PEARCE IS A WE BIT PASSIONATE ABOUT BACKING HIS WOLVES

STUART PEARCE is so immersed in supporting Warrington he refers to the Wolves as “we” when assessing their Grand Final prospects.

The former England and Nottingham Forest captain has followed the club since forming friendships with then national coach Steve McNamara (right, top) and Tony Smith (right, bottom) when Warrington boss. This season he estimates he has been to 15 Wolves matches, including those at Hull KR, St Helens and Wigan and clocked up five-hour stints on the M6. Tonight he will be a guest of the club’s board as Steve Price’s side look to end a 63-year title drought.

Pearce told Betfred TV: “If Steve gets his hands on the big prize, having made the top four and the Challenge Cup final, it would be some first season for anybody.

“For us to get our team to two major finals is brilliant, but we as a club want to go one step further – it’s the royal ‘we’ now!

“If we don’t then I think we’ve got some real solid foundations to go again next year and his first season’s been a good one.

“It will be tight and Wigan will be favourites, with Shaun Wane looking to go out on a high. But we’ve got the tools.

“We’re going to have to start well, minimise any penalties, maximise any opportunities and I think we’ve a fighter’s chance. If we could get our hands on that trophy the place would set alight, there’d be celebrations like you’ve never seen.”

Pearce’s admiration for league has continued to grow since his relatively late introduction to the sport. He added: “The technicalities of the game, the real nuances, are probably lost on me compared to the real rugby fans – but I’m learning.

“I just love the sport – it’s such a fantastically untapped sport in the south of England.

“I think that’s a shame and it should have more exposure than it has.

“There’s the genuineness of it – the players’ endeavours on the pitch are so honest it’s incredible – and the camaraderie between the fans.

“It’s a sport you can get hooked on very easily.”