I've come across him in the devon before in crossgates and frankly, he came across as big a bellend as he sometimes does on the field.

40 tackles, aint that a thang. Was he 5th or 6th man in?

Spoke to him three times now in Zed Bar Chapel A and he was really friendly. He was with Delaney who always says hello and doesn't mind having a chat in between burgers lol

I've known him since he was a primary school kid and have never had any issues with him personally, however I have seen him do some rotten things over the years, but having said that, I've also known him be a good laugh and just a typical 'one of the lads'.

He was always a bit of a bully as a kid - he was bigger and tougher than most kids, and had a gang of cronies/clingers on to show off to. It was clear from his early teens he was going to play for Leeds, and that 'fame' went to his head a little (which is to be expected really). 1 abiding memory I have is of 1 kid standing up to him for a fight after weeks of taunts, to which Ryan said he didn't want to fight, when the kid turned around to walk away, Ryan landed a haymaker from behind the kids back and leathered him - the strange thing was that he could probably have chinned him anyway without that.

After his spell out of the game following the much publicised incident in Leeds, he calmed down alot. He still used to have his cronies (along with a certain Mr Calderwood) who he'd play the big man in front of, but nothing too unsavoury.

Nowadays, the Ryan Bailey you come across off the field depends on who he's with at the time, and in what situation you see him. If he's on his own, or doing publicity work/working with the kids etc, he's really pleasant and a nice kid... If he's with his hangers on (a few mates and some 18 year old groupies) he still has the tendency to play the big man.

I've no real issues with his on field antics (although I'd like him to run his weight more), but the whole thing after the game is more about trying to impress the groupies IMO. Off the field, he's just a young bloke with a bit of fame/notoriety who lets it go to his head sometimes - he's certainly not the villain some fans would like to think - although he could easily be described as a bit of a c0ck at times.

I know him along family lines and superted is more or less spot on....
He can be very shy and come across very well....
BUT is acting like a t/t as of late and hides behind twitter to come across the angel and the poor done 2 one.....

Speaking of Bailey -

@Ryanbailey83: JamiePeacock man of steel hands down mate for me ! Shocking and yes it's shocking mockery shambles my option so I'll say how it is !

When in Rome...

I know that when Leeds play Wigan and I look at the team sheet and see the names Peacock Leuluai Delaney Ablett I know we are in for a battle. If we leave aside Bailey's "image" does he actually contribute much. He gives away penalties which is always welcome (the ones at the Etihad could have cost you the game just as much as the disallowed try).

But successive Leeds coaches see something in him and who am I to argue. I just think he's an average player who actually needs the "image" because it detracts from his deficiencies.

I look at Wigan's young props (Crosbie, Taylor, Flower) and thank God we don't need someone like Bailey. Surely a club like Leeds must have a young player with more potential?

Yes the club must see something in him.Although have you Had a player recently or still have got one playing regularly wth a similar rep to Bailey.Leeds would never have re engaged a player who had been banned for 2 years for a serious offence

I rather think they would. The drug wasn't performance enhancing, merely recreational. Your post smacks of hypocrisy if you believe that Leeds wouldn't have supported the player in the same way that Wigan did. Do you seriously believe that Hock is the only player in the game to have issues with recreational drugs?

The main difference between Hock and Bailey is that Hock can play.

Do you know who these players are or are you purely speculating?
Maybe you should contact the RL I am sure they would be interested.

McMillorum? Leeds would have sacked Hock.

I have no issues with Hock as a player, or his club employing him after his ban. Anyone who watched rugby league 20 years ago or before will tell you Hock and Bailey are angels. Both of them would have been handed their backsides by some of the terrifying creatures that inhabited the game back then. There are hard men and there are blokes who act hard in a game that has moved on safe in the knowledge that there is nobody interested in battering them anymore.

Hock and Bailey play a different game. Bailey, when he turns up to play, has been a consistant and quality forward for Leeds for nearly 10 seasons, of course he can play. Hock on the other hand has a great talent but has spent far too much of his career unfit - and I don't mean injured - just not fit enough. Even so, I would have been happy to see him in a Leeds shirt when he moved from Wigan - I think he would have been worth the risk. Although I don't think our coach would have been able to manage him frankly.

Hypocracy?how can you not mention some of your own when you you say that? Its always the same innit?You get a player done for two years and say oh nothing wrong was done.You get docked 4 points for breaching the cap with a warning of more if you don't behave.Then you say "oh nothing wrong,it just wasn't in the right spirit"That's hypocracy

I don't like Hock - at all. I can't get past his attitude. The guy has some real skill so there's no need to be a sneaking little fekker.

Bailey is just a big pantomime villain that everyone loves to hate. As a player he does a job - nothing more, nothing less.

As for the use of recreational drugs in RL, I know for a fact that there are a handful of players that like to sniff the white stuff. Should I go running to the RFL to tell tales? Why the Hell would I? As long as they're not Leeds players and it's not public knowledge, they're not harming anyone except themselves, so let 'um I say. While they're tripping their tits off they're less likely to score against us.