Chris Hill’s dark Wembley memory is jogged – son wants Warrington there NEXT year
Wolves' skipper was in England side that suffered World Cup heartbreak in 2013 and a clubmate has already reminded him of that day
CHRIS Hill hopes to make new happy Wembley memories after instantly being reminded of his worst by Warrington team-mate Bryson Goodwin.
And he is already under pressure to make next year’s showpiece so he can be joined on the walk-out by son Oliver.
The Wolves captain could only look from the bench as England suffered World Cup heartache in a last-gasp semi-final defeat to New Zealand at the national stadium in 2013.
In the Kiwis’ centres that day was now clubmate Bryson Goodwin and as soon as they set foot on the pitch for today’s captain’s run, the memories came flooding back.
Hill said: “Bryson has been on about it, I was like, ‘Don’t remind me. It haunts me.’
“He was pretty quick to bring it up, as soon as we stepped on the turf really.
“It’s my fourth time here but it gets even better every time I come here. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it but I’ve got to love it.”
Kevin Brown’s son Harry has the honour of being Warrington’s mascot against Catalans Dragons tomorrow.
And after Hill’s eldest son Connor did the job before the 2016 final, his other son Oliver already has his eyes on Wembley next year.
The prop added: “In 2016, I walked out with my eldest lad – I know we lost but it’s still a special memory.
“Harry Brown has the honour as my eldest has done it and you have to be six-years-old, so Oliver couldn’t do it as he’s only five.
“He’s said we’ll have to get there next year so he can do it, I said, ‘Let’s take it one step at a time.’ No pressure then.”
Ryan Atkins will miss out on the final after failing to recover from a biceps injury in time, meaning Toby King will line up in the centres for the Wolves.
