Wigan Warriors are looking to smash a 19-year attendance record when they take on rivals St Helens at the JJB Stadium next week.

The largest average attendance recorded for the Wigan club since their return to the First Division is 14,934, which was achieved during the 1988-89 season at Central Park when they lifted the Challenge Cup, Lancashire Cup and Regal Trophy and finished runners-up in the Championship.

But now the Wigan will look to beat that figure and record their first ever 16,000+ average of the modern era.

The club is currently averaging an impressive 15,540 with one of the biggest games of the season still to come.

In the last home game of engage Super League XII Wigan face arch-rivals St Helens at home on September 14 in a match that could see the Warriors clinch a play-off spot and Saints secure the League Leaders title.

An attendance of 17,000 in this game will see the Cherry and Whites record an aggregate of 203,000 for the year, an increase from 2006 despite one less home game, while a crowd of 21,550 will see Wigan achieve the 16,000 average.

Marketing Director Simon Collinson explained: "We know that back in the late 1940s the club averaged over 27,000 and that in 1959 a record crowd of 49,747 was recorded for the Wigan - St Helens match, but accurate average attendance records only date back to the 1984-85 season."

Prop forward Iafeta Paleaaesina added: "Our fans support over recent years has been astonishing. They are the backbone of the club and we are truly grateful for the way they get behind us. It would be great if they can re-write the record books and turn out in their thousands yet again for our game against St Helens."

Supporters of both teams are reminded that the game on Good Friday this year sold out so they are urged to pre-purchase tickets to avoid disappointment.

Tickets are now on sale for the biggest derby in Rugby League' from the JJB Stadium Ticket Office, Warriors Ticket Hotline on 0871 66-33-552 and online at wiganwarriors.com/etickets while St Helens fans can snap up their tickets from Knowsley Road and the Saints Ticket Hotline on 0870 756 5252 (option 1).

Wiagn Warroriors crowd stats

Top 5 average crowds:1988-89: 14,934
1992-93: 14,754
1993-94: 14,579
1990-91: 14.570
2006: 14,464
2006 aggregate crowd: 202,942 (from 14 games)
2007 attendances:
Warrington 21693 09/02/07
Hull KR 15178 02/03/07
Harlequins 14971 09/03/07
St Helens 24028 06/04/07
Wakefield 14108 20/04/07
Hull KR 13538 18/05/07
Hull FC 14314 26/05/07
Catalans 12641 15/06/07
Bradford 15107 06/07/07
Leeds 14544 12/07/07
Huddersfield 12744 10/08/07
Salford 13611 31/08/07
St Helens ???????
2007 aggregate crowd: 186,477 (after 12 games)