WHEN Lee Briers lined up that drop goal at Headingley in 2006, he may not have realised he was about to create a moment that many would cherish for the rest of their lives.

For as long as I am in journalism, I will never forget that wet and windy play-off night in Leeds.

It started with the panicked dash to the ground, only to realise that the Warrington Wolves team coach had been held up on the M62 for even longer than us.

Arriving only 30 minutes before the scheduled kick-off did not seem like ideal preparation at the time but it certainly did the trick for Wolves.

Perhaps a shame, then, that they are arriving in Perpignan a full two days early for this year’s play-off against Catalans Dragons. Now that’s taking no chances with the traffic.

It was a night when little was expected from Wolves yet everything was delivered.

There was the last-ditch tackle from Rob Parker, which prevented Jamie Thackray racing away to give Leeds an unassailable lead.

And then there was the enduring memory of Wolves fans leaping about in uncontrollable joy in the background as Briers’ kick sailed between the posts.

When I move on to a new job at the end of next week, I will do so content in the knowledge that I covered a truly great game during my three-and-a-half years at the Warrington Guardian.

Reporting on Warrington Wolves has not all been like that of course.

Standing outside the ramshackle dressing rooms at Wakefield in the pouring rain for what seemed like hours, waiting for some sort of quote after this year’s 16-2 debacle, was not a highlight.

Players don’t exactly relish interviews at that sort of moment and I wasn’t exactly having the time of my life either.

But on the whole it has been a privilege to report on a club that so many people hold so dear to their hearts.

By and large players are pretty helpful to the media, even though they are not obliged to give up their time.

For me the ultimate privilege was getting to know Andrew Johns, albeit briefly.

There is always a risk when you meet people you admire that the reality will disappoint you, but Joey was a true gentleman with charisma that rubbed off on everyone around him.

I always enjoyed interviewing Toa Kohe-Love, too, because of his passion for the club, which was obvious with every word he uttered.

And I appeal for people to get behind Kevin Penny.

The try he scored in the Challenge Cup at St Helens this year was the best in my time here and it would be a crying shame if he did not become one of the best wingers in the world. He just needs patience and support and he will get there.

And how great would it be in five years’ time if Warrington had leading wingers in both codes of international rugby? In Penny and David Strettle, the potential is there.

Finally, I hope our coverage over the past few years has continued to serve the fans well.

The Warrington Guardian, after all, writes for the benefit of the fans and tries to deliver what you want to know each week.

I hope that some day the success arrives that both the club and the fans deserve.

And, whatever we do in life, we will always have Headingley 2006.