www.rlfans.com/index.php?fid=43&id=44

www.rlfans.com/index.php?fid=43&id=44

When I heard about this the first thing that came to mind was Martin Offiah's length of the field try against Leeds in 1994. This is what I wanted to see cast in bronze outside Wembley;


However I realised the problem as soon as I mentioned it to a Leigh supporting friend. His immediate reaction was, 'only cos he was playing for Wigan'. Rugby league is far too tribal for any modern day player to be chosen so how about this for an idea. The first player to lift the famous cup at Wembley was the Wigan captain of 1929. Even though it's still a Wigan player I think enough time has passed for him to be the subject of the statue, ideally holding the Challenge Cup aloft.

I would think it's going to come down to the club with the most active internet users, Leeds or Wigan at a guess.

Offiah with head in hands after going the length, and skinning Alan Tait.

Why not have a few players? Like the statue at Man United

36 GB Caps (Captain for the team and was voted the Best Rugby League player of all time to play for Great Britain), 5 Clubs (Bradford, Wigan, Balmain, West Sydney & Leeds) having coached 2 clubs (Doncaster and Saints).

"From receiving an MBE from The Queen for his services to the game, to being inducted into the Rugby League Hall of Fame, Ellery's many milestones achievements and medals represent almost every honour in the game."
- Leeds Rhinos Website.

Ellery Hanley MBE is Mr Rugby League:

Edwards or Gregory for me

Billy Boston? Shaun Edwards? Andy Gregory?

Has to be Hanley

Malcolm Reilly .
Played in and won nrl grand finals and cc cup finals ,
also won both as a coach.

Has anyone else achieved this ??

Shortlist was today announced. www.rlfans.com/index.php?fid=43&id=95

Shortlist was today announced. www.rlfans.com/index.php?fid=43&id=95

Not too happy with that list. Too many players of the recent era, when British RL has been alot weaker than it was.

I can see it being Lance Todd - it would tie in nicely with the MOM Award.

Personally, I'd prefer something more evocative of the sport and its Wembley connection. In other words, rather than one man say Vince Karalius being chaired on his teammates shoulders whilst holding the CHALLENGE CUP aloft. Preferably, as captain of Widnes but I suppose it could be for Saints. Could then slip Alex in too. In fact, Murphy and his minder Karalius together would be great.

Jonathan Davies would be awaful. With due respect he had a few good seasons but was not a great. Yes, he scored a try at Wembely (because Mullins was out of position, having niggled at the previous tackle) but RL and Wembley are all to do with the Challenge Cup.

Edwards is now in the Union camp.

Has to be one of the slightly older stagers for me.

This may be a biased viewpoint but surely with all Wigan's success at Wembley, a Wigan player should be selected.

I did think about adding that. Boston or Offiah perhaps? Deal Bell - he's not British though.

Boston would be my choice but I'd like to see a few players involved. Maybe Boston with Offiah etc

Anyone notice that Offiah was missing from the official voting form in the proggy?



The myopic Pie fans claim it should be a Wigan player, but then they would as we know they think Wigan = Rugby League. Rubbish, of course. It should be a player who has performed great deeds for club and for country at the stadium.

Hanley played for Wigan and for Leeds there, but more importantly he captained GB to success there over the Australians and then four years later coached GB to success there over the Australians. It has to be him.

Clive Sullivan or Lance Todd.
Should it be a player synonymous with rugby league & not just wembley.
My shout is for Sully; From his humble background, needing operations as a teen on his feet, knees & shoulders, coming back to play after a near death car crash at 20 (to start playing only 3 months later) scoring 406 tries in 639 appearances for both Hull Clubs, Great Britain & Wales (including cpataining both) plus winning numerous trophies including 2 challenge cups (the last at 39 years of age)
He was the first black sporting person to captain a UK national side, received the MBE and was an all round bloody decent fella with not a bad word to say about anyone. He stayed with Hull FC at a time when we were average to say the least and could easily have gone elsewhere but didn't until leaving after 13 seasons to join Hull KR before returning for a few last appearances in 1982 after a stint at Oldham.

I only met him once, he was standing at the side of a footy field watching his son Anthony play soccer against my school around 1981, I wandered round to say hello & meekly asked him for his autograph which he kindly gave (I didn't have it as he'd been at Rovers when I first starting watching FC & he was at Oldham at the time I think)
I still remember him in his expensive 3/4 length coat even now

Sgt. Major Eric Clay?

Fans of every club are biased to their own team. But obviously Wiganers are the most biased as we are the penultimate cheats and are 27378616 million over the salary cap.

Seriously though, I think you're right about Hanley.

Now you're finally getting the picture. But penultimate cheats...? There is no-one worse




Had Hanley not had honest spells at Bradford, Leeds and Balmain his reputation would probably be too tarnished to go on this statue. Thankfully he had those periods of redemption and has earned the spot

Yep he obviously realised that he wouldn't get a statue unless he went somewhere else for a bit!

should be boston or hanley for me. edwards is rugby union and having him would be a kick in nuts even tho he was a great player and played at wembley when he was 17

Golden Boot Winner, 3 x MOS winner, Lance Todd Trophy winner, World Club Championship winner, 4 Challenge Cup winners medals, 3 Championships, 1 Premiership, 4 John Player Trophy Winners medals and 4 Lancashire Cup winners medals, 34 caps for GB plus an M.B.E there can only be one candidate I'm afraid -

The great Ellery Hanley.

Keith Elwell. Look at his entry in the Widnes Hall of Fame - see penulitmate paragraph: widnesvikings.org.uk/fansite/hall-of-fame.html Let alone the medals, 239 consecutive appearances (without missing for injury etc) at a time when Widnes were often playing 3 games a week (and IIRC 4 in 8 days once) at the business end of the season. Inch for inch the toughest player ever?

Keith Elwell. Look at his entry in the Widnes Hall of Fame - see penulitmate paragraph: widnesvikings.org.uk/fansite/hall-of-fame.html Let alone the medals, 239 consecutive appearances (without missing for injury etc) at a time when Widnes were often playing 3 games a week (and IIRC 4 in 8 days once) at the business end of the season. Inch for inch the toughest player ever?