welcome home steve
goood to have u back

I actually think it's mischievous to try and imply that Hampo may have been appointed as part of a 'jobs for the boys' scam. Even if it's something as superficially innocent as "I hope it's not a case of ...", the seed of doubt has been planted.

Yet where's the evidence for this? There isn't any.

Is Mike Maguire a Wiganer? No. Is Mick Hogan a Wiganer? No.

Even those who are from Wigan - as I said in a previous post - all have respectable track-records in the game. IL may well want to see lots of Wiganers around the place to try and refuel the "this is Wigan" atmosphere, but thus far there are no real questionmarks against those he's given jobs to.

Why would he even have a 'jobs for the boys' policy? Is he Hampo's best mate, or something? I'd say it was distinctly unlikely.

To be honest, I don't know why I'm even bothering with this post. Apart from anything else, there are so many well qualified Wiganers knocking around in RL that you'd be hard put to give someone a job somewhere who hadn't originated from the club.

But even if that wasn't the case, to find a few posters who are now casting doubt on appointments purely because the men in question come from Wigan is truly mind-blowing. What are these guys saying - that from this point on we can't appoint Wiganers because it'll be suspicious? Good grief.

I'm quite sure some of these fellas get up on Monday morning and complain all day that it isn't Friday.

[size=200Welcome back...!!![/size

I agree, although I don't think Hampson is a Wiganer.

He was, of course, one of Wigan's best ever players, in my opinion.

In my lifetime alone, we've been blessed with superb full backs at Wigan. Fairbairn was the ultimate one-on-one defender, Hampo the ultimate fielder, Rads the ultimate counter-attacker. And where would you put Botica and Henry Paul, other than to call them ultimate all-rounders, both of whom could kick goals a bit ... ?

We'll be very lucky if we see the likes of any of these in cherry and white again.

Tell you what- nevermind, I really can't be bothered.

I always thought Joe Lydon was better at fullback than at winger as well.

What about that young lad we signed from Gold Coast the other year? He was a cracking fullback



If Phelps aint the best fullback in superleague by the end of the season there's something wrong. He has the ear of Hampo and Rads the 2 of the best fullbacks Wigan/GB have ever had.

Do you reckon Hampson can have a testimonial now?

You'd better ask Jack Robinson.

You don't



Back on topic you can't reeally get excited or upset about these appointments. Think it just confirms that although the junior set up is extremely important it is still essentially a part time competition, part time coaches for part time players.

I didn't name you, but hey - if the cap fits.

Comical.

One of the most despicable things the club could ever do to a player like Hampo. A quality player who never gave anything less than 100% for Wigan.

And the reason Dave Whelan reigned his position as "president" (or some title like that) of Wigan RLFC.

And implying that we shouldn't utilise highly qualified ex-Wigan players because it's "jobs for the boys" isn't?

Who implied that? I implied nothing. I can see you are not a libel lawyer.

Thankfully this isn't a court, where people can get away with it on technicalities. So you aren't going to either.

"Great to see local coaches (and ex-players) at the club. [uWe must hope that this it is coincidental and not "jobs for the boys[/u". "

That's a pretty clear implication that employing local players and coaches could be deemed "jobs for the boys".

No it isn't.

The point I am making is that I hope that the coaching staff have been appointed on merit, and not simply as a short term measure to appease the fans.

However, I am glad that you have reversed your nonsense statement about your reply "not being directed at me".

A good source told me Hampson was alledgedly promised work with Wigan by Brian Noble, but Noble apparently went back on his word.

To find a 'might be' negative of this sort, when it's plainly obvious that

a) the coaching set-up needed drastic reconstruction

b) the 'this is Wigan' ethos needed to be restored

can only be the work of a mentality hell-bent on finding flaws.

Enough said.

He was ,I was stood with Hampo and Noble , when Noble confirmed this to him.

Terry, is that you?

That he would or wouldnt be working with us?

Hampson being back is good (for Phelps if nothing else), as is the fact IL is spending plenty on back room staff, this built on the systems and talent we already have should see us be a force at every level consistently in the years ahead.

Hopefully we have the right people in place.