JOHN Bevan arrived at the club in 1973 from Wales with a surname that inevitably invited comparisons with Brian, the club's highest try scorer and a legend in the game.

He broke the ice with the fans in the best possible manner, scoring on his debut in a 22-5 home win against Castleford and never looked back, scoring 201 tries in 332 appearances during his time with the club.

He also captained Wales and played for Great Britain in his heyday.

John said: "I was extremely lucky because when I first decided to play Rugby League, I had never been to the north west and didn't know anything about the area.

"A few clubs were interested in signing me but I went for Warrington and it turned out to be a tremendous place.

"I was aware of Brian's reputation and knew it could have gone against me if I'd had a bad start at the club but the spectators took to me straight away and always made me feel incredibly welcome.

"Scoring in my first game was a big relief. I still remember the game very well. Alex Murphy got sent off and one of the Castleford lads tried to break my ribs but we beat them by a good margin and there was a good crowd there."

John arrived at a golden period in the club's history and went on to cup finals in the following two years.

He added: "I thought the club went to Wembley every year! Playing with such great players around me gave me a lot of confidence to enjoy my game. Even when I went through an occasional lean spell I knew the lads and the fans were behind me all the way.

"We were a very hard side in those days and there were a few players I was very grateful to be playing alongside rather than against. I don't suppose I would have lasted 13 seasons if I had done! We tackled well though and weren't afraid to give anyone a game."

Playing on the wing gave John the chance to develop a special relationship with the fans - and he was never one to miss the opportunity for a chat.

He said: "Being out on the wing can be a bit lonely at times so I used to chat to the crowd during the games when I could. You got to know the same faces and people were always up for a laugh and a joke so I used to enjoy it.

"The atmosphere was always good off the pitch, of course. The fans took me as one of their own and I had some great times."

John started working as a physical education teacher at a school in Blackpool towards the end of his time with Warrington, making the long journey to training by car.

"Luckily Steve Hesford used to live over that way as well so we could chat on the way. It was a long trip over but I enjoyed the teaching and liked the school so I stuck with it."

He said farewell to Wilderspool in an 8-4 win over Oldham on February 2, 1986 as shoulder and arm injuries forced him into retirement.

The teaching job continued until 1997 when he became Rugby Union development officer in Cardiff.