Martin Offiah

Martin joined Wigan in January 1992 for a fee of £440,000 (based on increases in average earnings, this would be approximately £1,000,000 in 2007). Playing on the wing, he formed a devastating partnership with Gene Miles in his first season at Wigan scoring 30 tries in just 15 games including a club record ten in a match against Leeds in the Premiership semi final. He became a real showman and character of the game, often infuriating opponents when he raced past them waving goodbye, goose stepping when clear or nodding in celebration with team-mate Shaun Edwards.

He had great hands and an eye for a try, often making interceptions then racing the length of the field to score. He received criticism over his defensive game, but such was the dominance of the Wigan during this period, that he was rarely required to defend.

He played in Wigan's World Club Challenge win over the Brisbane Broncos in 1994, four Challenge Cup wins, five Championship teams, three Regal Trophy wins and one Lancashire Cup victory. He twice won the Lance Todd Trophy at Wembley.The 90 metre solo try in the 1994 Challenge Cup Final win over Leeds is remembered as one of the finest ever.

He made a total of 158 appearances for Wigan with another single appearance as a substitute. He notched up more than a try a game, crossing the line 186 times and also managed a goal and 3 drop goals thus bagging a grand total of 749 points for the club.

A regular guest on all the established sporting and quiz shows, he has shown his versatility by appearing in both Emmerdale and Hollyoaks, a feat he is particularly proud of. More recently Martin appeared in the play Mothers Day at the Lyric theatre Hammersmith where he played the lead role Benny and more recently appearing in the top rating BBC Show "Strictly Come Dancing". His services to rugby were suitably rewarded when he received an MBE at Buckingham Palace. He has also been an Honorary fellowship at John Moores University in Liverpool.

In 2009 Libros International published Fifty Of The Best which is Martin's guide to the greatest rugby league tries of all time.

Martin is available for personal appearances, question and answer evenings, corporate days and media projects.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8TsCBgCp4M

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