And what would Schofield know about that?

That "era" btw, was the briefest of eras in Rugby league's rich history.

He did have the option of winning a Premiership title, there was also the League Challenge Cup, Regal Trophy (in various formats) and Yorkshire Cup on offer.

The Peak of his domestic career. That said, it was Cliffy who took the White Rose trophy home that day.

But it isn't the same trophy numbnut! This one is ugly and angular but it sits proudly in the Rhinos trophy cabinet - which was rarely true with the former mothballed trophy.

Nevertheless, Sinfield, McGuire and his other non-favourites have accomplished that twice. Which is twice more than Schofield did.

Just saying.

Not the same trophy either. Current one was commissioned for 1996 Super League season wasn't it?

Just saying.

These things are possible sometimes in a team sport.

The likes of Ian Kirke and Carl Alett can be and presently are both four time Championship winning players without ever reaching full International status.

While a great individual player such as Garry Schofield never won a Championship despite in his day becoming the joint International cap record holder, officially recognised by the honour system for his contribution to the sport, a series winning captain of his country, a Man of Steel and Golden Boot winner.

Had Schofield signed for Wigan instead of Leeds he'd arguably have had a hat full of trophies to go alongside his individual awards.

I don't think anyone degenerating Schoey is arguing he was not gifted. You can be a gifted loser.

Why didn't Schoey sign for Wigan? The real reason might be an indication that he is a loser.

I doubt Schofield's list of personal achievements were a recognition of him being a loser.

He was IMO a 'champion' player but as he played in a team sport rather than an individual discipline he was reliant on much more than he could ever contribute on his own.

I don't reall if Wigan were ever interested but they tended to be in world class players and Schofield was proven in that regard at both International level and in domestic football in both hemispheres. Perhaps they and he were never in the same place at the same time.

That's right but the 'Gifted Loser' played a blinder didn't he.

He played a lot of rugby though. By the time he was 27 (when he was "making way" for Holroyd) he must have had 12 or 13 seasons worth if you think he was straight into the Hull first team at 18 and also played summers in Australia. Add to that the drinking cluture in the sport and you get a heck of a lot of mileage on the clock. He was also nearly put out of the game altogether as I remember with an inner ear problem (remember the scrum cap he wore at the time?). Hanley (as we seem to be comparing the two) was later into the game at top level. Hanley was a real athelete, and looked after himself, but Schofield was a better footballer. Let's be real here, if we had signed Hanley instead of Wigan - like we tried to - Hanley would have won sweet FA as well, and likewise if Schoey had gone to Wigan he would have a lock-up full of medals.

1995 Challenge Cup pre match antics and game display - loserville.

Not disagreeing DHM - just pointing out that not winning anything certainly shouldn't detract from Hanley's performances for us (as someone suggested). I also think the same is true of Schofield BTW.

I agree Schoey had played a lot of RL by a youngish age, but I think the fact that he didn't seem to push himself as often as he should probably contributed to his decline and inability to then turn it on in finals. Offsetting Schoey's early start would be the fact that Hanley also played in the pack, and for Leeds at least, aged 30+ was willing and able to take drives into the heart of the defence (which he really shouldn't have needed to do being the size he was).

I also repeat that I couldn't care less what Schoey says as a 'pundit' - he's trying to carve out a career by being controversial/forthright or whatever, and good luck to him.

There's a lot more to being a champion than just playing ability.

On the flip side of your argument, you could wonder, legitimately in my opinion, what Leeds' '95 side would have been like if Schofield was swapped for the vastly less gifted Edwards. The fact that it's a team sport rather than an individual discipline also means that 'champion' players have to give things to the team beyond just their natural ability. The old "side before self" bit. I couldn't tell you whether Schoey did that or not, but it is that aspect of being a great player in a team sport that I think some are questioning.

From my point of view, I remember him as the best player I saw at Leeds in my youth, and I idolised him.

All I would say is that my recollection will always be that he was a great player but won't inhabit the same level of the podium as players like Sinfield, JJB, McGuire and Burrow (I could go on and on but you get the idea) who were not just part players in our recent golden era but were right at the beating heart of that success, because they belonged to, and created, the team spirit that has made this side so special. That need not be a criticism of Schoey, but in my mind it has made some of his previous niggling about them in the press disappointing, but also a bit on the petty, jealous and bitter side.

If he hadn't been such a boyhood hero then I wouldn't care that he was a rent-a-gob, but it still disappoints me that he insists on making a living (and I know he has to somehow) by making unnecessary controversial comments to the press. With his standing as a player, he could, I firmly believe, have made a career for himself as the sort of pundit and commentator that people could actually respect. There is the crux of my disappointment. Not what he may, or may not, have done in the early 90s.

I [ican[/i tell you. He didn't. In fact, he expended quite a lot of energy to ensure it was self before side. Some might say those were some of his reasons for not Signing for a truly professional outfit like Wigan. Some might also say he might have had practical difficulties getting to training.

On a completely unrelated theme, multiple drink driving bans are for winners!

I'll bring out my old story posted before, about the time my cousin bought his house. Left behind was a lot of RL memorabilia, nearly all Leeds things. Across posters and the like some had the words **stards written all over them and ****holes.

It showed me that day just how high he thought of his time at Leeds.