THE mid-1930's was Warrington Rugby League Club's most successful period to date.

After a first Wembley Challenge Cup final appearance in 1933, came Championship runners-up spots in 1934/35 and 1936/37 plus a Challenge Cup final defeat to Leeds in 1935/36.

But four years of being so close yet so far were turned into glory in 1937/38 when Wire won the Lancashire League and the Lancashire Cup under the guidance of Chris Brockbank, who had become Wire's first team manager in 1936.

Also in this era, Steve Ray established a new seasons' try scoring record with 33 in 1933, but that was increased to 34 in 1939 by Izzy Davies.

January 1934 brought the opening of new dressing rooms underneath the main stand. Wilderspool hosted the 1934 Championship final between Salford and Wigan and attracted a bumper crowd of 31,565. That was a record but it was beaten in years to follow.

The traditional pre-season friendly between Warrington and Wigan, the Locker Cup, started in 1938. It was then known as the Wardonia Cup and was donated by a local firm for charity matches. Charities and amateur football in both towns benefited from the proceeds of these games.