Fan travels from Belarus for Derby

• Wigan Warriors fan Peter Mason has travelled from Belarus to watch Wigan Warriors v St Helens.
• Peter lives in Brest, Belarus and has been following Wigan since 1963.
• Wigan Warriors v St Helens, Friday 7th April, 3pm K.O.

A devoted Wigan Warriors fan has journeyed over 1000 miles in order to be in attendance for Friday’s Derby clash against St Helens.

71-year-old Peter Mason has been following Wigan Rugby since the 1960’s, moving to Belarus after meeting his now wife Tanya, where the couple now live.

“I first watched Wigan on Grand Stand in 1963 – I’ll never forget Boston running down the wing!”, he said, “I didn’t manage to come up here until 1984, just before the Challenge Cup final. The club were great by sending me tickets as I’d never been to a game before but now I’ve been everywhere with them; Manly in Australlia, France a few times. It’s in my blood!

“I moved to Belarus when I met my wife eight and a-half years ago. She’s been to two Wigan games now and has been over here a few times. We met in Poland as she was just over the border in Brest.”

Peter’s trip back to see the club he loves was anything short of easy. His life in Belarus and journey back to the United Kingdom has been largely affected by political sanctions against the country, due to its involvement in the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict.

“It was a nightmare getting back,” he said, “The borders are closed and I’ve got to go around, up and through Lithuania, down into Poland to Warsaw. There’s so many sanctions so I’m restricted on lots of things like banking, sending post. I decided before Christmas that I wanted to come for the Easter weekend and the Warrington game and I didn’t want to miss the Saints game.

“I went to quite a few games last season because, originally, I was living in Stafford before I went to Belarus, so I was going on the train to all the Yorkshire games and to get here.”

The Warriors take on their fiercest rivals St Helens at the DW Stadium this Friday, with an electric atmosphere expected for the biggest game in Rugby League. Peter is hoping for more iconic Derby moments and a win to make his journey worthwhile.

He said: “I haven’t come to see them lose. I’ll even take a drop goal winner!

“The Derby game I always remember is the 27-0 at Wembley. I was behind the sticks; seeing Iro in the second minute, Ellery Hanley weaving through. Another one is the Joe Lydon dropgoal in the semi-final in 1989. I took my Dad to that game, who was a Northampton Town football fan and they were playing in Stoke at Port Vale.

“We were going up the M6 and he was looking for Stoke, and I said ‘No, we’re going to Manchester!’. I hadn’t told him where we were going and that I had my shirt in the back and everything, but he loved it!”

Fewer than 500 tickets remain available for Friday’s game against St Helens. Supporters are advised that there will be no pay on the day sales for this fixture, you are encouraged to purchase in advance to avoid disappointment. Get yours online HERE.