NATHAN Wood says he cannot wait to see everyone when he arrives in Warrington next week to join the hoards of Wire fans heading to Wembley for the Challenge Cup Final.

The 44-year-old Australian, who will be making the trip from Sydney, left an indelible mark on Wire supporters who saw him play.

Wood is remembered fondly for passionate full-throttle displays in primrose and blue between 2002 and 2005.

He has never been to Wembley before and will now get to see his former club go for glory in the capital on Saturday, August 27 against Hull FC, who were Wood's last opponents in a Wolves shirt in a play-offs loss at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Wolves forward Ben Westwood and current coaching staff Lee Briers and Jon Clarke were among his teammates at the time.

While here, Wood will be the star guest at a dinner to raise funds for the Testimonial of Simon Grix, who was a youngster coming through the Wire ranks when the ex-scrum half was last in town.

“There's more players on the coaching staff than on the field that I played with," said Wood, who made 96 Wire appearances in his three-and-a-half seasons after signing from Wakefield Trinity Wildcats on the same day as Westwood.

“I’m excited to see everyone.

“I love The Wire and I always will. I feel that I gave my heart and soul there.

“A part of me wishes I was still a part of the Warrington club in some way.

"I'm really looking forward to seeing all my former teammates to be honest.

“I'll probably shed a tear because I'm quite a passionate bloke."

Wood has left a note on Facebook saying he leaves Australia on Tuesday, August 23, also asking for advice from Wire fans for travel suggestions down to Wembley and pre-cup final drinking holes.

Then on Tuesday, August 30, An Evening With Nathan Wood will take place at The Halliwell Jones Stadium in benefit of former Warrington loose forward Simon Grix.

Other guests lined up include his ex-teammates Westwood, Briers and Clarke, with doors opening at 6.45pm for a 7.15pm start.

Tickets, to include a one-course meal and can be available as a table of 10, are £35 each from simongrix@gmail.com.

Wood was a rock in Paul Cullen's first full season in charge of The Wire as a first ever Super League play-offs place was secured.

Wood scored the first try at The Halliwell Jones Stadium - against his former club Wakefield - when its doors opened in February, 2004.

And he switched to the hooking role at the back end of 2005 to make the number seven position available to guest signing Andrew Johns in an unforgettable conclusion to his professional career.

* An in-depth interview with Nathan Wood will appear in the 20-page Wire at Wembley pullout, free inside Warrington Guardian's August 25th edition.