From what Ian Millward said once in an article in the trade press, the problem was solely between him and McManus.


Ditto for Royce Simmons.

The problem was Millward had gone completely off the rails.

Is that fact or supposition? And if it is fact, what exactly does 'off the rails' mean? Just asking as I don't know on either count.

Again, is that fact or supposition?

The fact he didn't continue with his unfair dismissal claim suggest he didn't have much of a fight.

Well, I [icould [/isay it's a fact. And you [icould [/isay it's unsubstantiated without me spelling it out, in an open, public forum, in a country with some of the most draconian freedom of speech laws in the world.

I am sure we can safely assume that I ask within the context of an Internet forum, ie not silly gossip mongering but rather a claim that could be substantiated objectively by a third party given the appropriate circumstances.

I really have no idea what happened, which is why I am asking, because I didn't follow Saints at that time. I watched some matches on TV and heard my family go on and on about it but that's it.

Under British law the truth is no defence.

Surely Millwards downfall was swearing at the Warrington press officer. In the end it was the thin end of a wedge that had built over time. Read Scully's book, he told him to his face that he did not like the way he treated some of our kids.

Millwards is the most successful Saints coach, I also think sacking him when we did was a mistake. For me if the club had just quitely built a case with no suspension, then I think we would have got at least one more trophy that year. We where top of the league, in the semi of the cup and going great. I'm not against the sacking, just the timing. No-one not even our best ever coach is above the club or the chairman.

But Millward was certainly not sacked for results, unless you can be sacked for having results that were too good.

What a brilliant performance from Jon Wilkin tonight. Great lines, great leadership and great kicking.

Think his priorities were on the field tonight

You cannot put off sacking somebody because the timing is not right, and I dont think you can just sack a coach for non-results related matters you must first suspend.

Well, he certainly had his priorities straight tonight. Excellent performance. Let's hope this kick starts his season.

Great lines

The usual reference to wilkin



Being serious tho, he had pretty good game tonight and worked hard.

Makes a feckin change.

Millward coached Saints between 2000 - 2005 and won 2 SL titles, 2 Challenge Cups and 1 WCC.

Anderson coached Saints 2005 - 2008 and won 1 SL title, 3 Challenge Cups, 1 WCC and 4 League Leaders shields.

Anderson won more silverware in a shorter period so surely that makes him our most successful coach and proves the sacking of Millward was correct??

But as we've said, Millward's sacking was because of [ioff the field[/i issues. Verbal abuse of a member of the press was the final straw, I guess it went down as gross misconduct, as there was no suspension period (from what I recall).

I did not argue that the sacking was wrong, but the timing really disrupted our season, hence knocking off another possible GF and CC from the clubs records. Also Millward could not win anything in 2005 he was sacked.

When counting league leaders shields Millward had 1 and a half. Anderson 3 and half. 2005 split.

We can all bend stats to suit our own agenda, but I'd argue that Millward was more successful, but its the difference between very successful and very successful.

Although Millward was a very successful coach, and his stewardship has left me with some of my greatest sporting memories, I think his time was starting to come to an end by the time he left.

Another massive performance from Wilkin in the post Royce regime. Obviously back in his best role and having a massive influence. Nice to see Rushy name him as one of the senior players who is looking after the young lads as well.

Mugwump? SaintsFan?

I was impressed with wilkin last night.

Wilkin put in loads of massive performances last season too - said many times on here - and that's why his early season bad attitude was noticeable.

I agree and went as far to say that wilkin was the best backrow in super league last year.

Wilkin suites the little plays around the rucks with the little short passes and off loads as he's good good hands.

Yep. He and Roby had that going well at times last season. Remember the first playoff against Wigan? Some of the stuff we played in that game alone was great to watch. We pulled Wigan all over the place.

Being asked to play a different role doesn't = bad attitude.