A DESIRE to see Warrington youngsters realising the same dreams as Mike Cooper led to The Wire prop arranging free entry to his Testimonial game for under 12s.

Former Latchford Albion junior Cooper, who has represented the town in rugby league at every age level, marks 10 years with his hometown club Warrington Wolves in a Testimonial clash with 2019 Grand Final runners-up Salford Red Devils at The Halliwell Jones Stadium next Thursday, kick-off 7.45pm.

The match will also be the only home warm-up game for The Wire first-team squad before the 2020 Super League campaign kicks off at Wigan one week later.

“It would be great to have a big turnout,” said the 31-year-old, who is in his second spell with The Wire after returning from a three-year stint in Australia with St George Illawarra Dragons.

“It’s a Thursday night, a school night, so I know it’s not easy.

“The reason why we’ve done the free entry for children 12 and under, with a paying adult, is so that we can get as many kids there as possible.

“It’s about trying to find another version of myself, other young lads from Warrington who have played for the town in age groups and can progress.

“That’s my passion, hopefully somebody can look up to and replicate what I’ve done by coming through the system here and getting to where I wanted to get to through being a part of this club.

“Hopefully we can entice some more and get plenty out there.”

Wolves chief executive Karl Fitzpatrick applauds Cooper’s approach.

“Mike Cooper is going to inspire a number of community players to take up rugby league,” he said.

“He is Warrington through and through, an outstanding professional in Super League, the NRL and for England as well.

“There are a lot of young players running around in Warrington and playing the game because of Mike Cooper.

“It is fantastic to let under 12s in for free for his Testimonial to hopefully inspire even more Mike Coopers of the future.”

Free tickets for children aged 12 and under, with a paying adult, can be bought at the club’s store at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.

If a child is attached to a school or a local rugby team, a teacher or coach can bring them as part of a group and only the adults will pay.