Many people have already covered why JD is a trinity great
But one of my personal reasons for regarding him so highly is simply that he stayed with us when he could have moved on to a bigger club when he was at his playing height

The offers were there but he remained loyal to us, that is the rarest commodity for wakefield trinity

He is one of a very small number of wakey players that hasn't just left the moment he had a better offer

To add to that, he stayed because "We" needed him, not because "He" needed us.

No - why YOU think he is a great, not everybody does - I will now state I don't and a number of others don't but hey who are we.

'Greatness' and 'legend' and words of that ilk are over-used these days; largely because the young seem intent on distilling the English language down to words of one syllable - they don't even actually say 'legend' any more - just 'lej.' It's totes ridic!

That aside - I guess it's all relative, and it's certainly subjective when applied to a sportsman; it's indisputable however that JD was an honest, hardworking lad who gave of his best in service to our club - he certainly wasn't the best player in the team, but he was probably the best team player. And he did seem to have genuine affection for the club and the City, which he has maintained an interest in ever since. Can't ask for much more really, and for all of that, he deserves respect and admiration - which I think is pretty universal?

I refer you back to my original post on why I think he is a legend

Superbly put.
Represented this club with pride and dignity in very difficult circumstances and still shows interest in our progress after leaving.
A top club captain and a top bloke, deserves every accolade bestowed upon him.
(the only Trinity player in the 2007 dream team)

Players like JD, Kirmo, Gareth Ellis, they are amongst my most respected as they are fine examples of people who have applied themselves to make the very best of their talent. I would choose these ahead of many more who have the talent but have somehow not reached the heights with it.

As someone who has been a fan since 2006, I would have to say that in that time JD is the biggest "legend" we've had (which probably says more about the completely insane turnover of players we've had).

Dunno I think Danny Kirmond has to be getting there, just a shame he hasn't played to his highest level apart from a couple of seasons, but still as a clubman and captain he's been great.

If its from 2006 then in terms of pure talent which is what matters to me (so long as it comes with effort) then Danny Brough blows them all away, pre 2006 Solomona who is the best players I've seen at the club. He turned the club around in 2004 and gave us credibility for the first time since entering SL - he was after all a current NZ International - Ditto Henry Paul but it was a very short stint.

Tell you what, I'll go and write a spreadsheet, to be measured in terms of matches played, skill level, likeability....

I'll still think JD is a legend of recent years and no amount of 'downing' by you will make a jot of difference.

Why are we even having this debate - I don't have to prove anything here and I don't know why you had to be such a killjoy!

Bring in the games, then we can all debate something tangible!

You'er not having a debate with me and who said you had to prove anything, you're welcome to your opinion and you may well be right - but for me he didn't really do it, just a gut feeling don't need a spread sheets.The only person I took umbrage with was Cosmical and his OTT praise of a player who IMHO was not the 'saviour' of the club or 'Captain Marvel' or 'deserves a knighthood', sorry but that's idiotic as no one person ever in the history of W.T.RLFC deserves those title. I'll give you Captain Marvel at a pinch but we've had a few of those'

As I've stated he was a very good signing and if we could have him at Centre now I'd bite your hand off but I happen to think Solomona in particular was more important and Brough because he was hugely gifted and we created him. I am entitled to an opinion it is a forum and it's not as if I don't get shot down often enough for expressing them.

As for likability that's a bit subjective seeing as many of us never met him and I can't imagine him being dumb enough to be anything but polite to fans etc.

One things for sure he evokes much emotion in some - I'll mark it on my very long list of things I shouldn't express on here for fear of upsetting people.

Quote ="Rach"Jason Demetriou will be back in the UK In Feb and is set tobe the Guest of Honour at the launch night of his former Keighley Team , Brendon Rawlins Testimonial Year taking place Feb 16th venue to be announced . If any Wakefield fans are interested in attending please email info@rawlo12.co.uk , or sign up for the email newsletter at www.rawlo12.co.uk , or find us on Facebook and Twitter'" So good as the debate is, it shouldn't be forgetten that the point of the thread was to highlight the fact that he is coming to Keighley Rach has posted a link if you are interested in going.

Quote ="Rach"Jason Demetriou will be back in the UK In Feb and is set tobe the Guest of Honour at the launch night of his former Keighley Team , Brendon Rawlins Testimonial Year taking place Feb 16th venue to be announced . If any Wakefield fans are interested in attending please email info@rawlo12.co.uk , or sign up for the email newsletter at www.rawlo12.co.uk , or find us on Facebook and Twitter'" So good as the debate is, it shouldn't be forgetten that the point of the thread was to highlight the fact that he is coming to Keighley Rach has posted a link if you are interested in going.

Danny Kirmond has only ever looked good when Tim Smith was making it so. Without Tim Smith he has at best looked average

Kirmo hasn't looked fit for 2 seasons, with or without Smith at his side.

L.O.L.

Never heard any Wakefield fan who didn't rate JD , imo legendary status is required for him ,oh sorry...... theres one ?

Really - Danny Brough - How did we make him ? He started as a junior having signed at 15 from Thornhill, played for our academy , never played in first team and signed for dews bury , after that he played for york hull castle ford and after his 2 year stint at trinity went to Huddersfield in 2010. If I remember he actually left with a year left to run on his contract.

So even if you include his academy days he played 12 years for other clubs and all his formative senior years at other teams. Thats before we even start on his well documented problems off the field.

A club legend isnt just about a few big games over a couple of seasons , he actually played for wakefield about 50 or 60 times

If you want to list what a club legend should be
Loyalty ?
Long serving ?
Likeable ? Matter of opinion
Leader on and off the field
Record or high point scoring career at the club ?
Enduring affection for the club


Contrast this to JD - 6 years at the club, played in 188 games, stayed when financially he would have been better served to move on, universally liked and respected (unless you are a miserable git) club captain, who still shows a continuing interest in the wildcats


I ve been watching for over 40 years and last 15 of them potential legends have been few and far between but Neil Fox, Johnny Thompson, nigel bell, probably in the modern era Garerth ellis , who was a junior that came good at the club.

Danny Brough really ?

Brough Left in March and his contract was up at the end of that season and we sold him for an undisclosed fee. If you remember it was due to that deal we got Kirkmond on Loan at the time and Korkidas signed permanently.

Can't believe you(and others) haven't mentioned Toppo in any legends list!

I'm sure I read somewhere that we got £30k for him. Even still it didn't keep the club afloat for long.

It was around £30k, but what that doesn't tell you is how keen he was to go - for some reason he seemed to require a cash injection!

That period just reminds me of all the positivity going in to that year off finishing 5th in 2009.Then signing Tronc and Newton and then suddenly it all started to go tits up for us in one way or the other.

What in gods sorry JDs name are you on about - get over yourself