Tuesday 23 August 2016 12:22, UK
Former England footballer Stuart Pearce will be given an opportunity to pass on a few last-minute tips to Warrington ahead of their Ladbrokes Challenge Cup final clash with Hull.
The former England U21s manager has been asked to present the Wolves players with their jerseys at their London hotel on Friday night as they prepare for Saturday's big day at Wembley.
Pearce, 54, who made his debut for England against Brazil at Wembley in 1987 and went on to win 78 caps, has been a regular visitor to the Halliwell Jones Stadium after building up a friendship with Warrington coach Tony Smith from the latter's time as national coach.
Pearce's most famous Wembley moment was scoring a penalty in a shoot-out against Spain in the quarter-finals of Euro 96 - which came as redemption after missing one against Germany in the semi-finals of the 1990 World Cup.
"He's one of our biggest fans," said Smith. "He really is hooked on it. In his phone conversations or text messages, he asks how 'we' did or gives his opinion on how 'we' did.
"He'll have the floor on Friday, he'll have an opportunity to speak maybe of some of his experiences at Wembley or his career. When he comes to games, sometimes he pops in the changing room, the players know he's a supporter.
"It's a great honour for somebody like him to come and present the jerseys for us. We're delighted. It's a big occasion for our players and it's great for our sport to have someone such as Stuart involved."
Pearce will be in attendance at Wembley on Saturday but there is no word yet on whether DJ Chris Evans, the former Top Gear presenter, will join him.
Evans, who is from Warrington, attended his first Super League match last Saturday as a guest of club owner Simon Moran, a well-known music promoter, and clearly loved the experience as the Wolves snatched a dramatic last-gasp win over Castleford.
"I happened to see him celebrate the final try," Smith said. "He had two arms in the air. He was really excited about it. He's a Warrington lad and a Warrington supporter.
"He came into our changing room at the end of the game along with his family and listened to the club song.
"To have some of those big personalities that love our sport is a real shot in the arm for rugby league and we shouldn't be ashamed to advertise that."
