RETRO SPORT: Wigan Warriors in 1988 - including the Wembley homecoming

By Michelle Adamson

Published 3rd Jun 2023, 15:45 GMT

Wigan Warriors in 1988 – featuring the Wembley celebrations after beating Halifax in the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley on Saturday April 29, the homecoming and other matches from that season 35 years ago.

RETRO – 1988 Photographs by Frank Orrell

Wigan hooker Nicky Kiss obliges a young fan by taking his picture with the Challenge Cup as the team bus arrives at Wigan town hall for a civic reception on Sunday 1st of May 1988 after their Wembley triumph.

. 1988

Wigan hooker Nicky Kiss obliges a young fan by taking his picture with the Challenge Cup as the team bus arrives at Wigan town hall for a civic reception on Sunday 1st of May 1988 after their Wembley triumph. Photo: Frank Orrell

The Wigan team and injured Steve Hampson celebrate with the trophy after beating Halifax in the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley on Saturday 29th of April 1988. Wigan won the match 32-12.

. 1988

The Wigan team and injured Steve Hampson celebrate with the trophy after beating Halifax in the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley on Saturday 29th of April 1988. Wigan won the match 32-12. Photo: Frank Orrell

Wigan's Ellery Hanley avoids the tackle of former team-mate Gary Stephens to score a try against Halifax backed up by Andy Goodway and Kevin Iro in the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley on Saturday 29th of April 1988. Wigan won the match 32-12.

. 1988

Wigan's Ellery Hanley avoids the tackle of former team-mate Gary Stephens to score a try against Halifax backed up by Andy Goodway and Kevin Iro in the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley on Saturday 29th of April 1988. Wigan won the match 32-12. Photo: Frank Orrell

Wigan winger Joe Lydon dives over the line to score a try against Halifax in the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley on Saturday 29th of April 1988. Wigan won the match 32-12.

. 1988

Wigan winger Joe Lydon dives over the line to score a try against Halifax in the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley on Saturday 29th of April 1988. Wigan won the match 32-12. Photo: Frank Orrell

Wigan's Kevin Iro charges through the Halifax defence to score a try in the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley on Saturday 29th of April 1988. Wigan won the match 32-12.

. 1988

Wigan's Kevin Iro charges through the Halifax defence to score a try in the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley on Saturday 29th of April 1988. Wigan won the match 32-12. Photo: Frank Orrell

The Wigan bench celebrate at the final whistle after beating Halifax in the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley on Saturday 29th of April 1988. Wigan won the match 32-12.

. 1988

The Wigan bench celebrate at the final whistle after beating Halifax in the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley on Saturday 29th of April 1988. Wigan won the match 32-12. Photo: Frank Orrell

Wigan coach Graham Lowe and scrum-half Andy Gregory celebrate beating Halifax in the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley on Saturday 29th of April 1988. Wigan won the match 32-12.

. 1988

Wigan coach Graham Lowe and scrum-half Andy Gregory celebrate beating Halifax in the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley on Saturday 29th of April 1988. Wigan won the match 32-12. Photo: Frank Orrell

Wigan captain Shaun Edwards lifts the trophy watched by Joe Lydon after beating Halifax in the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley on Saturday 29th of April 1988. Wigan won the match 32-12.

. 1988

Wigan captain Shaun Edwards lifts the trophy watched by Joe Lydon after beating Halifax in the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley on Saturday 29th of April 1988. Wigan won the match 32-12. Photo: Frank Orrell

The champagne flows in the Wigan dressing room as the team celebrate with the trophy after beating Halifax in the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley on Saturday 29th of April 1988. Wigan won the match 32-12.

. 1988

The champagne flows in the Wigan dressing room as the team celebrate with the trophy after beating Halifax in the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley on Saturday 29th of April 1988. Wigan won the match 32-12. Photo: Frank Orrell

Ellery Hanley shares the moment of glory with the unlucky Steve Hampson.

. 1988

Ellery Hanley shares the moment of glory with the unlucky Steve Hampson. Photo: Frank Orrell

Wigan players Ged Byrne, Joe Lydon, Ian Potter, Kevin Iro and Nicky Kiss soak up their victory in the bath with the trophy after beating Halifax in the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley on Saturday 29th of April 1988. Wigan won the match 32-12.

. 1988

Wigan players Ged Byrne, Joe Lydon, Ian Potter, Kevin Iro and Nicky Kiss soak up their victory in the bath with the trophy after beating Halifax in the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley on Saturday 29th of April 1988. Wigan won the match 32-12. Photo: Frank Orrell

Robert Mills with his 10 month old grandaughter Clare welcoming home the Wigan team on Sunday 1st of May 1988 after their Wembley triumph.

. 1988

Robert Mills with his 10 month old grandaughter Clare welcoming home the Wigan team on Sunday 1st of May 1988 after their Wembley triumph. Photo: Frank Orrell

A Nicky kiss.....Wigan hooker Nicky Kiss steals a peck off mayoress Doris Jones watched by the mayor Coun. Jimmy Jones and Chief Executive Philip Johnson on the town hall steps as the team arrived for a civic reception on Sunday 1st of May 1988 after their Wembley triumph.

. 1988

A Nicky kiss.....Wigan hooker Nicky Kiss steals a peck off mayoress Doris Jones watched by the mayor Coun. Jimmy Jones and Chief Executive Philip Johnson on the town hall steps as the team arrived for a civic reception on Sunday 1st of May 1988 after their Wembley triumph. Photo: Frank Orrell

Joe Lydon and Shaun Edwards show the cup to fans at Central Park at the homecoming of the Wigan team on Sunday 1st of May 1988 after their Wembley triumph.

. 1988

Joe Lydon and Shaun Edwards show the cup to fans at Central Park at the homecoming of the Wigan team on Sunday 1st of May 1988 after their Wembley triumph. Photo: Frank Orrell

Wigan hooker Nicky Kiss obliges a young fan by taking his picture with the Challenge Cup as the team bus arrives at Wigan town hall for a civic reception on Sunday 1st of May 1988 after their Wembley triumph.

1. 1988

Wigan hooker Nicky Kiss obliges a young fan by taking his picture with the Challenge Cup as the team bus arrives at Wigan town hall for a civic reception on Sunday 1st of May 1988 after their Wembley triumph. Photo: Frank Orrell

The Wigan team and injured Steve Hampson celebrate with the trophy after beating Halifax in the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley on Saturday 29th of April 1988. Wigan won the match 32-12.

2. 1988

The Wigan team and injured Steve Hampson celebrate with the trophy after beating Halifax in the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley on Saturday 29th of April 1988. Wigan won the match 32-12. Photo: Frank Orrell

Wigan's Ellery Hanley avoids the tackle of former team-mate Gary Stephens to score a try against Halifax backed up by Andy Goodway and Kevin Iro in the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley on Saturday 29th of April 1988. Wigan won the match 32-12.

3. 1988

Wigan's Ellery Hanley avoids the tackle of former team-mate Gary Stephens to score a try against Halifax backed up by Andy Goodway and Kevin Iro in the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley on Saturday 29th of April 1988. Wigan won the match 32-12. Photo: Frank Orrell

Wigan winger Joe Lydon dives over the line to score a try against Halifax in the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley on Saturday 29th of April 1988. Wigan won the match 32-12.

4. 1988

Wigan winger Joe Lydon dives over the line to score a try against Halifax in the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley on Saturday 29th of April 1988. Wigan won the match 32-12. Photo: Frank Orrell

Wembley Halifax

News you can trust since 1853

©National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.Terms and Conditions Privacy notice