22-years after he last wore blue and amber, Leeds Rhinos fans will get the chance to see club legend Garry Schofield once again take to the pitch at Emerald Headingley Stadium on the 23rd June to take part in Leeds Rhinos Foundation’s Physical Disability Rugby League (PDRL) game against Warrington Wolves.
The ‘Return Leg’ fixture against Warrington Wolves Foundation PDRL side, who the Rhinos defeated in the UK’s inaugural physical disability rugby league game in February, will see Schofield and talkSport presenter Mark Wilson don the Rhinos colours as able-bodied players in the Rhinos PDRL side.
Schofield, who was this year inducted into the Leeds Rugby League Hall of Fame, said he can’t wait to take the field once again for Leeds and play alongside the heroes of the Leeds Rhinos Foundation physical disability team.
"These guys are proper heroes, aren’t they? Although they all face challenges with their own disabilities they still want to play this great game of rugby league and they want to be part of this magnificent club."
The former Great Britain and England international will line up alongside talkSPORT radio presenter Mark Wilson, who says he is honoured to be taking part in the occasion.
"I admire the lads that play it and we’ve always said on our radio show how great it must be to represent your club and those guys are lucky enough to represent Leeds," said Wilson.
"I’ve been lucky enough to be asked to play and it’s an honour to take the field with some of those guys. We’ve met a lot of them and they are genuine heroes, with the things they have overcome to play and it will be a pleasure for me to get on the pitch with them and I’m genuinely looking forward to it. It’s going to be a great day."
Schofield’s, now 52, last played for Leeds in 1996 before turning to coaching and sports punditry and is excited by the prospect of lining up with Wilson and seeing the Bradford Bulls fan in a Rhinos shirt.
"When I got told that Mark Wilson had signed up and that he was playing for Leeds, the same Leeds club that he rips into every Monday night, I couldn’t believe it, but I am absolutely delighted that he is going to be wearing the shirt. I must confess that there was part of me that wanted to play for Warrington because I wanted to rip into Mark but I haven’t put the Leeds shirt on since I left here in 1996, so I had to play for Leeds and I can’t wait to be on the field with these heroes come to the 23rd of this month.
"Just get down and support these guys, in some cases they can’t do everything they want to be doing in everyday life, so this is the enjoyment they get and a chance to get some of their frustration out but it’s going to bring enjoyment and a smile on everyone’s face, so come down and support it and really see some proper heroes on this great rugby league pitch."
Wilson, who never played Rugby League professionally said he is excited by the prospect of playing on the famous Emerald Headingley pitch and to expect a ferocious encounter.
"It’s going to be an honour to play at Headingley, I’ve never had that privilege, it will be a special moment, my biggest worry is I’ve not played rugby for 24 years, that’s going to be a problem straight away! I’ll get the excuses in early but it’s not letting the guys down because this is not messing around, this is proper rugby league and I’m going to have to pull my weight if I want to be included again so I genuinely am looking forward to it."
"Get along if you can and support the guys wearing the Leeds shirt and also the Warrington boys, I think people will be surprised when they come down, they’ll be surprised at the ferocity of this game, this is proper rugby league, this is not messing about."
The Rhinos side will also include legend Barrie McDermott and The Last Leg’s Alex Brooker and the Warrington team will boast a number of celebrity players, including Channel 4 ‘s ‘The Last Leg’ presenter Adam Hills and Super League legend Shaun Briscoe.
The game will take place on Saturday 23rd June at Emerald Headingley Stadium. Gates will open at 1pm on St Michael’s Lane only and the game will kick off a 2.30pm. Entry is via donations on the gate, with all money going to Leeds Rhinos Foundation.
For more information on playing or supporting Leeds Rhinos Foundation’s PDRL team email chris.godfrey@leedsrhinosfoundation.org
Full interview with Garry Schofield and Mark Wilson is available below: