I only heard Lee Crookes speak once. We were outside Wembley after a GB international (I think) and he was in the crowd. Five words did he utter - "Head for that Burger van". I'm not saying they define his playing career, but they must be very, very close.

wasn't he employed as club artist in the manner wigan's wives ran the club shop

???

Backo was certainly a big name at the time and would certainly go down as pretty ground-breaking as a signing at the time, considering his reputation.

As for on the field though, he definitely failed to live upto the hype- I remember, as a Wire fan, visiting Headingley that season.. We were having a poor season and were expecting another defeat. We did have Steve Roach and Les Davidson in our pack, both, like Backo, big name Aussie signings.

Roach had been particularly disappointing for us, but I recall on that day that both of our guys totally bullied Backo and we got a deserved win.

As for other signings of yours from an outsiders point of view - Gallagher is the obvious stand out. He was the poster boy All Black at the time.. From a personal point of view, was quite envious when you got Tait from Widnes. Always loved his running game.

club painter as wages top up

Not quite as there was no salary cap then unlike the alleged time of the wife at the Wigan club shop