George Williams on facing off with friends, captain’s privileges and representing the city

CAPTAINING your team in a Challenge Cup final has its duties and privileges – including the ultimate if you end up on the winning side.

And George Williams admits the prospect of leading his team-mates up the 39 steps to Wembley’s Royal Box and being the first to lift the trophy crossed his mind.

He could hardly have dreamed that his first final in a Warrington shirt could have been staged any better, with the team at their highest point since his arrival and coming up against hometown club Wigan Warriors, the club with whom he made a name for himself.

Loyalties may be divided between friends and family, but the England captain’s fire to earn success for his current club and lift the famous old trophy for the first time certainly burns.

“I think it’s special – I’ll try to embrace it the way it’s brilliantly set up,” he said.

“I know I’m from Wigan and we’re playing Wigan, but it’s not all about me, it’s about the team doing their job.

“It’s going to be a special day for me, my friends and family, some of whom may be stuck in between!”

On the prospect of getting his hands on the trophy, he said: “I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about it.

“I manifest quite a lot and I try to train my mind about what might happen – some people might find that a bit strange, but that’s how I process things.

“I’m reaching for the stars so lifting the trophy is something I’ve been thinking about.

“For me personally, I’ve never won it so it’s a massive road for me, but for the club, we haven’t been to Wembley for five years and Warrington need success.

“We have a great opportunity to do that now.”

Of course, Williams is not alone in wanting the champagne moment to lift the trophy high into the north London sky.

Liam Farrell – his old partner on the left from his Wigan days and a man the midfielder considers a close friend – has the same motivation, but as they prepare for battle, will there be any sort of recognition before they take to the pitch?

“I’m usually in my own zone and I don’t really recognize anything or anyone else,” Williams admits.

“Maybe we’ll look over each other a little bit – once you get into that tunnel, you realize how special what’s about to happen. I get goosebumps just thinking about it.

“I’ve played alongside Faz on the left wing for Wigan for years and he’s been a family friend for 20 years. Now we lead our teams to Wembley.

“It’s special and it’s something you have to enjoy. Our families get along and I’m sure they will enjoy watching us both lead the teams.

“There is excitement around it – let’s not beat around the bush. It’s a great day and I can’t wait.”

Once the action gets underway, Williams will likely be at the heart of Warrington’s push for victory in his role as the team’s creative brains.

Whatever happens on the day, though, he insists the team will embody the values ​​of the city it represents – something he says head coach Sam Burgess was keen to stress.

The supporters are certainly responding, with Williams believing their reaction to a young Wire side’s narrow Super League loss to Wigan is the clearest example yet.

“What Sam has done really well is connect the community and the fan base to the players,” he said.

“We have meetings and there’s been a lot of talk about how Warrington is a hard-working town and we want to replicate that in the way we play.

“I think we’re doing that at the moment and I think the fans appreciate that too.

“Look at the lads at the weekend – they broke down and worked so hard for the shirt and at the end the place sounded like we had won the game.

“As a group, we are fully committed.

“People appreciate hard work and fighting for the shirt. We won’t always win, but you can see we’re leaving it all out there.

“We’re so connected as a team and it’s a joy to be around right now.”