Way back in 1971 when Leeds were scheduled to
win the R.L. Challenge Cup, and Leigh were allowed
to make up the numbers.
I
was working in Salford and having to take a lot of stick for supporting
"a second rate club which had no business even going to Wembley, let
alone play in the final".
We assembled at Blackmoor Paper Shop at 0530 and
were on our way within 10 minutes, most of us tried to get a bit of kip
so as to be fully awake for the match, but excitement won and we fell
to discussing how we felt the game would go. We were all optimistic and
hoped for a good close game with a victory for Leigh, a one point
margin would suffice was our dream.
Once we moved onto the M6 we joined a
cherry and white convoy, what thrilled me was the coaches proclaiming
allegiance to Wigan, Warrington, Barrow
Rochdale and even Salford, and all waving the Leigh colours.
We then knew that our lads were not just playing for us, but were
carrying and defending the honour of Lancashire.
At a service station short stop I counted 60 coaches, (and that was
just in one 15 minute stop), all for our side, later when we moved onto
the M1 we encountered the blue and gold clad coaches from Leeds.
We were
polite to them and gave a wave as we passed,but they made rude signs in
return, that was when some people mooned them,(showed their arses thru
the window).
We were given a quick tour of London so that anyone
getting drunk and left behind would know where they were if they came round.
As most of us had brought liquid fortification, this was probably a
wise precaution.
Upon reaching Wembley we made our way to our appointed
sections and listened to the band, joined in the singing and when the
teams came out we raised the roof.
The teams were introduced and we then
sang Abide With Me,we were respectful for the National Anthem, and then
cheersd as Billy Thompson blew his whistle to start.
Most of what followed is lost in times curling mists, but I remember
cheering like mad when Stu Ferguson converted the 1st try, I remember
Murphy flat on his back and Syd Hynes taking the long walk to the bath.
When Alex came back into the stadium with about 10 minutes left to play
we yelled and cheered even harder, when Leigh paraded the cup at the
finish, we wept tears of joy, andas the stadium emptied we six were the
last ones on our end of the stadium, two policemen came to shoo us out
but they knew we were up to something.
We explained that we wasnted a
tuft of the Wembley grass to take home with us, so one PC went off and
brought two edge trimmings about a foot long and 3 inches wide.
These were
divided out andtaken backto Leigh where they were planted and loved
until they either got lost or died.
On tjhe Sunday we wewre outside the
town hall to welcome back our heroes, they were due at 6-00 but the
crowds were so dense over the last 3 miles that they didn't arrive unti
7-50.
I still have my programme and rosette, they will hoefully be on my
coffin, (whenever) cos I want that sod with a harp to find me a seat on
the half way line at the celestial test match, I'll bet they're playing
Hell when I get there.
If only I could remember the finer details, then
Leigh beating Leeds in the Challenge Cup Final woul be my most
memorable match.
Spud Y
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