Just curious about this game and can only find snippets of information on the web. I would like to know:-

a) Did anyone go who posts on here?
b) Did it generate much interest locally in the US?
c) What was the attendance and were there many Wire/Wigan fans there?
d) Was it just a friendly or a league game taken overseas?
e) Was it televised?
f) Why was Milwaukee chosen?
g) Any chances of a repeat (of kind)?


Just pure curiosity.

It was just a friendly (although nobody mentioned that to sir les) and around 17-18000 people was the attendance. There was talk of further games but both teams made a large financial loss out of the project so it was shelved. And no, i didn't go.

IIRC there was a thread on here last year about it, prompted by someone selling the programme on ebay. Was a friendly and shown on BBC1, dont know if it was full game or extended highlights. My former neighbour Paul Williamson played for Wires that day.

Well Russell Crowe wants to take the WCC to Vegas if Souths win the NRL GF; and with Moran's favourite NRL team being the Rabbits, maybe it will go over there if we win the SL GF and he'll put on free flights?
Seriously though I'd love to go a WCC with Wire in Aus or Vegas! Just don't think the idea will work at all in Yankyland!

It works in a way. Look at Jacksonville they get bigger gates than Leigh.

It was a friendly, althoughat at a scrum, Boyde (I think), Hanley, Mike and Andy Greg all fighting, sin bins ect made it far from friendly!

Was a pretty pour game though, very low scoring, one try I seem to remember, to Wigan, who won as well, but the pitch was very narrow!

The yanks couldn't believe how the players basically did what they did in American Footy, but without all the pads, helmets etc!

Boyd smashed Hanley into oblivion.

Can't answer all the questions and unfortunately I couldn't make the game, buy a new house or go and watch the wire in the USA, common sense prevailed in the end.

Anyway I remember the BBC did televise it a few days later and put a fairly good presentation from the US. A programme was available and videos were sold by Warrington of the build up to the game and the game itself. Got mine some where in the old video vault.

Why was it in Milwakee? I think the promoter had links up there possibly with the green bay packers.

In 89 games between wigan and wire were quite ferocious and I'm sure the reputation of certain players led to a planned fiery start i.e. Boydy disliking of Ellery.

The pitch itself didn't help, being narrower and shorter than a regular pitch.

For the players and fans I'm sure it would have been a good trip but don't think the event did much for RL.

Any repeat, well I believe Leeds have been over for Pre season training and friendlies to Florida. If two clubs were prepared to do similar, something could happen but not evryone wants to use their holidays in the middle of winter, albeit in the Florida sun.

I know you can't post links but I think research tips are OK.

If you go to YouTube and type, off the top of my head of course, "John Holdsworth lays down the law", you might get a minute or two of the match.

Two excellent kits - if I remember rightly.
And for younger readers, a pretty good indication of the rivalry between the two clubs can be gained.

If the research tip was really lucky, you could even get a bonus of highlights of the infamous World War 3 clash on New Year's Day on 1988 and the unforgettable Cullen / Goodway incident.

This is why the Wigan game will always be the highlight of the season for those of us of a certain vintage.

Good luck with the research!

I went to Milwaukee in 1989, lots of promotions, was some locals there.
The match was very dour due to the size of the pitch, only found out after
wards that the match could have been postponed due to size of the pitch.

Milwaukee was a great place to go.

Will never forget Les Boyd hitting Hanley, and Mike Gregory being voted most
valuable player.

Excellent....I've watched it loads of times and still cant see why Adrian Shelford got sent off....it was a shocking decision

Boyd and Gregory started it, Shelford puts an arm on Boyd trying to peel him away, Tony humphries grabs hold of shelford they wrestle on the edge of the fight humphries lands the nut on shelford then Dessie holds Shelford in a bit of a headlock until it all calms down.

I cant see him do anything remotely wrong apart from wearing a wigan kit

Is that not enough?