That's why I thought it might be a trick question, because I have a vague (very vague) memory of that being the case, and David Ward would, thanks to later events, fit into the "which sacked Leeds coach" formula...

I agree with a lot of that. The GF got a lot of exposure on the BBC on Saturday morning, and again on Sunday. It provides a real showcase event to show RL at its best.

I love the people saying that the 5th placed team winning SL invalidates the play-offs. If anything it re-enforces it for me. When it was 1vs2 year after year, that didn't enforce the play-offs. But now, we have a place where anything can happen. I think the top 5 are closer now than at any other stage, and all can win big games away at their rivals. PLaying best when it matters against your biggest rivals gets you the ultimate prize

Haven't posted in a while, the last 6 months have been frankly not the best and recently I haven't felt up to it (nothing to do with the rugby, but not to be discussed here).

However, the win on Saturday and (even more so) the win against Wigan actually lifted me lot. I wouldn't have been bothered if we had lost against Wigan or against Warrington, but I was surprised how much the wins cheered me up. For that I am very greatful, I know the lads didn't do it for me in person but thanks anyway. This year I just knew we would win - only in 2009 have I ever felt like that before. Of all our GF's this was the one I was most confident about - I don't know why, but I just knew we would pressure Warrington and they would make mistakes. I think Warrington top the mistake table this season and in GF's you can't make many and win.

This seemed a relevent thread to comment on as I started watching Leeds back in '82 - just in time for the crossbar semi aginst Widnes, and the tremendous years of almost pantomime fun that followed. How things have changed.

Yesterday I proudly wore my signed 2004 Mark Calderwood playing shirt I bought off Puig a few years ago while I refereed a load of 9 year olds at our festival and thoroughly enjoyed the whole day (despite the stress of having to organise most of the thing myself). When it came to our age group final our lads took on their biggest rivals, but what would normally have been 14 minutes of pure tension were a pleasure. Like with the Rhinos on Saturday, I knew we would win and the boys toughed it out and scored a simply sublime try to win 1-0. Just like the Rhinos our lads defended like demons, we made more metres without the ball than with and and took the one clear chance in the game.

To answer a question about the Challenge Cup and why can't we perform in that final? I think the answer is pretty obvious isn't it? At the moment it's momentum. The semi final for the CC is months before the final and in betwen are the regular rounds of the league. The CC is not the end of season finale it used to be and I simply don't believe that Leeds can focus on the CC. The playoffs are a different animal, it's the end of your season if you lose - that's it - over. The level of intensity over 3 or 4 games simply ramps up and up one week to the next and it's something our players are highly tuned to and extremely good at. If you look back you could say that if we hadn't lost Peacock and McGuire late season in 2010 we might realistically be sitting here on 6 straight Championships. I find it spooky the way many of those GF wins resemble each other. This year and last year are remarkable. Leeds coming from behind in the last 20-25 minutes, Ablett taking a short ball from the hooker to crash over (Buderus last year, Lunt this year), Ryan Hall finishing a fantastic try late in the game etc. Ali used to have a habit of crashing over around the 55 minute mark on the left. I guess these things don't happen by accident, the same players doing the same little things at crucial moments.

I thought mid way through last season that Brian Mac was not the man to get the best out of an ageing squad, but it may be that 5th in the table is where we are realistically at best with the players we have and having everyone fit (which we seem to have), fresh and motivated for the playoffs is really all anyone could get from these guys. BMD is also a great leader and a figurehead for the players. He sets the right example and it's obvious that the key players all respect him. You can't buy that.

Finally, thanks again boys, a good weekend after a lot of $h!t ones recently. Little things can make a difference every now and again. Good luck next year.

Sorry to hear that mate. Completely understand but I'd still like to offer my best wishes. Can't afford to lose any of the good guys.

__________



Had a look back, Ward and Smith were in temporary charge for longer than I thought. Dewhurst officially 'resigned' in the build up to a Hull game at Headingley after attending a two hour 'clear the air talk' with Harry Jepson and the first team squad after the humiliating 54 - 4 defeat at Wheldon Road.

According to Jepson as reported in the YEP"The players were very forth coming. I think they realise how badly they let the club down. They are anxious to improve the situation and made some points of their own. We still have a very loyal following and they deserve better."[/i

Who knows what points the player's raised but the upshot was the coach was gone within days.

Leeds turned to captain Ward and stalwart Smith to steady the ship as they approached Frank Stanton with an invitation to come over in an advisory capacity for three or four weeks - obviously nowt ever came of that.

Steve Martin and Terry Webb were arriving that week and Gary Moorby was just about on his way in exchange for Tony Burke - smitten in Lancashire although initially it appears not that keen on St Helens.

Frank Stanton had recently gained promotion and according to Jepson his company had said 'to release him for any length of time at this stage was out of the question.' Leeds then switched their attention to Jack Gibson with Joe Warham commenting "He has commitments in Australia for the next month or so but something may develop after that ..... we want the best and we are ready to go a long way to get it."

A few weeks later and the new coach was finally revealed to be non other than Maurice Bamford, all the way from f**king Bramley.

We've now won so many Super League titles that only Cas fans can count them on the fingers of one hand.

Sorry to hear about yer rough time DHM best regards for the future mate!

That was one god awful match! How times have changed!

Was that the year we beat Salford in the semi? Or have I made that up?

Correct - 1991/2. The Salford semi-final I think was my first visit to Valley Parade.

Thanks. I'll be back on form at some point.

Quote: NurseRhino "That was one god awful match! How times have changed!'" Found a photo of that terrible day: www.flickr.com/photos/norbet/6326983556/ Looks like 1892!

Quote: NurseRhino "That was one god awful match! How times have changed!'" Found a photo of that terrible day: www.flickr.com/photos/norbet/6326983556/ Looks like 1892!

That brings back happy memories of being stood directly next to biggest lunatic I've ever seen at a rugby match. He was a widnes fan but, I wouldn't necessarily blame them for that. Every time they scored, which to be fair was quite a regular occurance in that particular game, he would jump around wildly trying to hit anyone in a leeds shirt he could get near to and flicking half smoked cigarettes in our faces.

A lovely man whose social skills were matched only by the standard of his amateur tattoos, of which he had many.

Anyway, I'll macth that particularly joyous occassion and raise everyone a Central Park drubbing where Offiah scored ten tries or a Premiership final with a cart horse named Simon Haughton galloping under our sticks from sixty yards out. Such a joy to be a Loiner in those days!

Yep, there for that one too - I think it was later in the same glorious season?

I seem to recall there was a canal or a river or some other filthy Mancunian watercourse outside the Central Park ground. I think it was on that terrible day I was walking next to it with my then girlfriend and her Mum. The word went around that the kick off had been delayed due to the Boat Race coverage on BBC. GF's Mum looks at the canal and announces: "That's ridiculous. And anyway, I can't see any boats!" Lessens the pain a bit.

With Craig Innes playing at 6?

Seem to remember the only player to come out with credit that day was Esene Faimalo.