Thatto Heath Crusaders will host their biggest EVER crowd on Sunday, with 1400 spectators set to be in attendance to watch Thatto and Widnes Vikings’ Betfred Challenge Cup Second Round tie.
For community clubs, these are the days they dream of, and there’s one man in particular who is a huge fan of the current Challenge Cup format and the magic it can be bring.
Mike Woods has been Thatto through and through for the best part of 30 years. Starting out as a player, before going on to become head coach of the first team, as well as club groundsman, Wood is committed to the cause and does all of this on a voluntary basis – simply because he loves it.
“My life is spent up with Thatto Heath,” Woods said. “I’m surprised I’m still married to be honest!
“The club is a big part of my life – it’s one of them places where once it gets you, it gets you. There’s always something going on at Thatto Heath - it’s a good place to be and I love every role I’ve got.”
On Sunday, Thatto will welcome former “Cup Kings” Widnes to Crusader Park for the first time in their history.
They previously cruised past Seaton Rangers 78-10 in the opening round, live on the BBC cameras - a performance Woods was more than pleased with.
An attractive home tie against Betfred Super League’s Leeds Rhinos now awaits Sunday’s winners in Round 3.
But firstly, looking ahead to Round 2, it’s going to be an occasion that Woods regards as unbelievably special:
“We’re buzzing,” Woods continued. “These past couple of weeks we’ve had around 40 to 50 lads training, and everyone is happy. I just can’t explain the buzz around the place.
“The Challenge Cup means everything to a community club like this. I love its history. The way the format has been done this time and last year, is fantastic. It brings that closeness for the teams now, where you’re getting to play the professional clubs earlier, and that’s good for everybody at the club, especially the youngsters.
“I like to show my players that if you don’t manage to make it professionally, then look at the big days you can have at the amateur club that made you.
“And that’s a big thing of mine – selling the club and making sure my players know that they’re always welcome back here if things don’t quite work out for them.
“Being able to host these big clubs is also brilliant – and brings in much-needed money for the amateur clubs.”
Just seven miles separates Thatto and Widnes, which means the sides are well-acquainted with one another off the field, and have some interesting history when it comes to certain players:
“Widnes isn’t far away,” explained Wood. “We know everybody there. I know the coaches and we had a couple of teams runs against each other last year.
“There is a lot of friendship there and there have been a few players that have played for both clubs and enjoyed their time there.
“My brother Darren Woods played for Thatto after Widnes. We’ve just had Connor Dwyer retire who also played for them.
“Winger Paddy Flynn came from us and then Widnes snapped him up and he went on to play Super League.
“In the 1990s Chris Ashurst was a Widnes player and his lad Brad now plays in our team. The list could go on.”
The sold-out signs have already gone out for Sunday’s highly anticipated cup clash, with Widnes being one of the biggest names Thatto Heath will have ever faced.
Crusader Park, without a doubt, is going to be rocking.
“The Widnes tie is massive. We’ve got a 1,400 sell out crowd and everyone is on board. We’ve got volunteers everywhere and it’s just such a great thing, I can’t express how excited I am.
“We’re nervous to host such a big club like Widnes. In my eyes, back in the 1980s and 1990s, Widnes were one of the biggest clubs in the country,” said Woods.
“Widnes is such a big name, and I’d love to see them back in Super League one day. They’ve got a fantastic following.
“The crowd is going to be massive – the biggest we’ve ever had. There will be 1,400 people very close to the pitch, so it’ll be interesting to see how the players react to this.
“We’ll get it right though, we always do. We’re going to do our very best – everything’s covered and we’re ready.”
The Crusaders are no strangers to the Challenge Cup competition, having hosted a number of professional outfits in recent times.
“We’ve played 12 professional teams during the time I’ve been here,” said Woods.
“We beat North Wales in 2019, then had a good go with Dewsbury and have played North Wales again since which was a close encounter.
“We went to Halifax last year and scoreline wasn’t too bad considering ‘Fax are a great outfit – and we managed to get over the line in that game.
“We played Featherstone the year before that, but they were a side touching Super League at the time, so we did get a lot of points put on us.
“But we still like to think we’re quite experienced in this forte. There are a few times we’ve played professional clubs now. I just really like this new competition structure. People often comment on player welfare, but these lads want to play. The professional outfits are obviously fitter and much stronger but if our players didn’t want the big hit out, then they simply wouldn’t put their hand up to play.”
And as a former player himself, Woods has experienced all the sporting drama the Challenge Cup has to offer:
“I played against Whitehaven at Knowsley Road once and that was the year they went on to be a top side in their tier.
“The result was determined by the bounce of a ball – we very much could have won that game.”
Thatto are a proud club – and rightly so, boasting over 500 playing members and 27 teams.
And none of this could be done without their commitment and dedication from everyone involved.
“It’s a great club. We thrive on bringing the young kids through. We do a lot for the community. We thrive on getting bigger and better facilities wise. We’re a very successful amateur club, especially the open age.
“I've been around the game a long time - finals, cups and winning league titles. And I'm always excited for it.
“I just want the amateur game to get bigger and bigger. We’re the ones who make these players. I’ve had some of these players since they were young and watching them go make it is something else.”
And as Thatto prepare for one of the biggest games in their history, Wood was full of appreciation for his Crusaders family:
“For me, I just want to thank the club – from the committee to the catering and bar staff, to all the volunteers and Perry Kenyon, who has liaised with Widnes. I don’t think some people really understand how much goes into getting a game like this on – it’s hours and hours of preparation, as well as ensuring health and safety and security.
“Everybody at the club deserves a pat on the back and I can’t wait for Sunday.”
And although there's a huge prize in the Third Round if Thatto manage to pull off a major upset, Woods is looking no further than what is going to be one of the most memorable weekends.
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