Grand Final: How they reacted

Garry Schofield, GB legend: “Their will to win, their collective desire, their resilience, their self-belief, their professionalism and their defence are all the highest order. I don’t think Shaun (Wane) appreciated some of my recent comments about Wigan’s style of play. I will say this, Shaun possesses an unerring ability to get his players to crawl over broken glass for the good of the club. And that is the best thing anyone could ask for in a coach.”

Steve Mascord, Australian journalist: “Many believe the most vitriolic of criticism of Wigan in 2016, of their attack and of their players and of Wane himself, has come not from journalists, commentators and former stars but from among the ranks of the club’s own fans... They don’t need to deal with the club to earn a living. They don’t feel bound by defamation laws. Many don’t even appear bound by common decency.”

Phil Jones, Manchester United, on Twitter: Congrats to @WiganWarriorsRL brilliant performance & deserved winners!

Michael Carrick, Manchester United, on Twitter: Massive congrats to @WiganWarriorsRL. 3rd time lucky at the Grand Final for me. Terrific effort from the lads.

Dave Woods, BBC commentator: “Sometimes it’s the sheer will to succeed that overcomes everything, and that is surely the epitaph to Wigan’s season.”

St Helens, on Twitter: “Breathtaking Grand Final. Congrats to @WiganWarriorsRL and commiserations to @wolvesrl #slgrandfinal”

Ian Ladyman, Daily Mail journalist, on Twitter: “Thank you @WiganWarriorsRL you’ve made this family very happy. Again. @SuperLeague”

Karen Atkinson, ex-England netball captain, on Twitter: “Wig, wig, wig, wig, wig........mighty big Wig! #boom”

Wigan Athletic, on Twitter: “Congratulations to @WiganWarriorsRL on winning the #GrandFinal2016!”

Brian Noble, ex-Wigan and GB coach: “Full credit to Wigan, they were resilient. There wasn’t much between them, brilliant try-saving tackles across the field. It’s the only way to answer whatever critics you’ve got... what his team has done has shown Shaun is emotionally in control of them, and full credit to him.”

Kevin Sinfield, Leeds great and RFL rugby director: “They’re really fought against adversity. They stood up and been brilliant. Dan Sarginson’s left foot is deadly, he had a great game, Wigan defensively were outstanding.

David Sharpe, Wigan Athletic Chairman on Twitter: “Congratulations to @WiganWarriorsRL! We are from a small town amongst big cities & we should be proud of all the success our teams achieve.”

Former Warrior Blake Green on Twitter: “Big congrats @seanol13 and the team @WiganWarriorsRL great performance... and the ginger pearl how good!”

Phil Wilkinson, Wigan Observer: “Wigan have no right to win silverware. I know fans demand it and chairman Ian Lenagan sets a target of a trophy every other year. But we can’t have a more competitive Super League and a dominant side, and when Hull FC, Warrington, St Helens, Catalans, Leeds, Huddersfield and others are spending as much on players’ salaries, it makes victory all the sweeter. It should be savoured. It should be celebrated.”

Gareth Walker, Daily Mirror journalist: “Shaun Wane emotional, passionate and proud in the press conference.”