Under 18s kick off their season this Sunday at Orrell when Salford visit for a 12noon kick off. Got chatting to the Under 18s coach Matty Peet about doing a season preview type article so I posed a few questions at him

Now whilst the intention was to talk about the 18s, it was more the stuff about this new "Central Park" complex that grabbed me.

Should be an interesting read for you all: [url=http://wigan.rlfans.com/news.php?readmore=1171=#FF0000wigan.rlfans.com/news.php?readmore=1171[/url

Nobody should underestimate the impact this new complex could have. I think it is fantastic and a model which should be replicated throughout the world of Rugby League.

Great read Bilko

I just find it genuinely nice myself that things like this are being done for our town. This and the boys & girls club thing Dave Whelan and Wigan Athletics players have donated to are gestures that the youth of this town perhaps need. Whichever side of the :Supporting fence you sit on, I'm proud of these efforts.

Added to the new multi-million pound youth centre going up in the centre of Wigan, perhaps the future looks bright for the young people of Wigan...

I think the new youth centre is something our club should get involved with.

Connections to be possibly made over the coming months will see us connected IMO.

That's the thing Whelan has done that I was on about.

Do you think that Central Park will effectively 'take over' from Edge Hall Road in terms of training, admin and hosting U20s fixtures? Which then begs the question as to what will happen to Edge Hall Road.

We own Edge Hall Road. That is our training ground for the first team. We spent a 7 figure sum on it. I'm pretty sure we will be using that for years to come.

Central Park is for the 18's and below including the youth of the town in various education projects across sport.

Just wondered. As for the seven figure sum (£1.4m?), wasnt that for the whole club, including the freehold at Edge Hall Road? Without planning permission for housing, and with only a 1500 capacity, I simply cannot see it being worth anywhere near a seven figure sum.

That aside, whether it's owned or not isn't much of an issue in terms of relocation. It's an asset that can be sold should everything be relocated to Central Park (which would probably make more sense)

Again, it could also be that Edge Hall Road serves purposes that Central Park just cannot, in which case the club will maintain the status quo.

As I say, I was just wondering.

Latics could rent Edge Hall if they get relegated. Lol

I reckon the club should give the place more of a 'Wigan' feel. Putting cherry and white seats it and some cherry and white paint along the terrace would improve it ten fold.

Enjoyed reading that.

That fits in with what I have been told. I would imagine the U20's and U18's will continue to play an Orrell with (hopefully) the U16's and U15's playing at Central Park.

IRB pitch last year was terrible for those young age groups.

I wonder if all those young Saints scholarship players will be considering their futures? The first thing that Rush did (and he was the one who brought them through the ranks) was to drop them, and it looks as though another one will make way for Soliola this weekend.

Ironic Brian isn't it about Rushy.
Out go Makinson, Gaskell & Foster and in come Gardner with Lomax and Roby back. As you say could be that Wheeler makes way for Soliola if he plays at 4, he usually goes into the pack though. Perhaps Magennis out of the pack for Sia?

Shows the difference having experienced men does. Leeds right sided defence with Watkins and Ben J Bishop had no answer to Saints attack down that side. Leeds young 3/4 line was nowhere v Saints experienced guys.

Lesson for us somewhere in there perhaps in that with losing experienced players like Tommy and Carmont we should be looking for the one maybe two experienced men to take their place. If they go plus Roberts, maybe Stu Fielden be offered a pay as you play deal to keep him at the club.

A Saints fans guess at the team from the squad selected. It may be wrong but probably not far off. But is it a good side that the man being talked up for his academy work could end up with a team with only 5 Saints products and only three starting!
Wellens 1
Gardner
Shenton
Soliola
Meli
Hohaia
Lomax 2
Perry
Roby 3
Laffranchi
TP
Flannery
Wilkin

LMS
Clough 4
Flanagan
Magennis 5

Thanks for that Bilko. For some reason it makes me quite proud to see what has happened at the site of my old school, even though it's got sod all to do with me.

And seven overseas players.

How good does that sound

I agree, get rid of the amber and black and replace with cherry and white.