Daily Times

LONDON: Former England defender Stuart Pearce will present the Warrington team with their jerseys at the squad’s hotel on Friday ahead of Saturday’s Challenge Cup final against Hull at Wembley.

Pearce, 54 – who made his England debut against Brazil at Wembley in 1997 – became friendly with Warrington coach Tony Smith when the latter was coach of the Great Britain national side. “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.”