Stefan Ratchford’s Testimonial: Warrington to host Wigan at Halliwell Jones

Stefan Ratchford’s testimonial year at Warrington Wolves will be celebrated with a special pre-season fixture against Wigan Warriors which is set to take place at the Halliwell Jones stadium.

Now 33, Ratchford is preparing to enter his 11^th season with the primrose and blue having joined in 2012 and was granted a testimonial by the RFL for the next 12 months.

As versatile a player as you will find in Super League, Ratchford has played in various positions for Wire over the years and to date has made over 270 appearances for the club.

Speaking about the fixture against the Warriors, he said:

“It’s going to be an absolutely massive game in pre-season, and I’d like to thank both clubs for their support in arranging it.

“Wigan is always one of the first fixtures I look for when they get released so to be able to face them in my testimonial game is really special. Being a Wigan lad makes it that extra bit nicer as well.

“The reaction since my testimonial year was announced has been really positive and I’m really grateful to all the fans for the support that they’ve shown to me and the team. Hopefully, that will continue throughout the year.”

Undoubtedly achieving the status of ‘club legend’ with Warrington, some may argue that Ratchford is also a Super League legend given how he has stood the test of time within the competition and is now one of the league’s most recognisable figures.

Wigan-Born, he first made his mark in Super League aged just 19 with the Salford City Reds now known as the Red Devils. Playing over 75 times for Salford, he helped the club back to the top-flight following relegation and also won the Northern Rail Cup.

After switching to the Halliwell Jones in 2012, Ratchford has gone on to lift the Challenge Cup twice (2012 & 2019) and the League Leaders’ Shield in 2016.

Even though Grand Final success hasn’t followed with Warrington yet, the England international has been involved in four showdowns at Old Trafford. Defeat to Wigan in the 2018 Grand Final was the latest of those where despite ending up on the losing side, Ratchford still took home silverware as he was voted the Man of the Match receiving the Harry Sunderland Trophy.

Only four players have ever picked up that accolade in defeat across 24 Grand Finals to date, so Ratchford is certainly a player that should be held in high esteem.

His testimonial match against the Warriors will mark a new era at both clubs with new head coaches in the dugouts.

Daryl Powell will take charge of the Wolves for the first time having made the move from Castleford Tigers, while Matty Peet will be in the hot seat at the DW Stadium for the coming season along with former boss Shaun Wane who now takes a backseat role with Wigan.

Ratchford’s testimonial will take place on Saturday, January 29 with a 5:30 PM kick-off at the Halliwell Jones.

The Wolves man  talked all about his time with Warrington so far, getting into Rugby league and his hunger for success in a recent episode of the Rugby League Review podcast in association with Prost International.

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