Matt Peet aims to bring the glory days back to Wigan

Matt Peet is confident his quiet revolution can help bring back the glory days to Wigan.

Peet was a fan and a regular visitor to Wembley when the Warriors won the Challenge Cup eight times in a row from 1988-95.

He was also part of the backroom team when Wigan lifted the trophy for a record-extending 19th time but that was nine years ago.

Now Peet is in charge of his home-town team and, at 38, the youngest – and probably the coolest – head coach in Super League as he seeks to lead them into a 33rd Challenge Cup final at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on May 28.

Standing in his way in Saturday’s first semi-final at Elland Road are rivals St Helens, who are the clear favourites to retain the trophy they won last July for the first time since 2008.

The quietly-spoken Peet, who was promoted into the role following the departure of Adrian Lam at the end of last season, would love to recreate the halcyon days of the early nineties he remembers so well.

“I was a bit too young for the really early ones,” he said. “I went to four or five and they were great times.

“You take it for granted and feel it’s going to last forever. I remember the shops being dressed in cherry and white and players coming into schools with the trophy.

“I suppose that’s the sort of stuff we’re trying to create in the town again.

“It would be fantastic if we could experience some of those special moments together. Some of this group have not tasted much success yet in their careers and I would love to be a part of that.”

Peet is satisfied with the start to his career as a head coach, with his team level on points with Saints at the top of Super League after 11 rounds, and is confident there is much more to come.

With players of the calibre of Jai Field and