started in 1980 and 1st challenge cup disaster was the 1982 crossbar semi.

The last crop of home grown players were fading out. good moments from John Holmes, Kevin Dick , David Ward, Dyl ,Smith and Atki, Dave Heron but not enough and we seem to have waited a generation for such a crop to appear again.

In between how many failed at being the next john holmes or wardy.

David Creasser was prob the best but suffered with his shoulder.

Overseas players seem to have stayed longer this decade too. So many in the 80s were here for the off season. One year think 85 had nearly full team of queenslanders that left b4 the last month of the season. Think only webby stuck around for any length of time in the 80s though was he too hammered to get home.

We have had our fair share of poor over seas signings recently (O'neil, cross)
But we have had some good signings (Donald,Ali,Webb,buderus,kylie)

Didn't Mike O'Neill play on the wing in that game?

Bailey's next move?

How have I missed this thread ? It's like a who's who of Southstander posters through the years, and their memories both good and bad. I like these threads as the remind me of how bad things were from the period of starting to watch Leeds (1982), and how greatful I am that the group of players we have now as lavished us with such amazing victories in Grand Finals.

I'm the same as some others on here, the 84 JP Trophy, 88 Yorkshire Cup, and 99 CC Cup was as good as it got. I was at Central Park on that foggy day we got hammered by Widnes. Stuart Spruce was sat in front of me on the old wooden seats at Central Park and I accidently kicked him up the backside........I was only a young lad and I thought he was going to kill me !!!.....Was at Elland Road for the 24-24 HKR match, and the 0-17 replay, that was following on from the 10-10 draw with Widnes, and the 5-0 replay victory ! Ahhhh the memories, ET's chip v Widnes gobbled up by Rick Thackray (I think)..........Rex Terp, what a full back......Carl Gibson's step..........Roy Powell nearly swallowing his tongue v Widnes, Eric Grothe, all those Aussies, Peter Tunks, winning away at Cas in the play offs thanks to Schoeys last minute try............there must be a million and one memories for us all to write about, and no matter how good or bad they were they will always be in my heart as part of Leeds RLFC, and now Leeds Rhinos, however, there is no getting away from the fact that the last 9 seasons have been the most amazing fabulous times I have ever seen. Victories I would have never imagined, I don't think I've been into a Grand Final ever where I was confident we would win, however, shame on me for doubting the guys in the trenches..............simply the best team SL has ever seen..........in my humble opinion.

Think I might toast the lads with a little whisky after that !!!

And giving a big thumbs up as he was stretchered off, to a Southstand chorus of 'Bruno'.

Just another couple of golden memories from me - Hanley's try where he seemed to take the whole Hull pack over with him, Fordy's tackle on Offiah, Iro's debut and Jon Davies grinning and shrugging at the southstand after being brushed off for the second time in the lead up to Iro tries, Holroyd getting a brace on his debut (one with only one boot on), the sunwin challenge where you could win a car if you could kick a ball through a hole the size of a tennis ball, dog on the pitch at the Watersheddings...

I was on the tv that v Widnes at Headingley when Roy Powell did that. It was on scrumdown and there was that massive fight that nearly fell into the southstand.

The RT semi final v salford - I seem to remember Mike o'Neill either scoring a great try or making a long break that was finished off by someone else.

Another 1 I can remember is .... Steve Pitchford scoring at Odsal... Bursting 30 yards to score, though over the years my memory has probably warped the length and it could have been anywhere between 20 (yards in them days) and the half way line...

Ah, the 'Double Header" .... Watching Leeds beat Salford in the afternoon, then legging it to Bootham Crescent to watch Tranmere play York City in the FA Cup in what was then a rare Saturday evening game.

That VP semi was one of Divorty's few really good games for us, wasn't it?

I seem to remember him sliding off the wet surface into the advertising boards at some pace. That pitch was far too small for RL.

My first game @ 12 years old was a league match v Fev Rovers 1964.

Sneaked in through the fencing on the ginnel behind the west stand and sat in front of the wicket fence behind the try line.

Shoey scored a late try under the posts to seal a victory and I was hooked

First big final was the 68 Watersplash final

on the Wally Arnolds coach with nearly the whole class from school.

Spent the most of the seventies till 1977 playing the game at amateur level with 2 years at Headingley in the Leeds U19`s Intermediates under coach Alan Horsfall but couldnt quite get a pro contract.

Honeymoon in London 1978 to watch the CC Final.

80`s and 90`s had a season ticket and went home and away till the advent of SL then moved into coaching and helping run an amatuer team for 12 years.

This past 6 years have been the best in terms of trophy success

This is THE team.

This is the team that will be referred to in the history books. This is the team that has had unprecedented success. This is the team that all others will be measured against.

In a few of decades from now we will be saying “…yes but they’re not as good as the team at the turn of the century.”

No matter how good or great you think teams of the past have been they will never compare to what we have right now. There will be no team in the future that will replicate this success.

This team is the Mohamed Ali of boxing, the Ian Botham of cricket, the Pele of football and there will never be another like it.

Just take a minute to think about how lucky we are right now, to see this happen right in front of us. To be able to say “I was there”.

Feel thankful, feel proud but must of all feel fortunate, for what we have right now comes once in forever.

Well said and here here!

My first game was 1990 against Northern. Used to stand in the old paddock, or on the Eastern terrace.

First final was Regal Trophy v Widnes. 1993? Memory like a seive. It took several years of counselling before I could even talk about it. First "major" final was the 1994 CC final. The first of my 8 Challenge Cup Final Losing Streak having missed '99. How many people can say they've seen their side lose a Challenge Cup final in 4 stadiums (if you count old and new Wembley as different, which I do) without any of them being replays?

Given those time frames, the debate about the best side/era I've seen is barely worth having.

It occurred to me that, inevitably, one day there are going to be a spell of 2 or more years without a championship again. Then we'll be all, like "WTF. Where's our trophy gone?"

True story.

Liking the new banner, very well done!

Love the new banner, those stars are looking mighty impressive.

Starry, starry banner. Good stuff.

Its going to take an awful long time for anyclub to emulate this period,if ever,and don't they know it?6stars and still counting.

Airlie Birds fan here. must say this is one of the best threads I've ever read. Memories, passion and a bit of heartache thrown in for good measure amongst the glories of the recent years you happily recount. For me, a Boulevarder since 65 and a traditionalist who can remember Seabourne, Shoebottom, Bev Risman et al, I really feel something from the words you share with us all. Well done you have a champion team. Enjoy it.

Of course, as you would expect, none of this will count the next time we meet lol

Why have I not got the new banner on my laptop, but I have on my phone???????

Try refreshing the page RR =F5!!

Cheers rhinoms

great new banner

Nice new banner...

.. just a shame RLFANS stick an equally big advert directly below it. I think there are enough adverts on this site already that they could avoid putting on there to be honest