Having two Engage Super League players in the family might seem like a recipe for friction, but providing all important support to Warrington Wolves player Simon Grix and his brother, Huddersfield Giants player, Scott, is just part of the game for Mum, Pat.
The brothers have not played on the same team since they were 16 and 17 (when they played for Halifax), so banter around who Mum will be supporting is never in short supply when the fixtures dictate that they will face each other on the pitch, as they were due to a couple of weeks ago before injury intervened:
“It still feels a bit weird, when they ask me who I will be supporting,” says Pat. “I tell them, I’ll be shouting for Scott when he’s doing well and Simon when he’s doing well.”
Dedicated rugby Mum, Pat, spent many years ferrying the boys to training and cheering them after they took up rugby, aged seven and eight. Halifax club, Siddal was where they honed their skills, although Simon moved into football for a spell, before returning and finishing at King Cross Rugby Club.
Since then, the brothers have established themselves independently with top Super League clubs, although home is still based close to Mum in Southowram, Halifax. Pat still watches them play every week, although this Sunday, she will be swapping the regular match day for a Mother’s Day meal with daughter, Elizabeth. Super League sponsor, Engage Mutual, took the opportunity to bring the boys and their mum together for a pre celebration with a bottle of champagne and some chocolates
Pat says of her boys:
“They’re great lads, with great personalities. They have brought me so many proud moments, I couldn’t pick one. I really hope that before they finish, they will end up playing together on the same team.”
The boys are next due to face each other when the Wolves take on Huddersfield on 23 May at the Halliwell Jones.