NEW BOYS DEBUT FOR WOLVES (From Warrington Guardian)

NEW BOYS DEBUT FOR WOLVES

ALAN Hunte will be the star attraction as he lines up for a strong Warrington Wolves side against his former club at Wilderspool tonight, Friday.

Also to make their debuts against St. Helens are Simon Gillies, ex-Saint Dean Busby while Scott Wilson will start for the first time.

It will be a fascinating night for Wolves fans as they take a look at how Warrington's 1999 squad is coming together.

A special turnstile rate has been set to encourage supporters to come along to the game and those who wish to purchase new season tickets still have time to cash in on a special offer too!

Coach Darryl Van de Velde has strengthened in most departments with Australians Gillies and Wilson, back row and stand-off respectively, expected to make a huge impact on the British game after signing from Canterbury Bulldogs.

All the Warrington players are bubbling and can not wait to be back on the field of play again. And Saints, with new boss Ellery Hanley, will provide a stern test as the Wolves look to shake off their rust and put new patterns into operation.

Captain Danny Farrar said: "There is no such thing as a friendly and this will certainly be a tough game. And I am looking forward to facing up to my former Penrith Panthers teammate Phil Adamson who has joined Saints."

Flying winger Mark Forster, going into his 19th year with the club, said: "I can't wait for the season to begin as this is the best squad of players we have had for a long time."

Van de Velde said his squad has worked tremendously hard during the close-season.

He added: "They're ready to play and we're going into the game very positively. This is a trial game. The players are on trial for their positions and those who are starting are rewarded for their close-season work."

Steve McCurrie and Dean Hanger will not figure in the game as they are in rehabilitation after training injuries while Gary Chambers damaged his hand playing for the Under 21s last Sunday.

Wolves: Lee Penny; Jason Roach, Toa Kohe-Love, Alan Hunte, Mark Forster, Scott Wilson, Lee Briers; Mark Hilton, Danny Farrar, Danny Nutley, Simon Gillies, Ian Knott, Mike Wainwright. Subs: Jon Roper, Chris Rudd, Warren Stevens, Dean Busby.

Saints: Paul Atcheson; Steve Hall, Paul Wellens, Paul Newlove, Chris Smith; Tommy Martyn/ Jason Johnson, Sean Long, Scott Barrow; Vila Matautia, Keiron Cunningham, Julian O'Neill, Chris Joynt, Sonny Nickle, Paul Sculthorpe. Subs: Phil Adamson, Paul Davidson, Andy Leathem.

Turnstile prices for tonight's game are - stand, £10 adults, £5 juniors; terraces, £6 adults, £3 juniors.

Fans can join Warrington's Supporters' Club after the game tonight. See story on page 73.

This week it is the last chance for supporters to cash in on Wolves season ticket deals.

Adults, pensioners and students who purchase a Wolves season ticket before the end of Saturday, February 6, will receive a £10 voucher to spend in the club's merchandise shop.

For those supporters looking to renew their Brian Bevan stand season ticket they only have until the close of business tomorrow, Saturday, to claim their reserved seat. Those seats not claimed will go on general sale on Monday.

Season ticket prices - in the stand, £156 adult, £84 for pensioners and full-time students; on the terraces, £108 adult, £60 pensioner or full-time student. Wolf pack membership for under 16s, including a ground season ticket, is £15. Family season ticket in the Brian Bevan stand is £240 for two adults and £15 per child. Vice-president's season tickets are £264.

Warrington will learn of their first opponents in the Silk Cut Challenge Cup on Monday. The draw will be at 5.15pm on BBC Radio 5 LIVE.

Wolves' squad numbers for 1999 - 1. Lee Penny, 2. Jason Roach, 3. Jon Roper, 4. Toa Kohe-Love, 5. Mark Forster, 6. Scott Wilson, 7. Lee Briers, 8. Mark Hilton, 9. Danny Farrar, 10. Danny Nutley, 11. Simon Gillies, 12. Steve McCurrie, 13. Ian Knott, 14. Chris Rudd, 15. Dean Hanger, 16. Gary Chambers, 17. Alan Hunte, 18. Dean Busby, 19. John Duffy, 20. Warren Stevens, 21. Chris Causey, 22. David Highton, 23. Mike Wainwright, 24. Will Cowell, 25. Jamie Stenhouse.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.