PLAYERS and coaches at Warrington Wolves should be congratulated for finishing the 2020 season despite the toughest of circumstances.

Chief executive Karl Fitzpatrick has been reflecting on a season dominated by the coronavirus pandemic.

The sport was shutdown from March until the start of August by Covid restrictions.

It meant a packed programme of games in the run up to next week's Grand Final.

And Fitzpatrick believes players from across the sport should be thanked for their efforts.

He added: "At a time where everyone else was socially distancing or working from home, the players came in to training, trained and played games ¬¬– putting themselves at risk - all for our entertainment – all on reduced pay.

"I think they should be congratulated for their efforts. They have been incredibly professional in the toughest of circumstances.

"And the intensity has been there as always. The product we have presented has come across very well on TV. Alistair Campbell sent me a message a few weeks back to say it has been the one sport which has looked the best in the Covid-era in terms of comparing it to beforehand"

Wire's season finished last week after a disappointing home play-off loss to Hull.

So attention now turns to the 2021 season with players set to return to training in January ahead of a later than usual start to the league.

The new kit will be launched on December 4 while season tickets will also go on sale soon.

And with The Halliwell Jones Stadium hosting multiple games behind closed doors this year, the Wolves will be ready to go when fans are allowed back through the turnstiles.

Fitzpatrick said: "We have to thank the council for their support with those behind closed doors matches.

"It was tremendous and we would not have been able to do it without them.

"Now the stadium is Covid secure and that puts us in a great position for 2021. As soon as we get the green light, we will be in position to have a socially distanced stadium for the fans.

"So that work we have done this year has not been wasted."

One of the positive aspect for the Wolves off-the-field in 2020 has been the support of fans and partners.

Sponsors such as Hoover and Halliwell Jones have maintained their support while just 13 per cent of members asked for a refund – which will be paid by the middle of next month.

Fitzpatrick said: "I have said it all year but it has been humbling. It is humbling that in the toughest of times, people were willing to support our club."