2018 - 3rd best defence
2019 - 2nd
2020 - 2nd

Don’t get me wrong. I think we’ve underachieved and with some more creativity attack wise could have two or three more trophies. I just think we shouldn’t think we have a right to be successful and the fact we have challenged every year shouldn’t be discounted.

Remember us winning at Saints in the Regal Trophy under Brian Johnson https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/comp ... mmary.html But Saints then weren't the force they are now, they ended 8th that season (with Sheffield Eagles and Halifax above them) and we almost won the title.

Remember us winning at Saints in the Regal Trophy under Brian Johnson https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/comp ... mmary.html But Saints then weren't the force they are now, they ended 8th that season (with Sheffield Eagles and Halifax above them) and we almost won the title.

Perhaps I should be more balanced and reflect the fact that the Saints teams that Cullen faced were better than the ones Price faced, so perhaps Cullen's team could have beaten them.

I think Cullen, while he came at the most crucial time for the club, came at the wrong time for him personally. The culture in the club had been a holiday camp, and in honesty, we recruited players on the back of that.

Players like Sculthorpe, Harris, Penny, Roper etc. in the early 90’s displayed huge promise, but those that got sucked into the culture never kicked on. They were talented enough on their day, but more often than not cut corners. Supplemented by those on the way out of bigger clubs or overseas imports who were joining for a payday with a good social life, we were on a hiding to nothing.

That was embedded from the mid 90’s (probably earlier) through to Tony Smith having ‘that discussion’ with Briers and Gleeson.

Cullen could get a response from a team, and could get the team to score points, although they lacked that resolve and discipline required to stop the scoreboard ticking at the other end. If he would have followed Smith in, he may have been our Shaun Wane. Who, realistically, followed McGuires blueprint with a local accent.

If it takes 6 games...Price won’t see the 7th.

Indeed, anyone who lived in South Warrington at the time was quite familiar with seeing certain players in Stockton Heath's pubs and wine bars - a little too much.