Martin Offiah believes stars could be aligned for Wigan in Challenge Cup final

Martin Offiah believes the stars could be aligned for Wigan going into Saturday’s Betfred Challenge Cup final against Huddersfield at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The former Great Britain winger, who played in the last four of Wigan’s record eight successive Wembley victories from 1992-95, says a 20th final triumph would be a fitting way to mark the club’s 150th anniversary, especially in the wake of the death of former chairman Maurice Lindsay.

Offiah, now 56, has narrated a seven-minute film based on a poem by poet and writer Tony Walsh to celebrate Wigan’s landmark anniversary.

“It just feels it’s like a moment in time,” he said. “Maurice was a great man and for him to pass at this time and for Wigan to come through a semi-final against St Helens.

“Just because it’s fitting, though, doesn’t mean it’s going to happen. You have to earn it. It’s another opportunity to make history.”

Offiah, born and raised in Hackney, fondly remembers his time at Wigan and was proud to be asked to narrate the film.

“Not being from Wigan, even though walking around London a lot of people think I am, I tried to do the project justice and make people feel emotions,” he said. “That was what I tried to do as a player.

“I thought to myself ‘this is something that is going to inform, inspire and connect future generations’.”

Walsh is best known for “This Is The Place”, the poem he delivered to the crowds that gathered in Albert Square, Manchester five years ago for the public vigil that followed the bomb attack at Manchester Arena.

“The poem (that the film is based on) was a joy to write,” he said. “I moved myself a few times with the imagery and I’m looking forward to the reaction.

“It was a massive responsibility. It’s not just about the