whilst paying money into his bank account on a monthly basis as per the terms of said contract?

If Wigan were concerned that he was looking to sign for one of their rivals.
Then that could only be Saints, Wire or Leeds.
My guess Wire.

I'd be surprised if Tony Smith was interested in disrupting what is already a pretty fine team. And wasn't Hock found guilty of gouging a wire player a year or two back?

Can't see that having any effect to be honest.

It's well documented these constant 'issues' that have plagued his career balanced against a fine rugby league second rower on his day.

Incidents occur, people get over it. A bigger picture is looked at. Hock would strengthen most teams.....just don't expect him to be available for 35 games a year!

Perhaps you're right re the gouging. Nonetheless, I still have doubts whether Warrington would be strengthened by signing Hock, in the same way that I'd have reservations were we to sign him.

More disturbingly, it transpires that he and Kevin Brown are brothers-in-law. Meaning that any offspring will share DNA (and presumably looks) with both. One for the family album.

There's two sides to every story as Andy Gilder has already alluded to.

Yes Wigan looked after Gareth Hock when he hit rock bottom in his career but it's not like he could really go anywhere else. Having grown up in the town, Wigan is all that Gareth knows so what he needed to get through those hard times with the help of family and friends. Well they got him through the hard times and he's since repaid them by playing some good rugby. However by the looks of things Wigan have got greedy as a club and it's now either their way or the highway.

This would never happen at Leeds Rhinos where Greg Eastwood was free to come and go when he wanted without any fuss. Chev Walker also had a hard time which Leeds Rhinos helped him through. Did Chev get greedy and go to Rugby Union?

There's more to this than what meets the eye!

Wire were the club he was hoping to join. Infact, he practically gave it away with his SSN interview 'Wigan wouldn't let me join one of their rivals Warrington.... Or saints or Leeds...

Also, in addition to annoying them with his demands, he has failed an internal test at Wigan - and I don't mean a spelling test. Complete loser!

Seems a little petulant from the Wigan club. The club should be bigger than that. There will be plenty of players who ask for more money, even some who back it up with a threat of withdrawing their services.
Not sure what Hock is supposed to "owe" Wigan. They re-employed a quality player after he served his ban and for me they got plenty in return from him. The fact they don't want to face him suggests they still highly rate him as a player as well.

Loan him out to a $h!t club, stipulate he can't play against them, deny him a transfer to a serious competitor? A bit over the top for me. The guy has a couple of years of earning top money in him, after that he's going to struggle to make a decent living. This is pretty nasty and it all sounds personal.

The guy has a bit of an iffy reputation for discipline, but frankly having watched the game for 30 years he's a pussycat. I like his style, I like the fact he genuinely intimidates people and pushes softcock packs around.

Bad example. Leeds enforced Iestyn Harris' contractual obligations with some vigour.

What's the problem with Wigan's actions? They hold his contract, he refuses to fulfill it, they're legally entitled to act as they have.

Though I agree the public statement seems a little petty and if I were Widnes, with whom they have an "excellent" relationship apparently, I'd be insulted that they're not considered one of Wigan's "rivals". True or not 9and it is) it's still insulting and unnecessary to a fellow league club to say so publicly.

McDermott smashed 3 Leeds players (including Jimmy Lowes) during his playing days for Bradford and we took him on.
I don`t think that his gouging would deter Tony Smith trying to sign him.
If there is more to all this than meets the eye pardon the gouging pun and he failed another test.
Then Wigan are right to get rid and not be held to ransom by someone who seems intent on ruining his career.

Side issue, but Jimmy Lowes was on the Bradford side that afternoon, and was at acting-half just before the incident. Brian did smack Barrie Mac though (after Newton and Gibson).

legendary biff by brian

was so fast

Legendary?

Brian McDermott unloaded his ex-Royal marine finest on an 18 year-old youngster and a winger - neither hit the deck not even the poop deck.

Brainless act which could have cost him a spot at Wembley albeit instigated by a classic Newton sly knee in the ribs.

Reguardless Harris ended up playing for his desired club at the time and even help this team defeat Leeds in the 2005 Grand Final. Hock isn't going to get that option this year.

Legally right in the name of the law by the looks of things but not necessarily morally right.

I agree that the mocking of Widnes is a disgrace and I just hope that been away from a toxic club will do Gareths game a world of good!