won their first cup, in rugby league, the Lancashire County Cup. Between 1906 and 1923 Wigan won the Lancashire League another seven times and the Lancashire Cup another four times. Wigan were the first winners of the Lancashire cup.

Wigan played New Zealand on 9 November 1907 and ran out winners by 12 points to 8 in front of a crowd of around 30,000. Great Britain, then known as the Northern Union, played their first-ever test against New Zealand on 25 January 1908. James "Jim" Leytham, Bert Jenkins and John "Johnny" Thomas of Wigan were in the home side and Leytham scored a try. Jenkins and Thomas had previously played in the first Welsh game against New Zealand on 1 January 1908.

On Saturday 28 October 1911, Wigan played a match against the Australasian team which visited England on the 1911–12 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and won.

On 12 May 1921, Wigan became a limited company.

In June 1922 Jim Sullivan joined Wigan from Cardiff RFC when he was only 17. His cash value was put at £750, which was a staggering signing-on fee for an adolescent who had not yet played 13-a-side rugby (based on increases in average earnings, this would be approximately £137,700 in 2015). His first game was at home against Widnes on 27 August 1921, and he scored ten points in a 21–0 win. Almost inevitably, Jim Sullivan scored the first points in the first Challenge Cup Final to be played at Wembley Stadium, kicking a penalty after only three minutes of the inaugural Challenge Cup Final against Dewsbury in 1929 in which he led Wigan to a 13–2 victory. Sullivan became player-coach in 1932.

Wigan won their first Challenge Cup in the 1923–24 season when they beat Oldham 21–4 in Rochdale.

In 1933 the Prince of Wales attended Central Park, becoming the first royal to watch a rugby league match.

On 25 October 1938 Australian Harry Sunderland arrived in Wigan to take up the duties of Secretary-Manager at Central Park. On 28 September the following year, Sunderland's contract was terminated and he and the club parted company.

The outbreak of World War II disrupted the Rugby Football League Championship but Wigan continued to play in the Lancashire War League and the Emergency War League.

During the war years the club went through the 1940–41 season unbeaten although they lost the Championship final. They lost the 1944 Challenge Cup Final over two games to Bradford Northern 8–3 but made up for it beating Dewsbury in the Championship Final.

1945–1980: Post war era
Jim Sullivan's last game, as a player, for Wigan was at Mount Pleasant, Batley, on 23 February 1946. He remained at Central Park for another six seasons as coach.

In 1948 Wigan took part in the first televised rugby league match when their 8–3 Challenge Cup Final victory over Bradford Northern was broadcast to the Midlands. In another first this was the first rugby league match to be attended by the reigning monarch, King George VI, who presented the trophy.

On Saturday 27 October 1951, 33,230 spectators saw Wigan beat Leigh 14–6 in the final of the Lancashire Cup at Station Road, Swinton. In 1952 Wigan won their sixth consecutive Lancashire Cup.

Wigan were also featured in the first league match to be broadcast, a clash with Wakefield Trinity at Central Park on 12 January 1952.

In 1953 Wigan signed Billy Boston for £150. 8,000 fans saw Billy Boston début for Wigan in the 'A' team. He later became one of the most successful and famous Wigan players of all time. Eric Ashton signed for Wigan for £150 in 1955. Wigan went to Wembley six times in the Boston / Ashton era and won three times.

The visit of St. Helens on 27 March 1959 produced Central Park's all-time record attendance of 47,747 which is still a record for any rugby league game in Lancashire. Wigan went on to win the game 19–14 after holding off a Saints comeback. Mick Sullivan moved to Wigan for a then record £9,500 fee in 1957.

Joe Egan returned to coach Wigan and during his time they won the Championship play-off final in 1960 defeating Wakefield Trinity 21–5, the Challenge Cup in 1958, 1959, 13–9 against Workington Town and 30–13 against Hull F.C. respectively before losing in 12–6 to St. Helens in 1961 which was to be his last game in charge.

Wigan continued to have regular success in both league and cup competitions until 1974 when Wigan went eight seasons without winning any leagues or cups.

Eric Ashton coached Wigan from 1963 to 1973. In 1966, Wigan locked television cameras out of their ground in the belief that they affected attendances. They were fined £500 by the Rugby Football League. Wigan beat Oldham 16–13 in the 1966 Lancashire Cup Final. Billy Boston played his last match in the cherry and white, against Wakefield Trinity at the end of April 1968.

Wigan celebrated the centenary year of the club in November 1972, with a match against Australia at Central Park, on Saturday 17 November, the result finished as an 18–18 draw.

Wigan pulled off a surprise victory 19–9 over Salford in the Lancashire Cup Final which was played at Wilderspool, Warrington on Saturday 13 October 1973. Cup holders Salford had lost only one match prior to the final, against the touring Australians.

Ted Toohey became coach of Wigan in May 1974 before being sacked in January 1975, this would set the pattern of coaches lasting one or two seasons before being replaced. Star coach, Joe Coan then took control until he resigned in September 1976, the board accepted his decision "with reluctance". Vince Karalius then took over but was sacked in September 1979, he was replaced by Kel Coslett.

1980–1996: Relegation, subsequent promotion, and most successful period
In 1980, Wigan were relegated from the top flight for the first time in their history and Coslett was replaced by George Fairbairn as player-coach. During the second division season they recorded a record average attendance for the division of 8,198. Wigan won promotion back to the top flight the following season but Fairbairn lasted no longer than May 1981 before moving to Hull Kingston Rovers. Maurice Bamford took over as coach of Wigan before being sacked in May 1982 and was replaced by Alex Murphy.

Maurice Lindsay came to Wigan in the early 1980s to join directors Jack Robinson, Tom Rathbone and ex-player Jack Hilton. Wigan became one of the first teams to go full-time professional in the league, this led to an upsurge in the fortunes of the club.

Between February and October 1987, under new coach, former New Zealand coach Graham Lowe, Wigan won a record 29 games in a row as follows: 20 Division One matches, 3 Premiership Trophy matches, 4 Lancashire Cup matches, 1 Charity Shield final, 1 World Club Challenge Final. Wigan defeated Australian club Manly-Warringah 8–2 in front of a crowd of 36,895 at Central Park for an unofficial World Club Championship (though many who were at Central Park still claim the attendance was closer to 50,000). It was the first time an English club side had beaten a team of Australians at rugby league since the 1978 Kangaroo tour. After Lowe left in 1989, Australian John Monie, a former premiership winning coach with the Parramatta Eels, continued the success at Central Park. From 1988 to 1995 Wigan won the Challenge Cup 8 seasons in a row including their 27–0 win over St Helens in 1989, the first time any team had been held scoreless in a Cup Final at Wembley; this period was Wigan's most successful period to date. They also won the Championship seven times, League Cup four times, Premiership Trophy three times, Charity Shield twice and three World Club Championships.

In February 1990, Wigan announced a record £280,000 profit but by 1993 this had become a loss of £300,000 on a turnover of £3 million, in no small way to the cost of the Whitbread Stand that had been built at the clubhouse end of Central Park in 1991–92 at an estimated cost of £1.3 million. By March 1994 Wigan's wage bill topped £2 million a year.

John Dorahy became coach for the 1993 season. Despite supervising Wigan through to the Challenge Cup and the Rugby Football League Championship, Dorahy was dismissed in May 1994, only days after the club's return from Wembley. In a statement by the club, Dorahy was said to have been sacked for "gross misconduct". Graeme West was appointed as coach, after fans petitioned for him to get the job.

In his first month as coach, at the end of the 1993–94 Rugby Football League season West secured the First Division Premiership Trophy against Castleford, and then traveled with the team to Brisbane, guiding them in their 1994 World Club Challenge victory over Australian premiers, the Brisbane Broncos in front of a WCC record attendance of 54,220. At the end of his first full season, he and the team won the League Championship, Challenge Cup, Regal Trophy, and Premiership—the 'Grand Slam' of all 4 trophies. Even though Wigan dominated rugby league from 1985 to 1995, it was the only season the club achieved this feat.

1996–present: Summer era rugby
Wigan played in a special 2 match challenge series against Bath RFC in 1996, with one game played under league rules, and the other under union rules. Wigan won the league game 82–6 at Maine Road, but lost the return union game 44–19 at Twickenham.

In July 1996 Andy Farrell was named the Wigan club's captain.

Eric Hughes became coach of Wigan Warriors, replacing Graeme West in February 1997 following an early exit from the Challenge Cup in 2 consecutive years. In 1997 the club was renamed as the Wigan Warriors. Wigan's dominance came under threat with the new league now fully professional and the introduction of the salary cap and the 20/20 rule. After going out of the Challenge Cup to Salford in 1996 and St Helens in 1997, they returned to Wembley for the final time in 1998. Still undefeated in the league and the fact coach John Monie—in his second spell at Wigan—had never lost a cup tie meant Wigan were huge favourites against the unfancied Sheffield Eagles. But on 2 May 1998 the Eagles would go down in rugby league history causing the biggest upset in the competition's history with a 17–8 win.

Wigan won the Minor Premiership and the first Super League Grand Final in 1998 with a 10–4 victory over Leeds at Old Trafford, Manchester.

In November 1999, coach Andy Goodway was sacked by Wigan chairman Maurice Lindsay after the Warriors' failure to win a trophy for the first time in 15 years. After a buy-out by Dave Whelan, both the Warriors and the town's football team, Wigan Athletic, moved to the JJB Stadium. As part of the rugby league's "on the road" scheme Wigan met Gateshead Thunder at Tynecastle, Edinburgh. Maurice Lindsay also returned as director. On an emotional day of high drama Wigan's final game at Central Park was against arch rivals St Helens on Sunday 5 September 1999. Wigan legend Ellery Hanley returned as St Helens coach but a Jason Robinson virtuoso try meant the game was won by Wigan 28–20. The first game at the new stadium was a defeat in a Super League play-off match against Castleford on 19 September 1999.

Frank Endacott joined Wigan as head coach after the 1999 season and in 2000 Wigan finished top of the Super League and reached the Grand Final for the second time but this time lost to St Helens 29–16. Wigan reached the Grand Final again the year after but lost to Bradford Bulls 37–4 which is still the biggest winning margin in a Super League Grand Final. That year Andy Farrell also set a new club record for points in a season with 429.

In 2001 Endacott was sacked. In 2002 Wigan won their 17th Challenge Cup when they beat St Helens 21–12 at Murrayfield Stadium, 8 years after previously lifting the cup.

He was replaced by assistant coach Mike Gregory and the team improved and reached the Grand Final only to lose to Bradford Bulls 25–12. In 2004 Gregory guided Wigan to the Challenge Cup final at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff but Wigan lost to St Helens 32–16. It was Mike Gregory's last match as head coach of Wigan, he travelled to the United States of America to get treatment for an illness that he contracted after an insect bite while in Australia. It was revealed that Mike had motor neurone disease and he did not return as Wigan coach. Denis Betts took over as Wigan Head Coach before being replaced by Ian Millward.

2006 was a tough year for Wigan and Ian Millward was replaced by Brian Noble early in the season. The club finished in 8th position just outside the play-offs.

In 2007 and 2009 Wigan made the Challenge Cup Semi-Finals but were defeated on both occasions.

Wigan ended the decade by finishing Suoer League in 6th position in 2007, 4th in 2008 and 6th in 2009.

2007, 2008 and 2009 saw Wigan reach the Final Eliminator in the play-offs in each of those seasons but were beaten in those games which meant they did not make the Grand Final.

Brian Noble's tenure as Wigan Head Coach came to an end at the close of the 2009 Super League Season. Michael Maguire was appointed as the new Head Coach ahead of the 2010 season.

Wigan started the new season with a 38 to 6 win over the Crusaders. Wigan won their opening 4 games to take them to the top of the Super League table. Wigan remained top of the league throughout the season.

During 2010 the Wigan club won 3 pieces of silverware. The Carnegie 9s, the League Leaders Shield and the Super League Grand Final. This was the club's first Grand Final win for twelve year beating St Helens 22–10.

The club also swept the boards at the annual Man of Steel Award, with Sam Tomkins winning young player of the year, Micharl Maguire won the coach of the year award, Pat Richards won the Man of Steel award and the club won the club of the year award. On 6 August 2011, Wigan made it to the Challenge Cup final after beating St. Helens 18–12.

On 27 August 2011, Wigan won the Challenge Cup final against Leeds at Wembley Stadium. The final score was Wigan 28–18 Leeds. The match was the first visit to Wembley for Wigan in 13 years.

Michael Maguire left to return to Australia and Shaun Wane, the former Wigan forward was given the role of first team coach for the 2012 season. Wigan won the League Leaders Shield in his first season. In 2013, Wigan did the League and Cup Double. Firstly by winning the Challenge Cup Final in beating Hull 16–0 at Wembley. This saw Wigan extend their record to 30 Challenge Cup Finals, winning 19 of them. Wane then guided the team to the Grand Final by defeating Warrington 30–16 in the Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford. After Grand Final losses to St Helens in 2014 and Leeds Rhinos in 2015, Wigan reached the Grand Final again in 2016 despite injury problems ruling out several star players throughout the season. Wigan defeated the Warrington Wolves 12–6 in a hard-fought rematch of their 2013 contest to win their fourth Super League championship.

Wigan became World Champions for a record fourth time in 2017 as they defeated NRL champions Cronulla Sharks 22–6. Wigan lost at Wembley to Hull FC extending the club's record to 31 Challenge Cup Final appearances.

2018 was a bright year for Wigan. The year began with a trip to Australia in week 2 to play Hull F.C. in the first-ever Super League game to be played outside of Europe. Wigan were victorious at St George-Illawarra Dragons WIN Stadium, defeating Hull FC 24–10.

The Super 8s stage of the season, Wigan won an unprecedented 7 out of 7 matches including revenge for the Good Friday defeat by soundly beating arch rivals St Helens 30–10 at the Totally Wicked Stadium. Wigan and Warrington contested the 2018 Grand Final which was the third time the clubs had met in the Grand Final in six seasons. Wigan prevailing 12–4 on the night. This was the club's fifth Grand Final win taking the overall total of League Championships the club has won to 22. In the 2019 Super League season, Wigan finished second on the table. They reached the semi-final stage of the competition but suffered a shock defeat against Salford 28–4 at the DW Stadium.

In the 2020 Super League season, Wigan won the League Leaders Shield and reached the 2020 Super League Grand Final against St Helens. In the final, Wigan and St Helens were tied at 4–4 with only ten seconds remaining in the match before St Helens player Jack Welsby scored a dramatic late try to win the match 8–4.

In the 2021 Super League season, Wigan endured a difficult campaign finishing in 4th place on the table. Throughout the year, the club suffered a five-game losing streak and were also kept scoreless at home by Leeds for the first time in the Super League era. Towards the end of the season, head coach Adrian Lam announced he would depart the club. In the elimination playoff against Leeds, Wigan were kept scoreless at home again losing 8–0 which also ended their season. On 28 May 2022, Wigan won the Challenge Cup for the 20th time defeating Huddersfield 16–14 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Wigan finished the 2022 Super League season in second place on the table and were favourites to reach the grand final. However, the club would suffer a shock 20–8 loss to Leeds in the semi-final which denied them a place in the decider. On 14 October 2023, Wigan won the 2023 Super League Grand Final defeating the Catalans Dragons in a low scoring affair. It was the clubs 23rd championship. On 24 February 2024, Wigan won the 2024 World Club Challenge final defeating Penrith 16-12. It was Wigan's fifth triumph in the competitions history.

Colours
The Wigan team first played in cherry and white jerseys on 19 September 1885 in a match against Bury. The club did not settle on the colours until 22 December 1888 when after this time there is no mention of Wigan deviating from these colours as the primary colours. It is known that the team did wear a variety of different-coloured jerseys at different times before 19 September 1885 and in-between that date and 22 December 1888. These included; black jerseys with white shorts and black socks, white jerseys and a chocolate-and-coral hooped jersey with black socks. The white Maltese cross was added to the club's jerseys for the start of the 1884–85 season but how long this remained as a feature on the jersey is unknown. The white jerseys were worn on several occasions during the 1885 season and were also worn at least once during 1887. The chocolate-and-coral hooped jerseys were worn during the 1886–1887 season with black socks; however, the colour of the shorts which were worn is unknown. It is also unknown how many times Wigan turned out in the chocolate-and-coral jersey that year. The colours cherry and white are the most synonymous with the club. The home kits have mostly consisted of the colours cherry and white since 1888 in different variations, usually hoops, but not always.

Club Crest
Wigan have used a variation of the coat of arms (which was granted to the Borough of Wigan on 8 April 1922) as the club crest for a large part of the club's history. The club first used the crest on the playing jerseys for the 1948 Challenge Cup Final against Bradford. The crest appeared on the jersey in other future cup finals but would not become a permanent feature on the playing jerseys until 1984.

Below are further details on the Club Crest:

Excerpts from an Article, by Mr. Arthur J. Hawkes, Chief Librarian.

Possessing a series of town seals from the twelfth century onwards, Wigan, at the opening of the twentieth century still remained without "ensigns proper to its order."

Wigan is one of the oldest boroughs in England (third oldest in Lancashire after Liverpool and Salford). Town liberties or borough rights existed in England in Anglo-Saxon times, several centuries before the Norman Conquest. Places like London, York, Winchester, Norwich, etc., are known from records to have exercised these privileges, and it may properly be inferred that Wigan also enjoyed them. Finally, we have the report of the Norry King of Arms in 1613 that "the towne and bourrough of Wiggin was antiently Incorporated by the most noble Kinge, Kinge Hen, the first in the first yeare of his raygne" (i.e., 1100)—a certified copy of which document is now in the Public Library. Under William the Conqueror, the borough privileges were restricted, but on the accession of Henry I they were largely restored by virtue of his great coronation charter of liberties. The liberties of individual towns were restored or confirmed by special charter, some of which are extant. If we can rely upon the report of the Herald in 1613, Wigan was one of the first boroughs to be so restored. Following this we have a long series of royal charters, mostly still extant, some containing special marks of royal favour, which charters will be detailed in the next number.

J. Paul Rylands describes the coat above as "perhaps the very best of all Lancashire town arms, for it might, heraldically, belong to the Middle Ages, and is indeed symbolic of antiquity and loyalty." It is certainly a very privileged coat of arms, as few if any coats bear so many symbols of royal favour. Indeed, the incorporation of royal insignia into armorial bearings is jealously guarded and usually proscribed by the court officials. In Wigan's new grant there are (1) A King's Head, crowned, (2) the Royal "Leopard" (or "lion couchant guardant"), (3) a Mediaeval royal crown, and (4) the Supporting Lions. The King's head in the crest officially represents no particular king, in the words of the Rouge Croix herald (in whose hands the design took shape) it is intended "to be a conventional likeness to an early English Monarch." It is actually modelled on the portrait of King Edward III, but from the point of view of the town it symbolises especially King Henry I. On Wigan's earliest town seal—probably the twelfth century—there appears to be a towered or castellated gateway over the centre of which is depicted what seems to be the crowned head of Henry I. These devices therefore, are taken as the chief symbols of the new bearings, the towered gateway becomes a Norman castle and the King's head becomes a crest—indicating Wigan as a town of consequence and royal patronage at the opening of the twelfth century. The royal lion, again, marks another important period in Wigan history. Edward III, by a charter of 1350, granted Wigan the right (with several other towns) to use a royal seal known as the "King's Recognisance Seal," on which was figured the King's head and the royal lion. The Somerset Herald expressed the opinion that as none of the other towns had made use of the King's permission by adopting the figures in their arms, Wigan could with propriety include them, and his view prevailed with the Chapter of Heralds.

Supporters are nowadays usually granted only to the great cities, but Wigan's ancient importance has been thereby recognised, the lions giving the distinction to a highly dignified and privileged coat of arms. There is a final feature of unusual interest. The branches of the mountain ash held in the lion's paws add something to the conventional "mantling" or flowered scrolls which usually ornament armorial bearings. The design of the floriation is usually a matter for the artist and without heraldic significance. But in the case of Wigan's arms, the mountain ash, known in the northern dialects as the Wiggin or Wigan Tree, forms a "rebus" or pun on the name of the town, and has the advantage of giving further symbolism to an already significant coat. The rebus has tradition behind it, for the Wiggin Tree is a conspicuous feature of several of the town's mediaeval seals.

The motto adopted "Ancient and Loyal" is in keeping with the arms. For a great many years Wigan has on all occasions, official and unofficial, invariably referred to itself as the "Ancient and Loyal Borough," but few are aware that authority for its use can be found in the Charter of Charles II. The governing charter of the town down to the Municipal Corporations Act of 1835. In that Charter Wigan is designated by the King "an ancient borough" and granted a "special token of our favour for its loyalty to us," so that nothing could be more fitting than its adoption as the town's motto.

On 1 November 2020, the club changed its crest to a new design. The club drew inspiration for the Warrior design element of the badge from the Brigantes who were Celtic Britons and controlled a large part of Northern England, including Wigan, in pre-Roman times. The name Brigantes became synonymous with the most fervent elements of the club's support base dating back to the early 2010s.

The Shield element of the new logo is taken from the original club crest as is the Ancient & Loyal motto with the circular shape of the badge emulating the shape of the Northern Soul logo. Wigan had a vibrant Northern Soul scene back in the 1960s when the Northern Soul music and dance movement first emerged. The background features the club's famous Cherry and White hoops which interestingly is incorporated into the club crest for the first time. The date of the club's foundation is also included on the club badge for the first time.

Current kit
The current kit and teamwear as of the 2024 season will be manufacturer by Kappa, following the end of contract with Hummel who manufactured the kits and teamwear from 2020 until the end of the 2023 season. The main shirt sponsor is Open Exchange and their logo appears on the front of the home and away jerseys.

Teams
As well as the men's team the club for 2024 also encompasses 11 other teams:
 * Reserves
 * Academy (under 18s)
 * Scholarship (under 16s)
 * College development squad (men and women aged 16–18)
 * Women's first
 * Women's academy (under 19s)
 * Physical disability
 * Learning disability
 * Wheelchair
 * Wheelchair A (wheelchair reserve team)
 * Touch Rugby

Pre–1902
Wigan Football Club played on Folly Field, Upper Dicconson Street. The club played its first match at Folly Field on 30 November 1872 and remained at the ground for four years. Wigan Football Club went on to become Wigan & District Football Club, the newly named Wigan & District Football Club played its matches at Prescott Street (The West End Grounds). The club played at Prescott Street until the club disbanded. With the re-formation of the club as Wigan Wasps Football Club, the club returned to Folly Field from 1879 to 1886 when it moved its matches back to Prescott Street.

Wigan played their home games at Wigan Cricket Club on Prescott Street until 1901 when they moved to Springfield Park which they shared with the town's association soccer club Wigan United A.F.C. The first rugby match at Springfield Park was played on 14 September 1901 and was between Wigan and Morecambe in front of 4,000 spectators. The record rugby attendance for the ground was 10,000 achieved on 19 March 1902 when Wigan beat Widnes. Forty days later Wigan played their last game at Springfield Park when they defeated the Rest of Lancashire Senior Competition.

1902–1999: Central Park
In 1902 Wigan moved to their purpose-built rugby ground called Central Park. Wigan played their first game at Central Park against Batley on 6 September 1902, which Wigan won 14–8. The area was originally farm land called Central Field, with a row of houses already built along both north and south ends of the land (Hilton St and Colin St). By the end of the 1990s, the area had begun to suffer from its location next to the River Douglas as well as disused coal mines directly underneath, resulting in occasional drainage problems which affected the pitch.

Central Park would be the home of Wigan Rugby League until 1999, when they moved to the newly built JJB Stadium. The last match at Central Park was against St Helens on 5 September 1999, a game which Wigan won 28–20 in front of 18,179 supporters. As Wigan developed into one of the most famous rugby league clubs in the world, Central Park also became one of the most famous grounds.

Wigan won the 1987 World Club Challenge match against 1987 Sydney (New South Wales Rugby League) Premiers Manly-Warringah at Central Park played on 7 October. The try-less game, won 8–2, was played in front of a reported crowd of 36,895, though many of those in attendance believed the attendance was actually closer to 50,000.

The record attendance for a game at Central Park was 47,747 set on 27 March 1959 against St Helens.

1999–present: The Brick Community Stadium
Towards the end of the 2000 season the Wigan Warriors moved to the newly built DW Stadium which they currently share with the Wigan football club Wigan Athletic. The stadium is owned Mike Danson, who is shareholder, owning 25% of the club. Warriors first game at the then JJB Stadium was a Super League play-off match against the Castleford Tigers which Wigan lost 14–10.

Wigan used to have a state-of-the-art training facility at the small stadium Edge Hall Road in Orrell (now named the Co-Operative Community Stadium) where the first team, reserve team & academy team prepared, trained and rehabilitated ahead of and after matches. It is also where the Reserve & Academy sides used to play their home games.

Recently this site has been sold for development after the Warriors moved all team operations to the newly renovated Robin Park Arena next door to the DW Stadium in a deal with Wigan Council. A multi-million-pound regeneration has turned this into one of the best training facilities inside of rugby league, whilst also maintaining world class facilities for other local sporting clubs and the general public to use also.

DW Stadium has an official capacity of 25,133. The Warriors record attendance at DW is 25,004 set against St Helens on 25 March 2005.

Robin Park Arena
Wigan’s training ground is the Robin Park Arena, situated next door to the DW Stadium.

Current coaching staff
Matt Peet is the current head coach, with former Wigan players Sean O'Loughlin, and Tommy Leuluai as his assistant coaches.

Coaching history
Note *only Championship, Challenge Cup and World Club Challenge honours shown.

League

 * First Division / Super League:
 * Winners (23): 1908–09, 1921–22, 1925–26, 1933–34, 1945–46, 1946–47, 1949–50, 1951–52, 1959–60, 1986–87, 1989–90, 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96, 1998, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2018, 2023
 * Runners up (17): 1909–10, 1910–11, 1911–12, 1912–13, 1923–24, 1963–64, 1970–71, 1974–75, 1985–86, 1988–89, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2014, 2015, 2020
 * League Leaders' Shield:
 * Winners (4): 2010, 2012, 2020, 2023
 * League Leader's Trophy:
 * Winners (1): 1970-71
 * Premiership
 * Winners (6): 1986–87, 1991–92, 1993–94, 1994–95, 1996, 1997.
 * Runners-Up (1): 1992–93
 * War Emergency League
 * Winners (1): 1943–44.

 * Second Division / Championship:
 * Runners up (1): 1980-81

 * Lancashire League
 * Winners (18): 1901–02, 1908–09, 1910–11, 1911–12, 1912–13, 1913–14, 1914–15, 1920–21, 1922–23, 1923–24, 1925–26, 1945–46, 1946–47, 1949–50, 1951–52, 1958–59, 1961–62, 1969–70.
 * Lancashire War League
 * Winners (1): 1940–41.

Domestic Cup(s)

 * Challenge Cup
 * Winners (21): 1923–24, 1928–29, 1947–48, 1950–51, 1957–58, 1958–59, 1964–65, 1984–85, 1987–88, 1988–89, 1989–90, 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95, 2002, 2011, 2013, 2022, 2024
 * Runners-Up (12): 1910–11, 1919–20, 1943–44, 1945–46, 1960–61, 1962–63, 1965–66, 1969–70, 1983–84, 1998, 2004, 2017.

 * Lancashire Cup
 * Winners (21): 1905–06, 1908–09, 1909–10, 1912–13, 1922–23, 1928–29, 1938–39, 1946–47, 1947–48, 1948–49, 1949–50, 1950–51, 1951–52, 1966–67, 1971–72, 1973–74, 1985–86, 1986–87, 1987–88, 1988–89, 1992–93.
 * Runners-Up (14): 1913–14, 1914–15, 1925–26, 1927–28, 1930–31, 1934–35, 1935–36, 1936–37, 1945–46, 1953–54, 1957–58, 1977–78, 1980–81, 1984–85.

 * League Cup
 * Winners (8): 1982–83, 1985–86, 1986–87, 1988–89, 1989–90, 1992–93, 1994–95, 1995–96.
 * Runners-Up (1): 1993–94.

 * Charity Shield
 * Winners (4): 1985–86, 1987–88, 1991–92, 1995–96.
 * Runners-Up (4): 1988–89, 1989–90, 1990–91, 1992–93.

 * BBC2 Floodlit Trophy
 * Winners (1): 1968–69.
 * Runners-Up (1): 1969–70.

International Cup(s)

 * World Club Challenge
 * Winners (5): 1987, 1991, 1994, 2017, 2024
 * Runners-Up (4): 1992, 2011, 2014, 2019.

Short Form Cups

 * World 7s
 * Winners (1): 1991–92.

 * Middlesex 7s
 * Winners (1): 1996

 * Carnegie Floodlit 9s
 * Winners (1): 2010.

Pre-Northern Union

 * Wigan Charity Cup
 * Winners (6): 1883, 1885, 1888, 1889, 1890, 1891
 * Runners-Up (1): 1886

 * West Lancashire and Border Towns Cup
 * Winners (2): 1889, 1890
 * Runners-Up (1): 1887

Team

 * BBC Sports Team of the Year: 1994.

Individual

 * Most goals in a match: 22 by Jim Sullivan vs Flimby & Fothergill, 14 February 1925
 * Most tries in a match: 10 by:
 * Martin Offiah vs Leeds, 10 May 1992
 * Shaun Edwards vs Swinton, 29 September 1992
 * Most points in a match: 44 by Jim Sullivan vs Flimby & Fothergill, 14 February 1925
 * Most goals in a season: 186 by Frano Botica, 1994–95
 * Most tries in a season: 63 by Ellery Hanley, 1986–87
 * Most tries in a Super League regular season: 31 by Josh Charnley and Bevan French, 2012 and 2022
 * Most points in a season: 462 by Pat Richards 2010
 * Most career goals: 2,317 by Jim Sullivan
 * Most career tries: 478 by Billy Boston
 * Most career points: 4,883 by Jim Sullivan
 * Most career appearances: 774 by Jim Sullivan
 * Most International Test caps: 36 by Shaun Edwards (Great Britain)
 * Most decorated player: Shaun Edwards; 8 Championships, 9 Challenge Cups, 3 World Club Challenges.

Team

 * Biggest victory (All Time): 116–0 vs Flimby & Fothergill, 14 February 1925
 * Biggest victory (Super League Era): 84–6 vs Hull Kingston Rovers, 1 April 2013 & 84–6 vs Bradford Bulls, 21 April 2014.
 * Highest attendance (Central Park): 47,747 vs St. Helens, 27 March 1959
 * Highest attendance (DW Stadium): 25,004 (Good Friday 2005 vs St Helens)
 * Highest attendance (all-time): 99,801 vs Hull F.C., 4 May 1985 (1985 Challenge Cup Final) at Wembley Stadium
 * Highest attendance vs an international touring team: 30,622 vs Australia, 12 October 1986 (1986 Kangaroo Tour)
 * Heaviest Defeat (Super League): 0–70 vs Leeds Rhinos, 18 June 2005
 * Heaviest Defeat (Challenge Cup): 0–75 vs St Helens, 26 June 2005

Supporters
Wigan is one of the most well supported British rugby league clubs. During the 2006 season, in which the team was struggling to avoid relegation, the attendances were increasing as fans came to support the club and offer vocal support, many of whom may have not attended on a regular basis previously.

The club averaged 16,016 per home game in 2007. In 2010 Wigan were officially the best-supported club in Super League with a higher average attendance than nearest rivals Leeds Rhinos. The club have now been confirmed as the best-supported club for the last three seasons of 2010, 2011 and 2012.

As a gesture of thanks, the 2008 season saw the Wigan fans have the squad number 18 dedicated to them, a practice which has since continued each season. Joe Lydon commented "This is a new practice for clubs who recognise the extra special support which loyal fans can provide to their team in both good and bad times. It is particularly apt for Wigan fans".

From early 2008, the Wigan fans have often chanted to the tune of The Entertainer. One of the beginning lines of this particular chant is "We're the Greatest Club in the World".

The fans have their own supporters club, The Riversiders, who meet monthly and often have special guests at the meetings including past and present players, coaching staff and members of the Rugby Football League.

In 2010 some supporters set up a group to improve the atmosphere at both home and away games, known as the Wigan Brigantes, Brigantes being the name of the tribe that inhabited this and other large parts of northern England before and during the Roman era. The group started by erecting flags across the South Stand gantry at the DW Stadium, beginning with 12 at the start of the 2010 season and grew steadily from there. The group's banner had the phrase "Long After Tonight Is All Over" as a nod to the Jimmy Radcliffe song that was a staple of the Wigan Casino club during the Northern Soul era, and to show their rivals that their support would continue well after the final whistle had sounded. This was particularly true of some of Wigan's away games during the 2011 season where their fans often stayed well over half an hour after the final hooter singing to the tune of "Dale Cavese".

There is also a regular fans' forum meeting with chairman Ian Lenagan and the current head coach to discuss the latest issues concerning the club and the work that is being done behind the scenes. So far every meeting has been a sell out.

Wigan's fans and Wigan people in general are known as 'pie eaters' or 'pies' which is reference to the 1926 General Strike, when Wigan miners were forced to eat 'humble pie' and return to work before miners in other towns, even though they had been on strike before the other towns joined in. Since then the word 'pie' has come to mean the pastry rather than the metaphor 'Humble Pie'.

St Helens

The club's strongest and fiercest rivalry is with St Helens. Matches, between the two teams are played traditionally on Good Friday and in previous seasons on Boxing Day. The clubs are often described as archenemies such is the history of the rivalry. The matches between the two clubs are said to have bragging rights at stake and banter between the fans of both clubs is commonplace. The rivalry is so fierce that matches between the two teams are one of only two sporting events to officially be given the title of The Derby.

Leigh Leopards
The Leigh Leopards are traditional rivals of the club due to both being located within the Borough of Wigan. Matches between the two clubs are, therefore, local derbies.

The rivalry between these two clubs, however, has been muted due to the fact that the two clubs have regularly competed in different competitions and, therefore, have not played each other consistently (during the Super League era, Wigan and Leigh have only been together in Super League for five seasons, in 2005, 2017, 2021, 2023 & 2024).

The 2023 season saw heightened attention being given toward the rivalry as both clubs enjoyed successful seasons, the branding of the rivalry as ‘The Battle of The Borough’ gained notoriety because of this.

Warrington Wolves

The club has forged a more recent fierce rivalry with the Warrington Wolves following a resurgence in the club's success and Warrington's emergence as one of the most competitive teams in the Super League.

Leeds Rhinos
A more notable rivalry is one with the Leeds Rhinos because when the 2 teams meet there is usually something at stake as the two teams are labelled as super league giants and have met 11 times in Super League playoffs, Wigan edging that head-to-head record 6–5; plus both teams have played each other in Challenge Cup finals, semifinals & quarterfinals and it is always fiercely competitive when they meet. Leeds and Wigan dominated Super League from the late 2000s and through the 2010s, with either Leeds or Wigan winning Super League every year, aside from 2014, between 2007 and 2018 (strangely enough during this period, Wigan and Leeds have only met in the Grand Final once, in 2015).

In the community
Wigan confirmed via the official website that they had been granted charitable status on Wednesday 29 April 2009 via the "charitable arm" of the club the Wigan Warriors Community Foundation. Wigan Warriors carry out extensive community work that stretches from Amateur Rugby League Football clubs to Schools as well as running highly successful community training camps for young people. A part of the community work is visiting primary schools to deliver a programme specifically designed for young people entitled 'Lessons for Life'. The programme is delivered via a geographic family of schools approach and results in each school receiving two hours of Rugby League coaching per week for a six-week period. Additionally every school is offered the opportunity to start an extra curricular club and take part in a "Warriors Tag Festival". The club will now be able to deliver an even more extensive community programme via the Wigan Warriors Community Foundation.

Wigan became the first club in the country to receive Sport England's Clubmark Gold Award. The Gold award, only available from 1 April 2009, shows the clubs commitment to Duty of Care and Child Protection, Coaching and Competition, Sports Equity and Ethics and Club Management. The Gold award not only meets the minimum standards in all areas, but surpasses them and meets additional criteria too.

Combined with education provider ProCo, Wigan have established a work based learning academy in the town to provide opportunities to young people whilst also providing a permanent base for its scholarship and academy squads. The Work Academy has been given the name "Central Park" in reference to Wigan's former home and also makes reference to the education provider.

title: Wigan Warriors


text: Category:Mills County, Texas

title: Category:Mills County, Texas