i need to start a new thread cause my nerves are in bits re gateshead situation.

my idea of a truly hard rugby league player is not an hatchett man or a short fused brawler but more like someone who did the hard yards and never took a backward step.

for that reason my two would be dennis boyd and jeff clarke.

my dad says charlie pausey and stan owen from his days.

what do others think

Peter Smethurst comes immediately to mind.

Fits you definition perfectly. Very tough but not dirty

Smethurst for me, Timmy Street from the 'new era' but to be honest no-one who plays RL can be called 'soft'

I always thought Kenny Green for his size was a hard player.

Jeff Clarke is a good one from living memory, whilst Tony Cotteril is also up there for me.

Des.

Dave Hill

Andy Collier, Derek Pyke

Andy Hobson. Never took a backward step

Quote ="soldiers field"i need to start a new thread cause my nerves are in bits re gateshead situation. my idea of a truly hard rugby league player is not an hatchett man or a short fused brawler but more like someone who did the hard yards and never took a backward step. for that reason my two would be dennis boyd and jeff clarke. my dad says charlie pausey and stan owen from his days. what do others think'" Try this: www.eraofthebiff.com/p-110.html This is a very good website with some great stories and match reports

Quote ="soldiers field"i need to start a new thread cause my nerves are in bits re gateshead situation. my idea of a truly hard rugby league player is not an hatchett man or a short fused brawler but more like someone who did the hard yards and never took a backward step. for that reason my two would be dennis boyd and jeff clarke. my dad says charlie pausey and stan owen from his days. what do others think'" Try this: www.eraofthebiff.com/p-110.html This is a very good website with some great stories and match reports

Owen and Pausey from the owder days.
Smethurst, Clarkson and Grimes
Des, Boyd and Woody

but as Fred says no soft lad runs out on any RL pitch

been watching Leigh since 1949 there have been lots of hard men wearing the Leigh shirt bur for me the winner is Stan Owen frightened of no man was Stan, but definitely scared of Joan (his Mrs)

Can't comment on anyone pre 1980 but since then Tim Street has to be up there. Never took a backward step and later in his career when he had learned to control his temper he was awesome at winding the opposition up then knocking 'em down. God, what would we give for another Tim Street right now.

Totally agree with that GKR, he was a battering ram that wore his heart on his sleeve and always gave his all....(sometimes a bit too much

).

I am sure there are others who can equal/better him but from my memory Timmy gets the vote.

Knew Joan very well as she used to work at Leigh Nick , very scary lady unless she liked you and thank gawd she liked me

even the police dogs walked in fear of Joan

Never saw Pawsey play for Leigh however, my Dads generation said he was the hardest! For me it has got to be Stan Owen.
Honourable mentions to; Dennis Boyd, Joe Walsh, Paul Grimes, Tony Cottrell, Des Drummond and anyone who goes on a Rugby Pitch!!

If you want to know who the players thought was the hardest player to play against (not just Leigh but every team)it was Des Drummond I know I`ve asked plenty of players from several differant teams.

Especially mark Preston

I was always very polite to her

and so was Stan.

When we used to go in Bond st catholic club Stan and Joan were always in gentleman is Stan, wouldnt like to get on the wrong side of Joan though

john basnett the widnes winger did not play for 6 months after a dessie special

been told alf wilkinson has to be in the top 5 but he was way before my time

Joan knew her rugby too.

He'd never be on the pitch these days, did he ever play without his nose busted?