THERE had never been a season like it and there will probably never be a repeat.
Major moments, including personal tragedies, shaped the most dramatic and turbulent year in Wolves' history.
When all is considered, the seventh place finish was a creditable achievement.
Team planning was hit at the start of pre-season training, Brisbane Broncos and Ireland's 2000 World Cup pack man Kevin Campion turning his back on a Wolves contract.
That opened the door for head coach Darryl Van de Velde to entice Brisbane's Grand Final winning skipper Kevin Walters to renew his glorious 1990s Broncos half-back partnership at Wilderspool with Allan Langer.
Tongan prop Martin Masella, New Zealander centre David Kidwell and Australian hooker, half back or back rower Steve Georgallis were also among the pre-season recuits.
Martin Masella, a new arrival
David Kidwell
Utility man Steve Georgallis
But good news was in short supply.
Warrington Guardian relaunched the 'Save Our Club' campaign in January, on the back of plans for a new stadium being 'called-in' by the Government. The need for a public inquiry would cause a delay that would put the club at serious financial risk.
Andrew Gee, tearing into Castleford Tigers
Then prop Andrew Gee was put through a knife-attack ordeal and was chased by thugs outside of Wolves' Club La Santa training camp in Lanzarote. Steve McCurrie also needed stitches in a bad head cut in a 'training accident' on the Canary island.
Steve McCurrie against Bradford Bulls at Valley Parade, home of Bradford City FC
Player preparation was hit again when Alan Hunte returned from loan spell with rugby union club Pontypridd in February needing knee operation.
Alan Hunte trying to find a way through
At that time, too, Norman Summers stepped down as chairman of Wolves' owners, Warrington Sports Holdings Ltd, stating it was in the best interests of the club at that time to enable Warrington Borough Council to take more control in managing the way forward.
Then the season got off to a controversial opening as Wolves lost a fiery contest at Wigan.
Rugby Football League director of rugby Greg McCallum talked of 'thuggery' on the pitch and described the match as 'a throwback to the 1970s'. Toa Kohe-Love and Tawera Nikau were sent off. Danny Nutley was cited for punching and, along with Kohe-Love, was suspended for two matches. RFL discussed good behaviour bonds being imposed on Wolves and Wigan.
Toa Kohe-Love
Walters then walked out on Warrington, four games into the season, and returned to Australia for 'family reasons', and it was leaked that a Wolves player was being investigated for failing a drugs test.
Coach Darryl Van de Velde
Van de Velde rushed home to Australia after the Round Two defeat to Hull – to visit his poorly mother in hospital, returning four days before the Challenge Cup semi final against holders Bradford Bulls.
Tawera Nikau had a perfectly good try ruled out when the scores were 12-12 and Wolves were clearly on top at the start of the semi-final's second half. Wolves went on to lose despite Lee Briers' hat-trick heroics in a man-of-the-match display.
Lee Briers with his man-of-the-match award, a rarity for the award to go to a player on the losing side. Briers and Wolves were despondent with the defeat after being on top for a long period in the second half
War wounds for Dean Busby after the Challenge Cup semi-final defeat
Rob Smyth's try had given Wolves great hope in the semi final at Huddersfield
Three days later Briers' brother Brian died of cancer. And the next day Wolves were hit by a second tragedy when Nikau's wife died at home.
Nikau returned home to New Zealand with his two children, and Wolves re-signed another former Kiwi international in Gary Mercer.
Gary Mercer, left, back in primrose and blue after his first stint in the late 80s and early 90s. He had been player-coach at Halifax before rejoining Wolves. Here he is plotting with skipper Allan Langer
After four defeats, and with the world seemingly against them, Wolves pulled together to gain their first Super League win of the season at home to Leeds Rhinos.
Georgallis then ruptured his Achilles' tendon in the first away win at Halifax, and was subsequently ruled out for the rest of the season.
Gary Mercer celebrates the first away win of the season, coming against his former club Halifax
Steve Georgallis, whose short season with Wolves ended at Halifax
A stunning and rare home win against St Helens helped to bring some smiles back to Wilderspool, only for a hefty loss to Bradford to knock everyone back down to earth again.
A try from Alan Hunte against his former club St Helens
A stadium petition completed with 42,000 names was sent to the public inquiry inspector as evidence in support of a new home for Wolves.
Nikau returned from New Zealand, but hooker David Highton suffered a compound fracture of his cheekbone and was sidelined for at least eight weeks.
Tawera Nikau returned from New Zealand to serve out his contract
Up-and-coming David Highton was Wolves' main hooker following Steve Georgallis' season-ending injury
Gee suffered a recurrence of an early-season shoulder injury and needed reconstruction surgery. He quit Wolves and headed home to Australia.
In June, Van de Velde confirmed it would be his final season as Wolves' head coach, Highton was sacked after he pleaded guilty to taking a banned steroid.
Former Wigan number 9 Jon Clarke was brought in on loan from London Broncos to resolve Wolves' issues at hooker.
Jon Clarke, on loan from London Broncos playing against his former club Wigan
Wolves advertised for applicants to replace Van de Velde at the end of the season, with chief executive Andy Gatcliffe revealing the new coach would work with Van de Velde until the end of the year.
Allan Langer leading the way
Skipper Langer, at the age of 34, answered former coach Wayne Bennett's 'SOS' and flew Down Under. In a man-of-the-match fairytale performance Langer led Queensland to State of Origin series glory against New South Wales. Wolves defeated Halifax despite Langer's absence.
Upon Langer's return, Wolves suffered a record league defeat, 70-16 at St Helens.
Hard-working pack star Nutley revealed he had signed a 2002 contract with Cronulla Sharks but admitted he might have stayed if the club had tried harder to keep him.
Wolves lost at home to London Broncos and a group of fans protested for Van de Velde to resign.
Director Simon Moran and chairman Lord Hoyle
The board of directors asked Van de Velde to step aside for a new coach to start alone from August 1, with the Australian remaining in place until then.
Neil Kelly, in charge at Widnes, signed a statement of intent to become Wolves' new head coach but after Wolves' Cheshire neighbours won their Northern Ford Premiership Grand Final - with possible opportunity to join Super League - Kelly announced he was staying put.
Wolves interviewed Shaun Edwards, who was not in the initial seven applicants considered, with regards to the head coach role.
Allan Langer with Jerome Guisset in support
Langer quit Wolves due to injury. Also, he had been unhappy with delayed salary payments and the board's handling of Van de Velde's departure.
Former Australia assistant coach Steve Anderson, then revealed as replacement for Van de Velde, was appointed performance director hours before the team, prepared by assistant coach Paul Darbyshire, defeated Super League leaders Bradford.
Steve Anderson, right, and his right-hand man David Plange parade around Wilderspool prior to the Bradford game after being handed the reins a few hours earlier
It was announced Kohe-Love would be leaving at the season's end, to join Hull FC, and Anderson started to throw youngsters and trialists into the Wolves line-ups in preparation for 2002 recruitment.
Toa Kohe-Love loses possession against Bradford
Squad rebuilding commenced with Sid Domic, Matty Rodwell, Lee Penny, Jerome Guisset, Dean Busby, Paul Noone, Gary Hulse, Craig Weston, Matt Sturm, Tom O'Reilly, Dale Laughton Nick Fozzard, Kevin Crouthers, Leroy Rivett and Darren Burns signing contracts for 2002.
Dean Busby elected to hang around for more action in primrose and blue
Promising centre Ian Sibbit revealed he would be joining Melbourne Storm in Australia and Nikau confirmed he would be going home to New Zealand.
Ian Sibbit, who decided to leave and try his hand in Australia
For the second time in the season, Wolves suffered a record defeat but this time at home. They lost 84-12 to Super League leaders Bradford.
Nikau, Kohe-Love, Nutley, Sibbit, Hunte, Martin Masella and Ian Knott played their last games for Wolves.
Tongan international Martin Masella
Guisset broke his ankle in the final game of the season at Castleford Tigers.
Nutley was named as the club's Super League player of the year and the Guardian's player of the year. Warrington Supporters' Club and Warrington Wolf Pack members chose Lee Briers as player of the year.
SEASON’S RESULTS:
Challenge Cup:
Feb 11: Wolves 48 Woolston Rovers 6
Feb 25: Wolves 20 Leigh Centurions 10
Mar 11: Wolves 32 Villeneuve Leopards 0
Apr 1: Bradford Bulls 32 Wolves 20
Super League:
Mar 2: Wigan Warriors 34 Wolves 6
Mar 18: Wolves 20 Hull FC 32
Mar 25: Wolves 14 Salford 39
Apr 7: Castleford Tigers 16 Wolves 0
Apr 12: Wolves 36 Leeds Rhinos 6
Apr 16: Halifax Blue Sox 30 Wolves 32
Apr 20: Wolves 56 St Helens 22
May 2: Bradford Bulls 56 Wolves 24
May 6: Wolves 36 Huddersfield Giants 16
May 13: London Broncos 38 Wolves 16
May 20: Wolves 24 Wakefield Trinity 30
May 27: Hull FC 32 Wolves 16
Jun 1: Wolves 47 Wigan Warriors 38
Jun 10: Salford City Reds 26 Wolves 18
Jun 17: Wolves 30 Castleford Tigers 16
Jun 22: Leeds Rhinos 24 Wolves 24
Jul 1: Wolves 34 Halifax Blue Sox 22
Jul 7: St Helens 70 Wolves 16
Jul 15: Huddersfield Giants 52 Wolves 10
Jul 21: Wolves 28 London Broncos 31
Jul 29: Wakefield Wildcats 18 Wolves 19
Aug 4: Wolves 18 Bradford Bulls 14
Aug 11: Wolves 27 Castleford Tigers 12
Aug 17: Wigan Warriors 28 Wolves 12
Aug 26: Wolves 28 St Helens 28
Aug 31: Leeds Rhinos 16 Wolves 12
Sep 9: Wolves 12 Bradford Bulls 84
Sep 16: Castleford Tigers 28 Wolves 31
INTERESTING NOTE:
David Bates, Kevin Crouthers and Steve Thomas appeared on trials as Steve Anderson’s first signings at the back end of 2001
SUPER LEAGUE VI TABLE:
P W D L F A Pt
Bradford Bulls 28 22 1 5 1120 474 45
Wigan Warriors 28 22 1 5 989 494 45
Hull FC 28 20 2 6 772 630 42
St Helens 28 17 2 9 924 732 36
Leeds Rhinos 28 16 1 11 774 721 33
London Broncos 28 13 1 14 644 603 27
Warrington Wolves 28 11 2 15 646 860 24
Castleford Tigers 28 10 1 17 581 777 21
Halifax Blue Sox 28 9 0 19 630 819 18
Salford City Reds 28 8 0 20 587 956 16
Wakefield Wildcats 28 8 0 20 529 817 14
Huddersfield Giants 28 6 1 21 613 926 13
SQUAD STATS 2001:
App T G Dg Pt
David Alstead 5+3 0 0 0 0
David Bates 1+2 0 0 0 0
Lee Briers 25+2 12 86 4 224
Dean Busby 18+4 4 0 0 16
Jon Clarke 17+1 4 0 0 16
Will Cowell 0 0 0 0 0
Kevin Crouthers 4+0 3 0 0 12
Andrew Gee 8+1 0 0 0 0
Steve Georgallis 8+2 2 0 0 8
Mark Gleeson 2+1 3 0 0 12
Jerome Guisset 20+9 2 0 0 8
David Highton 12 0 0 0 0
John Hill 0+1 0 0 0 0
Gary Hulse 5+1 1 0 0 4
Alan Hunte 28 16 0 0 64
David Kidwell 15+11 10 0 0 40
Ian Knott 5+3 2 1 0 10
Toa Kohe-Love 21+2 13 0 0 52
Allan Langer 23+0 4 0 0 16
Steve McCurrie 17+10 8 0 0 32
Martin Masella 13+14 5 0 0 20
Gary Mercer 18 2 0 0 8
Tawera Nikau 28 6 0 0 24
Paul Noone 7+10 2 0 0 8
Danny Nutley 25+2 0 0 0 0
Tom O’Reilly 0+1 0 0 0 0
Ian Parry 0+1 0 0 0 0
Lee Penny 18+1 9 0 0 36
Alan Reddicliffe 1 0 0 0 0
Ian Sibbit 25+2 13 0 0 52
Paul Smith 0+1 0 0 0 0
Rob Smyth 26+0 14 17 0 90
Jamie Stenhouse 9+4 1 0 0 4
Anthony Swann 3 1 0 0 4
Steve Thomas 2 0 0 0 0
Kris Tickle 0 1 0 0 0
Kevin Walters 4 1 0 0 4
David Whittle 1+2 0 0 0 0
Paul Wood 2+22 1 0 0 4
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