Is he here yet?

Simple Answer, NO.

Why?

I think he'll go really well for you.

Just feel that the potential cons outweigh the potential pro's mate:

Potential pro's:

Increased crowds (undeniably he's a big draw in RL terms)
A world-class forward
Positive influence on other players


Potential cons:

Constant headache for staff and fans e.g. his attitude
Unpleasant 'incidents' that he might get into
Past his peak
30 years old
Huge wages
Bad influence on other players
Upsetting the current great morale at the club
Constant bans due to his style of play

Hope I'm wrong like.

With the greatest of repect Roofs most of the Cons you have listed can have been applied to a certain MR Smith when he was with us and you are his biggest fan.

For me when you weigh up pros and cons you need to also think of the liklihood of them becoming reality for them to be true.

The 3 pros you've listed are 100% true. The cons you've listed are mostly in his gift to control. The age thing could be a positive as it's not over the hill and he will bring experience. The huge wage is true but thats not a negative imo.

You trying to derail the thread?

Correct, it is not a case of well Mason is 100000% going to be an idiot, and take all the young players drinking etc.

And, you say huge wages, but wasn't the figure of £100k kicking around? We have players on more than this.

not that id know but id be very suprised if he is only coming for 100k

A list of positives over the river!

I'm sure it was that, I seem to remember that figure kicking around. Maybe Mrs B can let us know lol.
But seriously, I will try and find where I saw it.

In this article back in July in the HDM, they've got it as a £100k a year deal. Closest to any confirmation I can find unfortunately: www.thisishullandeastriding.co.u ... ticle.html

In this article back in July in the HDM, they've got it as a £100k a year deal. Closest to any confirmation I can find unfortunately: www.thisishullandeastriding.co.u ... ticle.html

Quote ="Scott_HKR"In this article back in July in the HDM, they've got it as a £100k a year deal. Closest to any confirmation I can find unfortunately: www.thisishullandeastriding.co.u ... ticle.html'" I'd guess at a lot more than 100k, but then you could pay him 200k and i'd still think it was money well spent.

Quote ="Scott_HKR"In this article back in July in the HDM, they've got it as a £100k a year deal. Closest to any confirmation I can find unfortunately: www.thisishullandeastriding.co.u ... ticle.html'" I'd guess at a lot more than 100k, but then you could pay him 200k and i'd still think it was money well spent.

For who he is I do believe it would seem a low amount. And yes, I firmly believe he is gonna do well for us. I think at the age of 30 he is probably grown up a lot, and I reckon he'll seize this opportunity. Hopefully anyways lo

And this one too lol, it say £110,000 a year, plus extras: www.thisishullandeastriding.co.u ... ticle.html

And this one too lol, it say £110,000 a year, plus extras: www.thisishullandeastriding.co.u ... ticle.html

I would doubt very much whether Willie Mason would travel 1/2 way round the world for £60-£70k per year, especially when he was on $400k a year at the Bulldogs in 2006. His $1.6m contract then over 3 years equates to around about £260k a year, it is accepted that this will have been when he was at his peak and that his stock is a lot lower now, but with the change in UK tax rules £70k is a massive drop and I'm certain he could earned at lot more in Japan, ARL etc.

I also remember reading in one of the aussie press articles that the aussie offers were no different to the English offers in terms of wage.

I would be that £100-125k is about what the guy is getting.

Dont forget though that one of the deciding factors over the basic salary was the offshore payments which then got abolished. His basic will have been uplifted somewhat to compensate for that. (which is what i believe the delays have been too, especially with Mason mentioning money in the Aussie press)

I also remember his manager Greg Keenan claiming he could get upwards of $250k (£160k) in Japan (Union). Whatever the claims, the fact of the matter is that he was expecting over £110k plus substantial extras when he committed to his Rovers contract. That was before the HM Gov. closed the tax exemption loophole, so he will now pay the higher flat rate of 40%, which I expect he will be a tad peesed about, even on £110k he's likely to earn around £75k, which is a lot less than £110k plus extras.

True, isn't it all stupid lol

It's stupid that offshore payments have ever been permitted outside of the salary cap for any overseas player but dont get me started on that one again.

Ha!

All fair points guys, just been honest about my concerns, and like I said I really hope I'm wrong cos if he keeps his head screwed on I'm sure he'll be a great asset.

Re his salary, I think I heard he's coming for £100k a year but that his partner was successful in her application for the £200k a year Sales Assistant vacancy that the shop were advertising for.

*

* 100% TIC, please don't take seriously.

Is tomorrow the day big willie hits hull?