AS 2023 comes to a close, we’re taking a month-by-month look at the sporting year that was in Warrington.
Today, we look at November which featured a glimpse of the future in several respects…
FOR so long, Warrington has had to look enviously at neighbours St Helens when it comes to success in the world of darts.
However, that may be about to change if the rise of teenage sensation Luke Littler continues at such a rapid rate.
The 16-year-old provided yet another moment to remember when he scooped the PDC’s World Youth Title by beating Hollands Gian Van Veen in the final.
When that was added to his Modus Super Series crown, the five Winmau Development Tour events he won and his progression to the fourth round of the UK Open, it marked Littler out as the world’s best young player.
His progress means a two-year PDC Tour card is now secure, meaning he will be playing on the senior tour going forward, but his latest win saw him in good stead for his first tilt at the biggest stage the sport can offer – the PDC World Darts Championship.
Meanwhile, Warrington Wolves’ pre-season training under new head coach Sam Burgess got underway as preparations for the new campaign began in earnest.
It was not long until they had a full schedule to plan for, with fixtures for the 2024 season released in late-November.
It was revealed their first Super League campaign under Burgess would begin in France, with a Round One trip to the Stade Gilbert Brutus to face Catalans Dragons locked in for February 17.
A controversial change of venue for Magic Weekend was also confirmed, with Leeds United FC’s Elland Road taking over from Newcastle’s St James’ Park. The Wire will face “home” club Leeds Rhinos on Saturday, August 17.
November also saw the unveiling of the club’s new home and away shirts while the signing of hooker Sam Powell from Wigan Warriors was also confirmed on the same evening.
In football, manager Mark Beesley took charge of Warrington Town for the 100th time in arguably their biggest ever individual league fixture – a trip to National League North title favourites Scunthorpe United that saw them put in an impressive display despite going down to a 1-0 defeat.
That game ended a month in which Town took seven points from a possible 12 in the league as they beat Rushall Olympic and Gloucester City and drew with Darlington, but they were knocked out of the FA Trophy by Blyth Spartans in a game that proved to be striker Jordan Buckley’s last for the club, with the frontman rejoining FC United of Manchester for an undisclosed fee.
Over at Gorsey Lane, Warrington Rylands picked up an impressive and valuable 2-1 victory over promotion rivals Worksop Town but suffered frustration in their other two November home games, losing 1-0 to Guiseley before being held to a 1-1 draw by struggling Basford United.
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