A POPULAR, homegrown former Warrington forward has passed away.

Mike Peers, who played for The Wire between 1974 and 1979, died in hospital yesterday aged 65 after a long period of illness.

He made 56 appearances for his hometown club, scoring two tries and two drop goals, before enjoying a fine spell as both a player and joint head coach at Swinton.

OBITUARY – BY NEIL DOWSON

Mike was born on 1st November 1955 went to school in Bewsey and was an exceptional player in his schoolboy days.

He played in Warrington Colts and then in 1973 signed professionally for his home-town club.

He started the 1973/4 season in the 'A' team. In August 1973 the 'A' team opened up their season with a 23-15 win against Rochdale 'A' at Wilderspool, where the youngsters Wayne Gaskell, Roy Pickersgill, Peers and Dave Sutton showed up well.

The team went on to win the Lancashire Combination Shield.

Later that season, he was one of six debutants when Warrington travelled to Dewsbury on 31st March 1974.

He was a substitute in a 31-18 defeat, part way through a hectic 36-day period when Warrington played 12 matches.

When Mike Nicholas was drafted into the team that beat Australia in 1978, it was Peers who unfortunately missed out.

Peers was disappointed obviously but accepted that the right decision had been made. 'Nicko' was probably the man of the match that night in one of Wilderspool's greatest occasions.

His last first team appearance was on 2nd September 1979 at St Helens as a loose-forward. He suffered knee ligament damage during the match which ruled him out for almost five months.

However, he made a triumphant return for the “A” team at Salford at the end of February 1980, in the first leg of the Lancashire Shield semi-final.

Mike came on after 20 minutes and literally took the Salford pack on by himself. Lightning probes and astute passing moves put Carl Webb and Peter Taylor in for tries.

Peers made 56 appearances for Warrington, scoring two tries and kicking two drop goals and has the Warrington heritage number 753.

Tommy Grainey, who had been Mike’s “A” team coach in 1973/4, had taken over as Swinton coach and made Peers one of his first signings on 8th June 1981.

Peers enjoyed a fine career at Swinton and became joint head coach with Bill Holliday from June 1986 to August 1987.

Peers enjoyed his time being a rugby league coach. In August 1987, he became coach at Springfield Borough and remained as the club changed names firstly to Chorley Borough and then Trafford Borough until May 1991.

Finally he spent a couple of months as coach of Blackpool Gladiators in 1993.

Mike was good friends with Mike Nicholas and worked with him at Wire Wheels.

Mike Peers with Mike Nicholas. Picture by Mike Boden

Mike Peers with Mike Nicholas. Picture by Mike Boden

Mike was involved with the Warrington Players Association and was a regular at matches at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Warrington Wolves send their condolences to his wife Jan, daughter Michelle and the rest of his family.