A brief history of The Derby
As we gear up to The Derby Worth Waiting For this Friday, Club historian Keith Sutch gives us all the facts and stats from the archives of one of the most anticipated fixtures in Rugby League.
The first every Derby match played between Wigan and St Helens dates back 126 years to November 1895, where the two sides played out a 0-0 stalemate in front of a crowd of 3,000 spectators at St Helens’ Knowsley Road. In more recent years, since the formation of Super League in 1996, the two teams have faced off 95 times (in all competitions) with Wigan claiming 44 wins and four draws from the fixtures.
Since 1897, 83 players have made their debut for the Cherry and Whites against St Helens. Notably, head coach, Adrian Lam, was one of those with his debut for the Club coming on 10th February 2001 against our rivals. Five players available for selection in the upcoming derby also made their debuts against St Helens:
- Zak Hardaker
- Joe Bullock
- Sam Halsall
- Umyla Hanley
- Kai Pearce-Paul
Sean O’Loughlin currently stands as the player with the most appearances for Wigan in a Derby (51), while Andy Farrell boasts the record for the most points in a game v St Helens (45 points, 26th May 1997 – Wigan 65-12 St Helens), as well as most goals scored in the same fixture (10 goals and one drop goal). Farrell sits top of the charts for overall points scored against Saints (340), as well as goals (148 goals plus four drop goals).
The standing record for most tries in a Derby match up is held by Green Vigo who registered seven tries in a Lancashire Cup game in August 1976. Though the overall try scorer for the Club from Derby matches sits with Jim Leytham (28) who represented the Club in the early 1900s and has a huge six hat-tricks against the same opposition.
Tickets for Wigan’s Betfred Super League Rivals Round clash against St Helens are on sale!
The biggest derby in Rugby League will take place on Friday 20th August at the DW Stadium. Don’t miss out and get your tickets now! Buy online by clicking HERE or call the DW Stadium Ticket Office on 01942 311111 (9am-5pm Mon-Fri).
