I remember that game well. Still hurts even today. I blame myself for result because every match I always stood in the same place but on that occasion I had my eldest daughter with me and I stood somewhere else. I remember the elation at the first half but the second half was relentless one way traffic. It wouldn't have hurt so much but in was Bradford! I often think that this match signalled the start of the clubs gradual decline from the top flight.

The contract system was already in place and had been since the late late 1980's..

What killed us off was having to go fulltime as required by membership of Super League with gates of only 5000/6000 on average and no income from wet sales/dining/proper hospitality boxes.

The move to the Shay was good because we'd tipped over £1million into Thrum Hall between 1987 and 1996 and it was still archaic.

sad but true.

I never realised we were dead

I thought we just had a nervous breakdown, lost our job, forgot to cut up the credit card up and refused to shop at Aldi, so now were living with Father Jack Hackett.

But didn't the transfer system also die out? I remember players being seen as assets in the respect that you could sell them on at a hefty fee which made their initial purchase more attractive. I agree about the full time bit obviously - it was unsustainable without a backer. Makes you wonder how much the backers of Harlequins plough into the club.

We were still buying the likes of Holroyd and Cardiss in 1998/99.

I agree it was on it's last legs though.

Remember it well, think if i can be bothered looking i still have it on video.Great Days, Great Memories.