Wouldn't class Alker as a legend by any stretch of the imagination, but he was the closest thing we've had in the last 10 years. The votes were made on facebook where a lot of a new fans post, so for that reason it's understandable why he's been voted. I liked alker when he played for us don't get me wrong, but people go a little over the top about him. Certain fans cream themselves as soon as his name is mentioned!!!

This hall of fame thing should be put out to all Salford fans, just getting the votes from facebook isn't a true reflection of club legends!

Thats meant as no disrespect to the work the club do on facebook or indeed the people who voted Alker, but I'll put my house on it no one who's watched Salford for more than 25 years or knows about the history of the club would have voted him in.

Anyway I'll still support it tomorrow.

Agreed Ave It! I certainly wasn't around in the Risman or Watkins era but knowing my history of the club I'm obviously aware of the immense contribution both made to our club.

As you say with Alker it could be that for a specific generation he is the closest thing we have had to a Salford legend.

I also don't think you can criticise him for slagging the club in his book, Koukash has done the same thing but has been lauded for it? The club has been a joke for the last 15 years!

Now there's a perfect example of why apparent democracy just doesn't work, by putting something like this out to Facebook it has automatically defined the constituency of voters and just like all those wretched "100 best of ...." shows on TV merely delivered a result from the youngest participents who, through no fault of their own, don't know anything else!



Have you actually read the book?
I think Dr K's critisicism is realistic and fair, Alker's is at best a one-sided view.

I have indeed and I felt it was mostly honest and frank and tied into various other accounts past players have discussed with me. Although don't get me wrong their was definitely some degree of sour grapes given the timing and messy nature of his sacking.

No offence but are you Malcolm's dad??

Is it the case that Malcolm Alker has merely been nominated for a place in the Salford Hall of Fame?

I don't know what constitutes the Hall of Fame. If it is to exist there should be certain criteria laid down. I don't know what those need to be but there is a danger of allowing too many people into it so that it becomes meaningless if the people behind the idea are not careful. Much as I admired Malcolm Alker on the field of play, I think there are several more players worthy of consideration.

From the early days, James Lomas and Gus Risman must have outstanding cases for inclusion. My dad brought me up with tales of Bert Day, Jackie Feetham, Albert Gear, Cliff Evans, Barney Hudson, Emlyn Jenkins, Harold Osbaldestin and Billy Williams. I was lucky enough to see Jackie Brennan, David Watkins, Paul Charlton, Chris Hesketh, Maurice Richards, Keith Fielding, Mike Coulman, Colin Dixon and my all time favourite, Ken Gill.

I would suggest all of the above have very good cases for inclusion.

It would be very good to see part of the Stadium displaying pictures of and information about those who are inducted into the Hall of Fame. I hope it happens.

There are a few issues here for me.

The most important one being if this is a new venture then the fisrt person in should be someone all ages of fans regard as a legend.

The first name in any Salford Hall of Fame should be someone of the stature of Lance Todd.

Alker probably holds a place as a legend for younger fans because unlike some of us they haven't been lucky enough to watch, Fielding, Watkins, Nash, Coulman, Dixon.

Maybe they should select one from each decade.

It would be great to have a walk of fame leading up to the stadium or just in front of the fans bar/shop.

Alker as first name sends the wrong message for me, but I do think he will have a place at some point.

I've thought about this over the past couple of days and sorry Alker shouldn't be the first inductee (if at all).
He has blotted his copy book on this and while he should be universally thanked for his efforts on the pitch I don't think it portrays the right image or message to have an admitted drug taker and off field trouble causer chosen.
I know someone said it tongue in cheek above but does this mean we include Stuart Littler for his years of service? for me not as good a player as Alker but for sure one who could be looked at to be a better nominee and role model type for the next generation of fans.

I think without a doubt David Watkins should be the first pick, great servant to the club, decent guy off the pitch and still with a love of Salford running through him. Pick him, get him down to a game and make a massive song and dance about it.

Damn, what gave it away?

Fact is since I've been supporting Salford (early 1990's) the only player that comes close to legend status is Alker, as much as I wish I had witnessed the likes of Watkins, Fielding, Gill, Charlton etc in the 70's I didn't.

The term Legend is banded about too freely when talking about sports people.
Alker for all the hype about him was a hard working hooker nothing more nothing less.
Aaron Moule, Andrew Dunneman Gavin Clinch are just three players from recent history who in their short time at the club had a much more profound effect than Alker ever did.
If Alker is the only Player people can think of to nominate as a Legend from recent times then it goes to show just how $hite we have been.

Wow, I can't help but massively disagree with that very harsh statement. Dont get me wrong Dunneman and Cinch inparticularly did have a big influential effect but to suggest more so than Alker? You'll be telling me Kevin McGuiness deserves it more next!

With regards to your final comment I think that has a lot to do with it. Alker played in probably some of our worst teams ever, nobody else even comes close. Infact the only player I can think of (and i am scraping the barrel) is Andy Coley and his final season with us was a joke.

Ps - I'm starting to sound like Alkers number one fan here...

No,that was 3 pages back!

Reasons for Alker NOT to be in the Hall of Fame:
1. Jacksonville
2. Book
3. Assistant coach
4. Only a good player in some poor teams.

Another reason is that if the voting, as it appears to be, took place on Facebook it excluded a great number of people. Unless we live in a dictatorship then let there be a democratic process.If the Good Doctor reads the Turkey Forum I would hope he will stop this embarrassment for the club.

How can you seriously honour a player in the clubs 'Hall of Fame' that has openly admitted taking recreational and performance enhancing drugs during his career? What message or example does that give to any young aspiring rugby player?

First point
yes, he kept us up


Second
Why did he never move then ? People say loyalty I would say more like he was made to look the main man in some very poor teams
Third
No Cavendish Street Beats you to that

Is it only me that is really not bothered too much about the whole Hall of Fame thing?

It's not like it has a great deal of bearing on anything. It's a nice bit of fun. Whether Alker deserves it or not...pfff. Not fussed right at this moment in time. Fwiw, I think Alker was solid, loyal and gave everything. He's not quite the legend, with regards to what I'd call a legend, that some feel he is. If he's inducted, fine. I'm more interested to know what's happening now with the Club not romantic memories of bygone days.

In my time as a Salford fan (since 199icon_cool.gif, I wouldn't even say Alker is the biggest legend or most deserving of the Hall of Fame from the past 15 years. I'd say maybe Littler, although not of the calibre of some of the players from the 70s, I'm not lucky enough to have ever seen them.

I wonder if the club would Honour Ian Blease for what he did for the club?

No. You can split people down the middle on their feelings about sports heritage and such. John Wilkinson wasn't bothered either; he was all about the now and the future. The short-lived Salford RLFC exhibition near The Trafford Centre was largely cobbled together by others. Indeed, rugby league was notorious for a long time for not archiving the game's history. Unsurprising considering the social standing and political beliefs of those people involved in the early decades. I think we see echoes of this today in how there seems to be constant feeling or need to reform the game.



When it gets down to brass tacks it doesn't. But I think it's more than a bit of fun. In fact, celebrating the club's history aside, it could be a decent money spinner.

I know where you're coming from, Chico. I also agree with all your points. History plays a big part in our game and it needs an outlet, and it's good that the Club are recognising our heritage. My point I suppose was that the Hall of Fame created more debate than nearly any other subject and it has no bearing on what is going on at the Club. I realise people are passionate about it, but can you really trust the judgement of fans on it when the same people are lauding Bobby Goulding as the next Salford Messiah?

Mal alker is a great 1 clubman , by dint of his longevity & appearances , but then so is Paul Highton

Whether you would class him as a Salford ' Great ' or worthy of inclusion in some type of hall of fame is another matter . it so subjective .
As it's subjective , I'd put Peter Edwards ahead of Alker in the Hooker position , and it wasn't really Edwards chosen position .

Some players only appeared for a short time for Salford , but .' Burned Brightly '
Ken Gill , Neil Baker , Paul Shaw for example , Garry Jack even

Don't wish to get too bogged down in semantics but you can make a tenuous distinction between a great and a legend. A great is self-explanatory but subjective. A legend doesn't have to be a great but can be remembered decades later, whose story is romanticised while less people remember him as time goes on.

In that case King of the Shed will be delighted to see a certain Mr N.Baker inducted anytime soon then.



..... and to prove your point I was listening to Brad Fittler's commentary just last season whilst sat on the hill at centrebet stadium, where he said [i"I used to come here to eat hot dogs and see girls "Rabs" (Ray Warren) and watch a Neil Baker kick, hot dogs and girls" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!![/i

And David Highton.

I guess while we are in 'limbo' waiting for the new coach to be announced this is a reasonable distraction.

Fwiw, my choices are: David Watkins, Paul Charlton and Chris Hesketh.