The problem with the 5m rule is that defences are so much better now. You'd end up going 30m backwards every set or just camped on your goal line until you kick it (like Union).

I do think the defence not going back a far, maybe 8m, allowing shoulder charge and striking at the play the ball would add that old school trait that we don't have anymore. I'd also have fewer substitutions but allow more subs on the bench.

We have become far too sterile

Walking past the changing rooms at Central Park on a winters day and smelling the wintergreen. Just about getting to our seats on the ringside as the players came out of the tunnel. On the ringside being so close to some of the icons of our game, Boston, Bevan, Vollenhoven etc etc.
But most of all sitting with mam and dad on those seats, you don't realise at the time how precious those times are, but those memories can never be taken away.

entry of the gladiators

(I think that is what is was called), as the team came out - standing on the terraces boxing day v Saints

Do you remember the days when games used to finish around 9.30 as opposed to the now commonplace 9.45?

March of the Gladiators.

Braa ba baba daba da ba baaa baa

Quote ="Pie Eyed"March of the Gladiators. Braa ba baba daba da ba baaa baa'" Had not thought of this in ages, so needed to go and listen to it straight away. Always disappointing that the hooter doesn't sound about a minute in. Whilst being a pedant and checking the name of the song, I saw this on the wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entrance_ ... Gladiators Quote Between 1950 and 1970, on match days the English rugby league team St Helens would take to the field at their then home stadium of Knowsley Road while Entrance of the Gladiators was played over the PA system.'" Is that true? If so, who used it first, sports teams or circus clowns?

Quote ="Pie Eyed"March of the Gladiators. Braa ba baba daba da ba baaa baa'" Had not thought of this in ages, so needed to go and listen to it straight away. Always disappointing that the hooter doesn't sound about a minute in. Whilst being a pedant and checking the name of the song, I saw this on the wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entrance_ ... Gladiators Quote Between 1950 and 1970, on match days the English rugby league team St Helens would take to the field at their then home stadium of Knowsley Road while Entrance of the Gladiators was played over the PA system.'" Is that true? If so, who used it first, sports teams or circus clowns?

Yes, that club used to belong to Triplex, a subsidiary of Pilks. Another local landmark which has now gone and been replaced by a Sainsbury's and a housing estate, which is sad.

It's one of the things that I still love about our sport, that fans of all clubs can mix together before and after the game. I'm not as keen on the newer grounds which have segregated sections for away fans.

Also, Saints did temporarily bring back the March of the Gladiators music before they used to run out for a very brief spell in late 2000's at Knowsley Road.

Wigan play "Entrance of the Gladiators" before the past players Game, or whatever it's called.

Quote ="Pie Eyed"March of the Gladiators. Braa ba baba daba da ba baaa baa'" No,it was the Entry of the Gladiators. They used to play it at Hilton Park as well in the 50's/60's. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_B0CyOAO8y0

Quote ="Pie Eyed"March of the Gladiators. Braa ba baba daba da ba baaa baa'" No,it was the Entry of the Gladiators. They used to play it at Hilton Park as well in the 50's/60's. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_B0CyOAO8y0

Which ground used to play the Steptoe theme tune as the opposition ran out? Always made me laugh did that.

I remember one of the London incarnations playing Yakkety Sax, aka the Benny Hill tune, wen we entered the field. Maybe it was them?

Geoff that was my favourite team when I first started going to Central Park although Jackie Cunliffe was there before Griffiths, so many memories, tell you what I don't miss and that's going to Watersheddings or Crown Flatt Dewsbury on a cold wet winters day, by god they were cold stadiums,

Whenever fans say they would go back to winter RL my bones remind me of Oldham

Does anybody remember the original version of this? It's my link so no issues sharing it! https://youtu.be/gG4tEFwZrwo

Does anybody remember the original version of this? It's my link so no issues sharing it! https://youtu.be/gG4tEFwZrwo

Of course, John Martin on Rhino Records IIRC.