TIS the season to be jolly!
And these Wire ghosts of Christmas past were jolly good sports to pose for fun pictures published in Warrington Guardian editions of the 1990s.
In the final winter season of 1995-96, Brian Johnson’s Wire side were crying out for a bit of flair in the build-up to the inaugural Super League campaign and Tongan internationals Salesi Finau and Mateaki Mafi were the Christmas gift.
READ: King, Livett and Tasi reveal their Christmas favourites
READ: Snow White and the SIX Dwarves? Wire stars play charades
The pair, members of the Tonga squad that featured in the 1995 World Cup, were soon called on for their debuts in a 44-33 home defeat to Bradford Bulls at Wilderspool Stadium on December 20, 1993!
Wire’s Great Britain internationals Kevin Ellis and Mark Forster played ball four years earlier.
Ex-Woolston Rovers winger Foz replaced the usual weights and Welshman Ellis wore the harness on a sleigh ride usually reserved for training drills.
The Wire were heading into Christmas, then the halfway point of a season, second on the ladder to St Helens and looking good at that stage for a title challenge.
Warrington were doing even better in December 1993, as pointed out by the fairy at the top of the tree – Rowland Phillips!
Brian Johnson’s men, a rejuvenated force in Jonathan Davies’ first season at the club, brought glad tidings to their fans with 14 wins from 18 games going into the new year.
Top-flight rugby league changed to a summer campaign from 1996 onwards.
Here's some of our favourite Wolves Christmasy images from the Super League era.
Ben Westwood in panto costume in 2012 for his part in Cinderella during his Testimonial year
Wolves' Richie Myler and Widnes' Tangi Ropati are ready for a Boxing Day tussle in 2010
Merry Christmas from The Wire's training ground in 2014. None of the players are with Wolves now, but from left are James Laithwaite, Matty Russell, Ashton Sims, Paul Wood, Anthony England, Ben Evans, Gareth O'Brien
Looking forward to a festive clash against Wigan in 2008 are Lee Mitchell, left, and Matty Blythe
Wolfie helping to promote the 2013 Wolves campaign
Set for appearances in Aladdin for Jon Clark's Testimonial are, from left, Jon Clarke, Ben Harrison, Micky Higham and Richie Myler
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