26 Facts About Mike Gregory

Michael Keith Gregory was an English professional rugby league footballer and coach.

Mike Gregory won 20 caps for Great Britain, nine of them as captain, and took part in the 1988 and 1990 Lions tours.

Mike Gregory began his head coaching career with Swinton Lions before joining the coaching staff at his hometown club Wigan Warriors.

Mike Gregory was promoted to head coach at the club in 2003, but was forced to step down due to illness in 2004.

Mike Gregory was born on 20 May 1964 in Wigan, Lancashire, England.

Mike Gregory grew up in the Newtown area of Wigan, and attended St John Fisher Catholic High School.

Mike Gregory played rugby league for local club Wigan St Patricks before turning professional, signing for Warrington in June 1982.

Mike Gregory struggled with injuries during his last few seasons with the club.

Mike Gregory played his last match for Warrington on Saturday 12 February 1994, making 222 1st team starts and 24 substitute appearances and scoring 45 tries and a total points of 176.

Mike Gregory won 20 caps for Great Britain between 1987 and 1990.

Mike Gregory was selected to go on the 1988 Great Britain Lions tour, and scored a try as the Lions upset Australia in the third Ashes test in Sydney.

Mike Gregory captained the 1990 Great Britain Lions tour to New Zealand.

Mike Gregory played in the Rest of the World side against Australia in 1988.

Mike Gregory is a Warrington Wolves Hall of Fame inductee and Heritage No 822.

Mike Gregory started his coaching career as assistant to Shaun McRae at St Helens.

Mike Gregory later joined the Wigan Warriors, taking charge of the Academy team in 2001.

Mike Gregory led the youngsters to first place in the 2002 Academy Championship, before being promoted to assistant coach for the 2003's Super League VIII.

Mike Gregory had international coaching experience with Wales in the 1995 World Cup.

Mike Gregory guided the England Academy team to a historic series victory against the Australian Schoolboys in 2002.

Mike Gregory was assistant coach of the Lancashire Origin squad for 2003 and was appointed as head coach of Scotland for the 2003 European Nations' Cup.

In 2004, it became known that Mike Gregory had been suffering from progressive muscular atrophy, a form of motor neuron disease affecting his nerves and muscles which he had possibly contracted as early as 2001.

Mike Gregory went to the United States for a week in May 2004 for treatment.

Ian Millward was appointed as head coach of the Wigan Warriors while Mike Gregory was still recovering from his illness.

Mike Gregory felt that during 2004 he would be able to return but that the club blocked his return to work.

Mike Gregory took Wigan and the club's owner Dave Whelan to court, claiming Wigan should have done more to help him carry on.

On 19 November 2007, having used a wheelchair for the previous year, Mike Gregory died aged 43.