www.wiganwarriors.com/WContent.a ... 869&type=1

www.wiganwarriors.com/WContent.a ... 869&type=1

Rock?

Thought if he'd stamp his feet hard enough he would get released/sacked. Not the case, go spend a year playing for Widnes! OUCH!!

Sometimes you shouldn't bite the hand that feeds you. Especially after that hand supported you whilst you were the disgrace of rugby.

I remember when Connolly signed for Wigan how much fun it was hearing the anger of the Stains fans when he played against them.

When Widnes roll into the Pie-dome, it will make that look like gentle joshing and be hilarious.

Is this all to do with his proposed Oz move not happening?

they have stuck by him through various **** ups (not least I'd assume because he's an excellent player) and he seems to have no sense of loyalty to them, and a bit of an ego problem too by the sounds of it

Sadly, upon reading the article more fully, I note that he is not allowed to play against Wigan in any competition.

SPOILSPORTS!

What a derrick

Yup, bang goes the red card sweepstake.

Cross V Hock - who will give away the most brain dead penalties? Could be edge of the seat stuff. Too close to call.

Not cool with this at all. It seems that Gareth Hock is being held hostage by the red tape of his Wigan contract.

Which club was that then, I wonder....

No, really, which SL club did he want to sign for?

I know he wanted to go to OZ but not another SL club.

Literally?

Two sides to every story.

Wigan have had their say in less than pleasant terms, be interested to see what Gareth Hock has to say in response.

Too right! From what I hear they even expected him to train and play for them!

whilst paying money into his bank account on a monthly basis as per the terms of said contract?

If Wigan were concerned that he was looking to sign for one of their rivals.
Then that could only be Saints, Wire or Leeds.
My guess Wire.

I'd be surprised if Tony Smith was interested in disrupting what is already a pretty fine team. And wasn't Hock found guilty of gouging a wire player a year or two back?

Can't see that having any effect to be honest.

It's well documented these constant 'issues' that have plagued his career balanced against a fine rugby league second rower on his day.

Incidents occur, people get over it. A bigger picture is looked at. Hock would strengthen most teams.....just don't expect him to be available for 35 games a year!

Perhaps you're right re the gouging. Nonetheless, I still have doubts whether Warrington would be strengthened by signing Hock, in the same way that I'd have reservations were we to sign him.

More disturbingly, it transpires that he and Kevin Brown are brothers-in-law. Meaning that any offspring will share DNA (and presumably looks) with both. One for the family album.

There's two sides to every story as Andy Gilder has already alluded to.

Yes Wigan looked after Gareth Hock when he hit rock bottom in his career but it's not like he could really go anywhere else. Having grown up in the town, Wigan is all that Gareth knows so what he needed to get through those hard times with the help of family and friends. Well they got him through the hard times and he's since repaid them by playing some good rugby. However by the looks of things Wigan have got greedy as a club and it's now either their way or the highway.

This would never happen at Leeds Rhinos where Greg Eastwood was free to come and go when he wanted without any fuss. Chev Walker also had a hard time which Leeds Rhinos helped him through. Did Chev get greedy and go to Rugby Union?

There's more to this than what meets the eye!

Wire were the club he was hoping to join. Infact, he practically gave it away with his SSN interview 'Wigan wouldn't let me join one of their rivals Warrington.... Or saints or Leeds...

Also, in addition to annoying them with his demands, he has failed an internal test at Wigan - and I don't mean a spelling test. Complete loser!

Seems a little petulant from the Wigan club. The club should be bigger than that. There will be plenty of players who ask for more money, even some who back it up with a threat of withdrawing their services.
Not sure what Hock is supposed to "owe" Wigan. They re-employed a quality player after he served his ban and for me they got plenty in return from him. The fact they don't want to face him suggests they still highly rate him as a player as well.

Loan him out to a $h!t club, stipulate he can't play against them, deny him a transfer to a serious competitor? A bit over the top for me. The guy has a couple of years of earning top money in him, after that he's going to struggle to make a decent living. This is pretty nasty and it all sounds personal.

The guy has a bit of an iffy reputation for discipline, but frankly having watched the game for 30 years he's a pussycat. I like his style, I like the fact he genuinely intimidates people and pushes softcock packs around.

Bad example. Leeds enforced Iestyn Harris' contractual obligations with some vigour.

What's the problem with Wigan's actions? They hold his contract, he refuses to fulfill it, they're legally entitled to act as they have.

Though I agree the public statement seems a little petty and if I were Widnes, with whom they have an "excellent" relationship apparently, I'd be insulted that they're not considered one of Wigan's "rivals". True or not 9and it is) it's still insulting and unnecessary to a fellow league club to say so publicly.