A Q&A with Mary Sharkey

After more than four decades of outstanding service to Wigan Warriors, Mary Sharkey has retired. Starting in 1981, Mary has worked in a variety of roles, including Chief Executive and Chief Administrator, but now she has decided to retire.

Tonight at the DW Stadium for our Round 6 game against Castleford Tigers, Mary will be the Club’s guest of honour as she attends with her family and friends. She will also be on the front cover of the programme. Ahead of the game, we asked her a few questions about her 41 years at the Club…

Mary – 41 years at the Club. Why is now the right time to retire?

I think with what everyone has been through over the last couple of years with the pandemic it has made us all re-asses our lives. I am looking forward to the freedom of being able to spend more time with family and friends, give back some of my free time to the community.

Take us right back to the start. How did you first become involved in the Club?

I had just finished a work experience programme when a friend mentioned there was a vacancy in the office at Central Park and would I be interested in attending an interview. An appointment was made, and I met with Maurice Lindsay for the first time, unfortunately after a brief discussion and a few tasks that Maurice asked me to undertake, he then went to meet someone outside on the pitch and completely forgot I was there. After a couple of hours, he returned most apologetic and joked that he had better offer me the job. I started work the following week.

Can you share some of your earliest responsibilities?

My first role was in the small office at Central Park mainly carrying out general office duties i.e., answering calls, responding to mail, dealing with the general public. There was only a small team then of around 10 people and Maurice would come into the office most days.

You have been there at all the biggest events in the Club’s history. Talk us through some of them

The Challenge Cup run of eight consecutive wins brought a great buzz back to the town, all the stores in the town centre would have huge displays in their windows on the week of the Finals, players would take posters to shops to display. Supporters would queue around the block at Central Park to guarantee their tickets, some even sleeping out overnight.

We had numerous volunteers who would assist with the sale of the tickets (the Club would not have managed without these loyal supporters help). We even organised trains in addition to the numerous coaches to take supporters down to Wembley and on one occasion we had use of one of the very upmarket Pullman trains. The Finals themselves were occasions that will always remain in my memories – the Cherry and White at one end of the old Wembley Stadium was a sight to behold. Another game that will remain one of my favourites was the Wigan versus Manly game, the atmosphere at Central Park was phenomenal. The three consecutive league games played in ten days in 1991 with each game attracting a huge crowd is also another great memory. Who could forget the last game at Central Park, the crowd and atmosphere was amazing, the numerous supporters who hung around at the ground for hours after the game not wanting to leave, then the day later when the reality set in and the bulldozers moved in.

You have seen many characters at the Club. Tell us some of your favourites?

Joe Egan was a lovely friend, I loved listening to his stories of when he played, especially when he travelled to Australia by boat to represent his country in the 1950 Lions Tour. Henderson Gill was a great character – always larger than life and always a huge smile on his face even more so when he was scoring his tries. Graeme West was a great servant to the Club, he always went the extra mile, and nothing was ever too much trouble for him, he spent many hours visiting supporters and attending events in and around Wigan.

What about a word for your partner in crime, Mandy Johnson?

I remember Mandy attending Central Park for her interview looking all efficient with her folder of certificates showing her qualifications, little did I know we would form a friendship that will last forever. From day one we just clicked and formed a great partnership, working and supporting each other closely though the day to day running of the Club. We would start work at 6:30am when the Club had reached the Challenge Cup Finals and only leave for home well after 10pm – returning again the next day to start all over again. Mandy is reliable, dependable, professional and an amazing team member, she also has a wicked sense of humour and loves to play tricks.

What will you miss the most about the Club?

The day-to-day involvement, the friends I work with.

Describe in your own words what the Club has meant to you.

The Club has been a major part of mine and my family’s life, my mum ran the old bar in the Sullivan Stand at Central Park with most of my nieces and nephews selling programmes or pies or working behind the bars. 

I have made friends for life and memories to last a lifetime.

What is your hope for the Club and the future of Rugby league? 

My hope is for the game to grow and survive at all levels, to generate interest to attract new supporters, to make game day events for all ages to come and enjoy. And for the Club to return to winning trophies.

Everyone at Wigan Warriors would like to thank Mary for her wonderful service to the Club and wish her all the best in her retirement.