Episode 1 of an amazing new series featuring a Warrington family's previously unpublished cine film footage of Wire matches in the 1960s and 1970s
THE first match to appear in our exclusive new series comes from Warrington Wolves' finest season.
Alex Murphy's Wire team filled the trophy cabinet in the 1973/74 season, and the action above is from the first half of the final league game of the campaign in the build-up to the first Challenge Cup Final triumph for 19 years and the Club Championship success.
On April 15, 1974, The Wire defeated Leigh 27-16 at Wilderspool Stadium in what was their 10th match in 30 days - the congestion resulting from their outstanding cup runs.
Legendary stand-off Murphy picked himself for the first time in four months, and the wily old fox can be seen in the footage a week before his 35th birthday pulling all the tricks from up his sleeve as orchestrator-in-chief against his former club.
The way he attracts defenders from first receiver with little darting runs before distributing to his forwards are a master in his element.
The footage just about manages to capture his only try of the season.
Dave Chisnall's explosive power and ball-play are another prominent feature of this clip, while Warrington-born back-rower Ian Mather can be seen using his brute strength to crash over for his only try of the campaign from his 13 appearances.
Dave Chisnall
Kevin Ashcroft
Billy Pickup
Hooker Kevin Ashcroft along with centres Billy Pickup and Alan Whittle also figure in this cine film.
The Wire team on that day: Dave Cunliffe; Mike Philbin, Alan Whittle, Billy Pickup, Dennis Curling; Alex Murphy, Parry Gordon; Dave Chisnall, Kevin Ashcroft, Brian Brady, Ian Mather, Clive Jones, Barry Philbin. Subs: Ron Clark, Roy Pickersgill.
> When Wire last won the Regal Trophy in 1991
That 73/74 season Wire beat Featherstone Rovers 4-0 in the Captain Morgan Trophy Final at Salford, Rochdale Hornets 27-16 in the Player's No6 Trophy Final at Wigan, Featherstone 24-9 in the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley and St Helens 13-12 in the Club Championship Final at Wigan.
Murphy's marvels ended up fifth in the league table, with Salford taking top spot and the champions' title.
The second half of this last league match of the 73/74 season against Leigh will be in episode 2, while more amazing footage to come includes games against Australia in 1963-64, New Zealand in 1971 and Dewsbury in the 1974 Challenge Cup semi-final.
Incredibly, there are clips to come, too, of Brian Bevan playing in a charity football match at Wilderspool.
In future articles in this series, we'll also be revealing all about the father-and-son Wire fanatics who made these remarkable amateur recordings from the terraces that enable us all now to have a glimpse into the careers of some of the club's legendary names and their teammates of the time.
#Wire60s70s #TVgold #RareCineFootage
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