Of the same lot, Nathan McAvoy. Say what you will about him being a journeyman and unspectacular, but he never had a bad game for Wigan, and he tightened our defence up no end.

Mike Cassidy

came into a team full of superstars as a kid and ended up being the best forward on the field
the guy was a 80 minute tackling machine, and ive not seen anyone since to match him.
he could also do a bit carrying the ball as well.

Although he had played for East's in Aus, and over here for Leeds and Carlisle, 'Mean' Dean Bell's arrival wasn't as heralded as Brett Kenny, Steve Ella and Greg Dowling's but he turned out to be one of the best signings we made, a fantastic captain and leader, Man of Steel winner, Lance Todd winner, great player.

Nick du Toit - came over as an unknown from SA - apparently recommended to wigan by Ray Mordt (who eventually signed a few years later).

Great aggressive 2nd row - loved nothing more than to flatten the opposition in both attack and defence.

One of my favourite players at the time.

I can't really remember what I expected of Inga when we signed him but after seeing him early doors I wasn't expecting miracles from him.

He then worked on his fitness and turned out to be a dream signing for us. What a player and what a joy to watch.

Ex new zealand captain seemingly ending is playing days in France..didnt think we should have been signing over the hill props.

Anything but over the hill as it turned out and Quentin Pongia became one of my favs of the last decade.

Nick Graham, ginger haired loaner from the land down under

Recently:
Gerome Guisett. I was expecting nothing from him. In fact I was very disappointed when we signed him. He wasn't the best prop we ever had but he wasn't a bad'un in Wigan colours.

Past:
Sam Panapa. Played in every position bar prop and never let us down in any. A great player and a real gent.

Tuigamala for me.

I must admit i am not the most Knowlagible about RU and watching his first few attempts at league i feared the worst. he was just so unfit and seemed unable to progress with the ball in hand.

we all know what happened next

one of my all time fave players and possibly one of the most pleasant, polite, welcoming people you could ever hope to meet. Not to mention the fact that he did a lot to sort out a few of our other stars attiutudes

For me Twiggy is a wigan legend

Good call.

He had no pace and wasn't the biggest but he had a good rugby league brain and played a good role for Wigan in his stint with us.

I seem to remember him having a blinder at Odsal against Bradford where he scored 2 trys.

Sam Panapa or more recently Craig Smith who had a bit of a reputation in the NRL but came and put his heart and soul into every game I saw him in. Met them both and both top blokes.

was a shame we couldn't get him for the following season, he was better than one or two that where knocking around at the same time

matin hall . came from rochdale as cover for dermott, but ended up a first team regular

Ian Gildart. I had pee next to him at Central Park when I was a kid and nearly crapped meself at how tall he was!

he couldnt burst out of a wet paper bag though

For me it's got to be Frano Botica. I think it must be a reflection on my lack of knowledge of Union but when I was told we'd signed him i thought "who?" as I'd never heard of him. I soon realised that he was an ex All Black but I still wasn't too impressed but he proved me wrong in spades. One of our better players in that era (and there were loads of really good players as well). He made the game, and goalkicking, look effortless.

As well as him I would also throw Bill Francis, Peter Rowe, and Jimmy Nulty into the hat, which I'm afraid sort of gives my age away.

Yeah fair point but I must only have been 7 or 8 at the time

Peter Endy Rowe

, what about David Willicombe, he was class.

David Willicombe is one of the most underrated players in Wigan history. Most fans now have forgotten him, but if he was playing today he'd be a firm favourite. A proper centre, who could score tries himself from distance, knew how to put his winger away and was strong defensively.

What a shame his career coincided with one of the worst Wigan teams in living memory.

If memory serves, he suffered two severe broken arms, one after another, and his playing days ended prematurely.

we gave 30k for a little known winger playing for rochdale hornets, henderson gill, the rest is history, great player and a great character, no wigan fan will ever forget the smile at wembley after going the length of the pitch.

the other one for me is billy mcginty, wasn't really regarded as a top player when we bought him, but proved to be a great signing.

My lad plays rugby with his grandson.

Signed by Maurice L etc behind the back of Maurice Bamford, that's what lead to Lindsey + Robinson etc making the signings from then on. Hard to imagine the same magic touch for signings produced some of the turkeys we had later on.

Remember the song Rogues?

Peter rowe the boat ashore, Hallelujah!



PS

Dave Willicombe! My 1st real Rugby Hero!
Once saw him in Kwik Save and ran 2 miles home just to tell Mi Grandad I'd just seen him pushing a trolley round!

andre stoop

Is that something to do with the after effect of sleeping with Jordan?