York 

Tries: Pryce, Midgeley
Goals: Morgan 2
Drop Goals: G.Steadman 1

Wigan had won the John Player Trophy the previous season and their defence began with the visit of Second Division York to Central Park. In October, Wigan had signed Shaun Edwards for £35,000 despite interest from other clubs. Alex Murphy gave him and Steve Hampson debuts here, despite both being only 17 years old, but it was Colin Whitfield who took the main headlines with him scoring 22 of Wigan's 30 points.

1983-1984 John Player Special Trophy Preliminary Round

Sunday 23rd October 1983
Batley 11 Doncaster 12
Whitehaven 0 Widnes 36

1983-1984 John Player Special Trophy Round 1

Sunday 6th November 1983
Blackpool Borough 9 Leeds 12
Cardiff City 47 Rochdale Hornets 6
Carlisle 10 Workington Town 5
Castleford 4 Hull 8*
Dewsbury 14 Keighley 17
Doncaster 11 Salford 22
Featherstone Rovers 12 Fulham 10
Halifax 12 Barrow 29
Huddersfield 8 Huyton 21
Kent Invicta 7 St Helens 40
Oldham 12 Leigh 20
Swinton 17 Hunslet 18
Wakefield Trinity 18 Warrington 32
Widnes 2 Bradford Northern 1
Wigan 30 York 13

First Round Bye: Hull Kingston Rovers

*Castleford v Hull had been picked for Saturday BBC coverage but was cancelled and moved to Sunday at two days notice due to Industrial Action at the BBC