Quote G1="G1"It's my honest recollection that Schoey talks about it in his book but it's a while since I've read it so I can't be certain. I'm relatively sure. He can always give us, via you, his version of how much the lack of a SL loyalty bonus effected him prior to that game. At the time, as a more rabid fan and less balanced than I am now it infuriated me. I went that day full of expectation and, as usual with Leeds that day, was gutted. To read later that a hero of mine was even thinking about money in the changing room infuriated me, the young idealist that I was.
Regardless, on refelection, I may well be biased against Gary. I've heard and witnessed too many negative tales (many from people within the confines of the dressing rooms) about his time in an infuriatingly dissapointing Leeds team that I may be guilty of dismissing what he says because it's him that is saying it. But to be fair, he brings a lot of that upon himself with much of his delivery. I might miss the odd salient point he makes because, frankly, his constant sniping and negativity, has turned me off listening to him. As a pundit, that is a failure on his part.
Doug Laughton was a very succesful coach with a track record of trophies, even during Wigan's dominant era. I often wonder why it was his mission from the outset to rid Leeds of Schofield and what a team we might have been had he done so.
Regardless, I digress again. In twenty years when I speak to my grandkids of Leeds greats and hero's and deeds it will be the Peacocks, Sinfields, McGuires, Burrows, Seniors, Harris's etc etc. Not Schofield. I doubt he will care but in reality he should. He should care that his legacy has been so tarnished for so, so many who used to worship him.'"
I'll never get into a debate with you on your opinions on him as a player and the team that he played in, as I fully respect what you say on it and fully respect the fact you presumably spent a fortune following them only to experience disappointment 99% of the time. Like all fans, you have your favourites and if GS isn't there, that's fair enough.
WRT Laughton though - you must also wonder what if David Ward had stayed, or what if someone else had come in. Irrespective of his poor relationship with his ex-captain, Laughton wasted a fortune at Leeds and can only be regarded as a failure. He brought trophies to Widnes, yes, but they paid a pretty penny for them. Leeds and Widnes have two things in common: they were both coached by Doug Laughton, and they were both on the financial brink not long after.
But we're digressing. A point I noticed on the other thread is that you and others think he was an individual selfish player. The same accusation was thrown at Iestyn Harris too when this forum was debating whether Leeds should re-sign him from Wales. Isn't it the case that - unlike anyone in the 2004-2011 side, where the talent was more evenly spread - Garry and Iestyn were head and shoulders above anyone else in a playmaking capacity. Wityhout either player in their respective teams, I reckon Leeds would have languished in mid-table, or worse, as they did in 1996, the only season between 1987 and 2001 that neither played for Leeds.
Apologies for introducing Iestyn to the debate. Fully willing to acknowledge that you were proved completely righy in that argument!
