Valid points, but on the flip side can you warm to the Andy Murray, Lewis Hamilton dull as dishwater types either? I can't.

That's kind, I was expecting Leeds' greatest ever captain to get a mention there.

I prefer sportsmen to be dedicated.

I find Sinni riveting. And well fit obviously.


FWIW I agree, but I'd like a bit of personality thrown in aswell, Someone like Ali or Webb.

Don't want to warm to them dude. Don'need to like them. Don't know them personally and don't want to stalk them.

I want them desperately to be succesful especially if they play for the team I support. If that means they don't get p1ssed and embarrass themselves whilst under contract for the team I adore and they give stock answers in media interviews and conuct themselves quietly with dignity I can handle that.

That's why Sinny (who is well fit) and just about every member of this Leeds set up over the last few years will have my utmost respect for what they have done as opposed to some clown like Schofield who was possibly more gifted than anyone we currently have but was ultimately a failure and a failure because his own shortcomings.

BTW, I can't stand Murray. He's a jock who said he supports whoever is playing against England in football so why any self respecting Englishman would root for him is beyond me.

The Aussies genuinely feared him though and he didn't let GB down.

I don't need "characters" who have no real character.

As an example of someone who has my respect as a player AND brought out a book worth reading AND is light years away from being a prat AND has true character ... gentlemen, I suggest Jamie Peacock.

Like his Leeds contemporaries today he failed to win an ashes series against the Aussies, won a series against the Kiwis and didn't win a world cup. He acheived no more than Sinfield, McGuire or Burrow at international level.

He did play in a World Cup Final Loss. However, he got dropped from his club position at stand off for dedicated, hard working pro from the Sheffield club, Darryl Powell. Tell you something?

I reckon Ellery Hanley would agree with you.

1992 or 1995?

He would. The coach of the World Cup Final who dropped Schoey from Stand off was Reilly.

When Hanley succeeded him he dropped Schoey all together from te GB tem that beat Australa then brought him back onto the bench for two defeats.

Tell you something?

All of this when Schoey should've been at the peak of his powers as Leeds and GB stand off. Schoey should inidividually hold the record for GB caps. That he doesn't is down to him.

I was thinking of Hanley's comments about Powell...about who he'd want in the trenches with him.

I know. I was taking the point further by highlighting what Hanley thought of Schoey when he became natonal coach.

G1 has hit the nail on the head.

Not read the article yet but the title made me laugh ...

Sean Long: 'If it hadn't been for rugby I'd have ended up in a gang or jailed'

...(I never knew Sean grew up in an inner-city rife with Gang-related crime)...

Sean Long: 'If it hadn't been for rugby I'd have ended up working in the central park Tesco of one of Dave Whelan's JJB stores'

Doesn't quite have the same ring to it does it?

With such an gift for sensationalism Sean should be able to look forward to a career with as a Tabloid columnist after he finishes in League

Are you implying Sean Long is not a dedicated sportsman?

You think crime only happens in inner cities? Clearly you haven't travelled, and haven't been to certain parts of Wigan! He grew up in a rough area where there was plenty of crime and I can easily believe that had he not had rugby league he would have been drawn in to gangs and such like. Part of what he loves about rugby league is being one of a team, of a community. People often end up in gangs because they crave community.

I disagree, I have read his book and I actually can't believe I have a lower opinion of him than before. He is a waster and deserves no credit at all. He seems to be proud of what he has been up to in his career. Hate to imagine that I will have contributed to some of his wages.

How can someone go out of his way to give the game as much discredit as he has done. I realise that he won't be the only player who has not acted like an angel but he doesn't have to broadcast it as much as he does.

Yes I have travelled plenty thanks, which is exactly why I think the gang comment is so funny.

Crime happens everywhere but the vast majority of crime in a small lancastrian backwater is nothing like crime in an inner-city. If you think it is then clearly you haven't travelled (and, no, the 10 miles from St Helens to Wigan doesn't qualify as being well travelled).

Nope, I haven't travelled. Just lived in Washington DC, London, Manchester, Sheffield.

Crime is crime, no matter where it happens. Gangs - including violent ones - have always hung out, no matter where. They just haven't listened to rap music until lately.

Hmmm interesting theory. Rap music is the only differentiator eh?

Are you Chris Greyling?

Sportsmen should be dedicated rather than characters, unless they can be both.

I never mentioned Sean Long.

Nope you didn't and that is why I asked the question, given that this is a thread about Long's book (or the report of it in the Gruniad).

Who is Chris Greyling?

Perhaps I should have inserted a smilie but I thought you'd get the tone of it without having to do that.

Which gang rules "da hood" in Wigan? Bloods or Crips?

The Platt Wazz So Solid Crew.

I was making a general point re what I expect from sportsmen.

I have nothing to add about Sean Long, he appears to be making a good enough job of it himself.