Cine film footage of Warrington Wolves in 1960s and 1970s

THE video below is a fascinating glimpse of a Wire match played on a ground where American Football goal posts were in use. And a helicopter was called on to dry out the pitch so that the match could take place.

This was Warrington’s first visit to the Leeds Greyhound Stadium, where they faced New Hunslet in the quarter-finals of the Rugby League Challenge Cup on March 9, 1975.

Alex Murphy’s side, the holders of the cup, ran out 23-3 winners on a ground that New Hunslet called their home from 1973 to 1980.

How gridiron goal posts compare to rugby league posts

If the gridiron posts, helicopter intervention and perimeter greyhound track were not sufficiently bizarre circumstances for this affair, Murphy selected a starting team that was entirely different to the 38-20 loss at Bradford Northern a week earlier.

Tom Conroy and Mike Philbin were the only players to start the game on both occasions, but playing in different positions.

Philbin crossed for two of the tries as Warrington marched on to the semi-finals against Leeds and eventually the final against Widnes at Wembley.

One of the winger’s scores, and a belter from prop Dave Chisnall, can be seen in the footage while Alan Whittle and Derek Whitehead also touched down. Whitehead managed four conversions between the gridiron posts.

Wire team that day: Whitehead, Mike Philbin, Noonan, Reynolds, Bevan; Whittle, Gordon; Chisnall, Ashcroft, Wanbon, Martyn, Conroy, Barry Philbin. Sub used: Brady.

Incidentally, Wire returned to the venue – also known as the Elland Road Greyhound Stadium – the following season and achieved a 17-4 success again in the Challenge Cup.

Warrington played two league games at the venue, winning 28-10 against the newly branded ‘Hunslet’ in 1977-78 but falling 16-9 on their last visit in 1979-80.

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