Hampson reminisces 1989 Cup Final

Wigan legend Steve Hampson admitted he shed “a tear” in what was a “dream come true” when he helped the Club to Challenge Cup Final glory in 1989.

Exactly 31 years ago to the day, former full-back Hampson reminisced about the game which saw Wigan nil local rivals St Helens 27-0.

It was Hampson’s first ever Challenge Cup Final and one he recalls fondly after scoring a try in his debut appearance at Wembley Stadium.

He said: “I remember it very well. “During my ten years at Wigan, I missed three Wembley finals through broken bones and the 1989 one was my first ever one.

“Everybody played well that day. Joe Lydon was one of my centres and we made a break towards the end of the game and Joe could have scored it himself – but he had been there and done that on numerous occasions and he passed it on the outside to me and I scored in the corner. 

“It was amazing – it was a dream come true. Every youngster as a boy would always love to play at Wembley but to actually score on your debut there was out of this world. 

“I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the trophy. For me to miss three and then play in the next five was an absolute honour. It was quite emotional – I had a tear in my eye.”

During this time of his career and in the Final itself, playing alongside the likes of Dean Bell, Lydon, Shaun Edwards, Andy Gregory and Ellery Hanley was an “honour” for Hampson. 

The five-time Challenge Cup winner said: “It was great. These guys are absolute legends. Maurice Lindsay (former Wigan Chairman) did a great job – he knew what he wanted, and he got the players he wanted. 

“When we were sat in the changing rooms, you would look around and see the players alongside you it was an honour. It was an honour to get in that side as the players were so good.

“Everybody loves the St Helens derby – both teams played very well that season. We just came out the blocks and were on fire from the start.”

Despite 31 years on, Hampson, who played 304 games for Wigan, says the time has flown by and that current social distancing measures because of the coronavirus pandemic has made him reflect more on his Rugby League career. 

“It feels like yesterday! It’s as though I played there a couple of weeks ago! Especially in these time with everyone being isolated, you tend to think about things and look at clips on social media. I think back to the games I played in and think about how great they were.”

Wednesday 29 April 2020