Rugby League fans took to social media today to celebrate the 22nd anniversary of one of the biggest ever upsets in the sport.
On this day in 1998, John Kear’s Sheffield Eagles side won their first-ever Challenge Cup, overcoming one of Wigan Warriors’ best ever squads with the Eagles seeing off the Warriors 17-8 at Wembley Stadium in front of over 60,000 supporters
The Eagles beat a star-studded Wigan side thanks to tries from Nick Pinkney, Matt Crowther and Darren Turner.
Current Eagles Head Coach Mark Aston provided a man of the match performance as he took home the Lance Todd trophy after kicking two conversions and a drop-goal.
Rugby Football League employee, Pete Stephenson wrote on Twitter:
“Remember watching this in Bridges on Sutton Fields with my mates. One of the greatest RL underdog stories of all time.”
Sheffield super-fan Katie Peat said:
“22 years ago, biggest upset in Challenge Cup history. What a day this was, made even more special being my sisters 30th birthday. Happy Eagles day! UTE”
Another Eagles supporter, Aaron Miller wrote:
“22 years ago as a 9-year-old inside Wembley Stadium, crying my eyes out at seeing my team win the Challenge Cup!! Happy anniversary Sheffield Eagles #eaglesforever”
Rob Gaukroger added:
“What a day that was. Lots of us were debating putting a fiver each on Sheffield to win before heading to the game, 14/1 they were!! None of us gave them a chance and decided against it! Never been so happy to be proved wrong. A great night out in London after I can tell you.”
East Sheffield Sport 