Wigan Warriors star Liam Marshall knows just what pupils in the Champion Schools final, will be feeling as they walk out at Wembley – he played in the same fixture 18 years ago.
The prolific winger, 30, misses the Betfred Challenge Cup final against Hull KR due to a hamstring injury suffered last month.
But he will be there to cheer on his team-mates and also lend his support to the Year 7 boys playing in the Steven Mullaney Memorial Match.
The final is being played by St Peter’s Catholic High School and Deanery High School - both from his hometown Wigan.
Marshall, who scored the winning try in Warriors’ 2022 final win over Huddersfield Giants at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, presented all the finalists with their match shirts during a specially arranged event at Wigan’s Brick Community Stadium.
He explained: “Obviously, I’d heard a week or two before that two Wigan teams had got to the final which, in itself, is a great achievement.
“I’m not sure it has been done before, two schools from the same town, so it’s clearly a really big occasion
“It was quite short notice but I was asked if I could come present the shirts to the players.
“I was honoured to be able to do that. It’s a real privilege and it’s massive that we can give a bit back to our community wherever we can.
“Matt [Peet] has always been big on that and we do get involved wherever we can.
“And I did remember back to 2008 when I played in the same schools final at Wembley.
“It was a huge deal then but we didn't get this sort of presentation that these lads did.
“It felt really special and even more is so in front of a room like that with so many proud parents and family. You could see how excited they were to see their kids enjoying the moment and I was left excited for them all.”
Both schools successfully emerged from the North West Counties competition with unbeaten records in their three group games, and progressed into the Champion Schools national rounds as North West seeds one and three after dispatching their opponents in the NW Counties quarter-finals.
In the national rounds, The Deanery beat Ysgol Glantaf, from Cardiff, 18-0 in round one and then fought off local rivals Hawkley Hall in the quarter-final 30-16. St Peter’s entered straight into the quarter-final rounds, with the top two seeds from both North West and Yorkshire earning a bye in round one.
They beat London qualifiers John Fisher 30-4 to earn their semi-final spot.
Stanningley RLFC kindly hosted the semi-finals this year, with St Peter’s being the first team to secure a Webley berth with a comfortable 54-6 victory over Castleford Academy.
Just an hour later, Deanery followed them as they took out Liberty Academy 34-10 to secure an all-Wigan final for only the second time in boys Champion Schools history, and the first time in the Steven Mullaney Memorial game.
All the children are set for an unforgettable experience today as they walk out at such an iconic stadium and on the same billing as both the Men’s and Women’s Challenge Cup final.
Back in 2008, after a 12 year-old Marshall made the same walk, holders St Helens retained the trophy with a 28-16 win over Hull FC, Great Britain full-back Paul Wellens claiming the Lance Todd Trophy as man of the match.
On his own memories from the curtain-raiser, Marshall recollected: “I played for Standish High.
“I remember it really well and just feeling how it was such a cool experience: to travel down to London, stay away as a team, getting to not only see Wembley but play on a pitch which is renowned across the world.
“It was a class weekend. We watched the other boys and girls finals the day before and then we went and played ours.
“We beat The Pickering School, Hull, 58-8. I scored two tries and was man of the match. The award’s still at my mum and dad’s house – although it’s a little damaged as I somehow managed to drop it after the game!
“I look back and it was lads that I’m still friends with now almost 20 years later.
“I said to the boys from St Peter’s and Deanery High School to try and enjoy it and soak it all up.
“When you’re that age, just 12 years old, you can be a little naive and just take it all for granted what’s happening.
“But I explained that most professional sportsmen and women don’t ever get to play at Wembley – and they’re getting to do so while still at school.”
Plenty of previous Steven Mullaney Memorial Match finalists have gone on to enjoy professional careers, including Kevin Sinfield, Denis Betts, Phil Clarke and Chev Walker.
Marshall continued: “From that team in 2008, three of us ended up playing in Super League.
“Myself, Jake Shorrocks, who was at Wigan but is now with Toulouse, plus Nick Gregson who also played for Wigan but is now at Widnes.
“I’m really good friends with them both still and it’s great we managed to do that.
“Good luck to all the boys who are playing on May 30. Enjoy it!”
Tickets for 2026 Betfred Challenge Cup Final can be purchased here.
