Sky’s loss could be a gain for St Helens and Wigan, says Jonny Lomax
Jonny Lomax hopes St Helens’ derby with Wigan will sell out due to the game not being televised.
The derby between St Helens and Wigan on Friday night will not be shown on television for the first time since 1995, with Sky Sports opting to show the relegation battle between Leeds and Hull KR instead.
Wigan are set to sell out of their allocation of 2,600 tickets for their short trip to St Helens, while their hosts are predicting an 18,000-capacity crowd at the Totally Wicked Stadium.
Speaking ahead of the game, Lomax said: “Being from the local area, these are the games you want to be a part of and you are upset if you miss them.
“The rivalry is huge. Being from the area, its drummed into you how important these games are from an early age, so hopefully both teams can put on a great spectacle for the fans that come to the game because its not on TV this week, so they can enjoy it bit more too.
“I don’t know the ins and outs on the ticket front but if its a sell out then that would be phenomenal from both sets of fans. It means so much to the towns and the villages surrounding them towns.
“Hopefully the fans can add to what should be a great spectacle and the atmosphere should be bouncing and loud, which should only add to the occasion.”
Lomax hails from Billinge – a village that is within the borough of St Helens. Historically in Lancashire, Billinge is located by approximately 4.5 miles away from Wigan town centre and 3.7 miles from St Helens town centre.
And the former Orrell St James junior insists he classes himself as a St Helenser rather than a Wiganer!
Lomax said: “I’ve been a Saints fan since growing up and that’s what I’ve always been told.
“I used to stand on the terraces at Knowsley Road, so I’m a St Helens lad.
“If I say ‘I’m going to town’ then I mean I’m going to St Helens so I’m a St Helens lad, I’m just from that funny little area!”
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