ALL aboard, let’s bring the Captain home!

The Captain Morgan Trophy, won by Warrington Wolves on the only occasion it was contested 47 years ago today, is missing.

“It’s one of life’s mysteries,” said one of the club’s officials.

The Warrington Guardian is calling on rugby league fans all over to assist in unearthing this historic piece of the game’s prized silverware collection.

“It belongs at The Halliwell Jones Stadium on display for everybody to enjoy,” said Guardian sports editor Mike Parsons.

Warrington Guardian:

“Someone, somewhere, must surely know what’s happened to this sculpture-esque item of rugby league treasure.

“It’s not just about Warrington, it’s a part of the game’s heritage, but it just so happens The Wire were the only ever winners.

“That doesn’t mean the trophy is still in Warrington, it could be anywhere and it would be wrong to give up on it being found for the sake of the game and all that it means to so many people.”

Reader Mark Hampson wrote in to the Guardian with images of the cup final programme and said: "No one knows where the trophy is! Do any readers have any clues where this handsome piece of silverware is today?"

Warrington Guardian:

The third national lockdown forced by the coronavirus pandemic has left many people feeling nostalgic, reflecting on happier times in history.

Warrington Guardian has taken the opportunity to bring back to life some golden moments in the club’s past, including recent coverage of the Regal Trophy and John Player Trophy successes 30 and 40 years ago respectively.

And Wire fan Mike Waller’s recent decision to share his family’s previously unpublished cine film footage of Warrington matches in the 1960s and 1970s through the Guardian’s website has poured focus on the stunning 1973/74 season under Alex Murphy when the club won an unprecedented four major competitions – one of which being the Captain Morgan Trophy.

“The competition did not prove popular in a busy calendar and was scrapped after one season but the trophy is symbolic of Warrington players shedding blood, pouring sweat and leaving everything out on the field in order to win this competition for the club and its supporters,” said Parsons.

“It’s significance rises in that it was won in arguably Warrington’s finest season in history.

“The least we can do now is try our very best to put this missing item of treasure in the spotlight and locate its whereabouts.

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“O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells;

Rise up—for you the flag is flung—for you the bugle trills”

Walt Whitman, 1865

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“Somebody may have it and isn’t aware of its significance, it could have been passed on to them and is sitting in a loft somewhere.

“During lockdown, people are looking for things to do and are having clear-outs. It would be awful to think somebody would consider it an unwanted item and throw it into a skip at a tip.

“Ask around Wire fans, spread the word, check with family and friends, search lofts and cupboards, let’s leave no stone unturned to bring the Captain home! Let’s make it our lockdown mission.”

Murphy’s marvels defeated Featherstone Rovers 4-0 at The Willows, Salford, on Saturday, January 26, 1974, to lift the Captain Morgan Trophy.

Full-back Derek Whitehead, who kicked the two decisive penalty goals, was named man of the match.

Warrington Guardian:

That season, The Wire also won the Challenge Cup, the Club Championship, the Player’s No.6 Trophy and even got the campaign off to a flying start by beating Wigan in the annual charity curtain-raiser to clinch the Locker Cup.

Warrington Guardian also understands that anyone who may have the Captain Morgan Trophy in their possession may find handing it over awkward after all this time even if they wish to do so.

There have been many stories over the years as to who might or might not have it in their care, also a tale that it was lost in the Wilderspool Stadium Brian Bevan Stand fire of 1982 but this is not believed to be the case.

The return of the Captain Morgan Trophy, or any information leading to its return, will be treated in the strictest of confidence.

The Wire, and the supporters, just want their trophy back.

Email Mike Parsons in confidence with any details: mike.parsons@nqnw.co.uk