Warrington's top 10 sporting moments of 2021

From youngsters taking their first steps into the big time to Olympic and Wembley glory, it has been a rollercoaster ride.

As we prepare to ring in a new year, we pick out Warrington's sporting highlights of the past 12 months...

10. Casey Brown makes his professional boxing debut

CASEY Brown could easily have been donning the primrose and blue of Warrington Wolves instead of trading punches in the boxing ring.

A talented rugby league player in his youth, he represented Rylands Sharks and played for The Wire's scholarship team up to the age of 16.

However, it was boxing that was his true calling and sure enough, he went on to have a decorated amateur career under the banner of Phoenix Fire Boxing Club, based at Warrington Fire Station.

After more than 100 amateur fights, however, the time finally came for him to turn professional and in September, he stepped into the ring for the first time in the paid ranks.

He outpointed veteran Danny Little on that occasion and has since won a second pro bout.

As 2022 dawns, Brown will be aiming to extend his winning record as his professional adventure continues.

Casey Brown made his professional boxing debut in September

9. Ex-Lymm High student Alex Mitchell scores on his England rugby debut

ALEX Mitchell first graced the Twickenham turf came in the colours of Lymm Rugby Club as he helped them lift the National under 12s cup.

Since then, the former Lymm High School pupil has climbed the ranks of rugby union to establish himself as a key figure for Northampton Saints.

Having won international honours at every age group, the scrum-half has been in and around senior England squads and even played in an uncapped international against the Barbarians.

In November, however, the time finally came for his first senior cap as he came off the bench in an Autumn International against Tonga.

He marked the moment in style, scoring England's 11th and final try as they thrashed the Pacific Islanders 69-3 at a packed Twickenham.

It is a feeling he will not forget in a hurry and one he will no doubt be keen to repeat in the months and years ahead.

Alex Mitchell touches down against Tonga to mark his first senior England cap in style. Picture by PA Wire

8. Matt Bonner wins a Cage Warriors world title

AS a co-owner of the Forge Fight Academy gym in Bewsey alongside brother Dan, Matt Bonner does plenty for his local community.

When he's not coaching the next generation, however, "The Beast" is putting together a handy career of his own in the world of mixed martial arts.

In June, said career hit its pinnacle as he captured the Cage Warriors world middleweight title.

He did so by submitting Saint Kitts native Nathias Frederick, who came into the bout on a nine-fight winning streak.

Bonner has since lost the title, losing to Frenchman Djati Melan via unanimous decision earlier in December in his first defence, but the moment of winning his first major belt will stay with him forever.

Matt Bonner with the Cage Warriors world middleweight title he won in June. Picture by Dolly Clew

7. Warrington headteacher masterminds stunning FA Cup run

THE FA Cup often throws up some incredible stories, and last season was no different.

Last season was no exception, with arguably the story of the competition being headed by Locking Stumps Primary School headteacher Jamie Vermiglio.

As manager of National League North side Chorley FC, he steered them on an incredible run to the fourth round of the competition.

Having started their run in 2020 by knocking out League One sides Wigan Athletic and Peterborough United, January saw them see off Championship outfit Derby County before landing a plum draw at home to Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers.

A chilly Friday night in January saw the top-flight side need a stunning goal from Vitinha to slog their way past Vermiglio's belligerent Magpies side, but their place in the hearts of the footballing public was secure regardless.

Locking Stumps Primary School headteacher Jamie Vermiglio reached the FA Cup fourth round as manager of non-league Chorley. Picture by PA Wire

6. Jodie Cunningham's incredible year

LESS of a moment and more of an achievement, but a countdown of the town's sporting successes would not have been complete without recognising a truly incredible year for Jodie Cunningham.

Warrington born and bred and a former pupil of Cardinal Newman High School, Cunningham is a trailblazer for women's rugby league and picked up just about every honour there is to win in the game in 2021.

Having captained St Helens to an unprecedented treble as they won the League Leaders' Shield, Women's Challenge Cup and the Betfred Women's Super League title, she was unsurprisingly named as the game's Woman of Steel – the top individual honour.

She also starred for her country, helping England to wins over Wales – a game played in her home town at The Halliwell Jones Stadium – and France.

2022 will be a big year for Cunningham as she builds towards the Rugby League World Cup and gets her teeth into her new role as the RFL's National Women’s and Girls’ Development Manager.

Jodie Cunningham with the Woman of Steel award. Picture by SWPix.com

5. A rugby league icon steps out for Warrington Wolves

IT was a move that did not worked out as everybody hoped it would, but Greg Inglis' long-awaited Warrington Wolves debut was a small moment to savour.

The Wire stunned the rugby league world in May 2020 when they announced the Australian icon would come out of retirement to join them for 2021 and almost exactly a year on, he finally made his bow against Hull KR at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.

The circumstances were far from ideal – Covid rules meant the game was played behind closed doors while a social media blackout meant there was not as much hype as there perhaps would be.

While it is fair to say there was some ring rust, Inglis still managed to cross for a try as The Wire ran out 50-26 winners.

'GI' only played twice more for the club before a hamstring injury brought a premature end to his spell in England.

Greg Inglis celebrates scoring on his Warrington Wolves debut against Hull KR in May. Picture by Mike Boden

4. From Warrington Rowing Club to the Olympic Games – Lucy Glover reaches the pinnacle

FOR a while, Lucy Glover has been marked for rowing stardom having emerged through Warrington Rowing Club.

This year has seen her take perhaps the biggest step yet by breaking into the senior Great Britain team for the Olympic Games.

Having helped the women's quadruple sculls to silver at the European Championships in April, the former Lymm High School pupil was named in the team that travelled to Tokyo for the Olympics.

Things did not quite work out as planned – alongside teammates Hannah Scott and sisters Charlotte and Mathilda Hodgkins-Byrne, they could not quite reach medal contention but they did at least end their time in Japan on a high by winning the B final.

At 21 years of age, Glover has time on her side as she aims to compete at many more Olympics to come.

Former Warrington Rowing Club member Lucy Glover made her Olympic debut this summer

3. Warrington's Alfie Devine makes Tottenham Hotspur history

JANUARY saw an up-and-coming youngster make a big impression at one of the Premier League's giants.

Warrington-born Alfie Devine came off the bench for Tottenham Hotspur during the FA Cup tie against non-league Marine at the tender age of 16 years 163 days.

Then, history – Devine swept an effort into the back of the net to put himself into the history books as the club's youngest ever goalscorer.

Hopes are high for the midfielder, who is the son of former St Helens rugby league player Sean Devine and who moved to Tottenham from Wigan Athletic last year.

As he continues to develop, he has already put himself in the "remember the name" category.

Alfie Devine scores against Marine to become Tottenham Hotspur's youngest ever goalscorer. Picture by PA Wire

2. Wembley glory for Warrington Rylands

LIFTING a trophy at Wembley Stadium has been reserved strictly for Warrington's premier rugby league team over the years.

In May, that all changed as Warrington Rylands gave the town's football scene its day in the sun.

Their league season was curtailed by Covid-19, but they were among a select few to continue playing as they remained in the FA Vase.

In a run that spanned nine rounds, three penalty shoot-outs and two national lockdowns, Dave McNabb's side became just the second football side from the town to step out at the national stadium.

They took on Binfield under the famous arch and emerged 3-2 winners to lift the trophy, with striker Elliott Nevitt making history by scoring a hat-trick.

Blues enter 2022 with high hopes of a third promotion in four years, but the high of that spring afternoon in the capital will certainly be tough to beat.

Warrington Rylands lift the FA Vase at Wembley Stadium after beating Binfield in the final in May. Picture by PA Wire

1. Warrington tastes Olympic gold for the very first time

BEFORE this summer, our town had never had an Olympic gold medalist to toast.

Now, we have two thanks to the exploits of swimmers James Guy and Kathleen Dawson.

Guy – a former Cardinal Newman High School student and winner of Warrington's under 11 Sports Personality award back in 2007 – stood atop the podium alongside Team GB colleagues Tom Dean, Duncan Scott and Matt Richards having won the 4x200m freestyle relay in Tokyo.

Days later, Guy was back alongside Dawson – formerly of Great Sankey High School – as the duo teamed up with Adam Peaty and Freya Anderson in the new mixed 4x100m medley final.

The quartet blitzed the competition to win gold in a world record time.

As a result, 2021 will always be remembered as the year Warrington could celebrate its first ever Olympic gold medal.

James Guy, far left, and Kathleen Dawson, far right, with their Olympic gold medals alongside Great Britain teammates Adam Peaty and Freya Anderson. Picture by PA Wire