I seem to remember him sliding off the wet surface into the advertising boards at some pace. That pitch was far too small for RL.

My first game @ 12 years old was a league match v Fev Rovers 1964.

Sneaked in through the fencing on the ginnel behind the west stand and sat in front of the wicket fence behind the try line.

Shoey scored a late try under the posts to seal a victory and I was hooked

First big final was the 68 Watersplash final on the Wally Arnolds coach with nearly the whole class from school.

Spent the most of the seventies till 1977 playing the game at amateur level with 2 years at Headingley in the Leeds U19`s Intermediates under coach Alan Horsfall but couldnt quite get a pro contract.

Honeymoon in London 1978 to watch the CC Final.

80`s and 90`s had a season ticket and went home and away till the advent of SL then moved into coaching and helping run an amatuer team for 12 years.

This past 6 years have been the best in terms of trophy success

This is THE team.

This is the team that will be referred to in the history books. This is the team that has had unprecedented success. This is the team that all others will be measured against.

In a few of decades from now we will be saying “…yes but they’re not as good as the team at the turn of the century.”

No matter how good or great you think teams of the past have been they will never compare to what we have right now. There will be no team in the future that will replicate this success.

This team is the Mohamed Ali of boxing, the Ian Botham of cricket, the Pele of football and there will never be another like it.

Just take a minute to think about how lucky we are right now, to see this happen right in front of us. To be able to say “I was there”.

Feel thankful, feel proud but must of all feel fortunate, for what we have right now comes once in forever.

Well said and here here!

My first game was 1990 against Northern. Used to stand in the old paddock, or on the Eastern terrace.

First final was Regal Trophy v Widnes. 1993? Memory like a seive. It took several years of counselling before I could even talk about it. First "major" final was the 1994 CC final. The first of my 8 Challenge Cup Final Losing Streak having missed '99. How many people can say they've seen their side lose a Challenge Cup final in 4 stadiums (if you count old and new Wembley as different, which I do) without any of them being replays?

Given those time frames, the debate about the best side/era I've seen is barely worth having.

It occurred to me that, inevitably, one day there are going to be a spell of 2 or more years without a championship again. Then we'll be all, like "WTF. Where's our trophy gone?"

True story.

Liking the new banner, very well done!

Love the new banner, those stars are looking mighty impressive.

Starry, starry banner. Good stuff.

Its going to take an awful long time for anyclub to emulate this period,if ever,and don't they know it?6stars and still counting.

Airlie Birds fan here. must say this is one of the best threads I've ever read. Memories, passion and a bit of heartache thrown in for good measure amongst the glories of the recent years you happily recount. For me, a Boulevarder since 65 and a traditionalist who can remember Seabourne, Shoebottom, Bev Risman et al, I really feel something from the words you share with us all. Well done you have a champion team. Enjoy it.

Of course, as you would expect, none of this will count the next time we meet lol

Try refreshing the page RR =F5!!

great new banner

Nice new banner...

.. just a shame RLFANS stick an equally big advert directly below it. I think there are enough adverts on this site already that they could avoid putting on there to be honest