What makes you think they aren't?

4 Finals in the last ten years (of which 3 ended in narrow defeats). IIRC a couple of other semi-finals on top of that. Apart from Saints, Leeds record in the Challenge Cup since their last win stands comparison with just about anyone.

Bluey has done great for you guy's , but next year he needs to do better in the CC to be called a Legend You need to win it

No not at all, I just understand that the others teams are also ambitious, apart from sign every player in the league I'm not sure what you think GH has done wrong.

The fans acceptance of Leeds' recent lack of success in that particular competition (rather than the clubs.)



The winning of the comp record would suggest otherwise with St Helens (5), Bradford (2), Wigan, Hull and Warrington all succeeding where Leeds have failed in the last ten attempts.

When you consider that 1999 is a one off Challenge Cup final victory in 31 seasons it relegates Leeds to that of a novelty winner along with other novelty winners such as Castleford, Featherstone, Halifax, Hull KR and Sheffield.

If we'd had the run Wire had we could have played our Academy in a couple of games.

But we didn't. We got, as Tony Soprano has pointed out, a team that hadn't lost in that competition in 3 years. We had to play our best team available to have a chance.

We lost. It doesn't mean we didn't want to win it. It doesn't mean I didn't want us to win it.

Like you I would take what we have and be grateful for it. And I will enjoy it because life's too short and Leeds have been too crap over the years to do otherwise.

Gary Hetherington was candid enough to accept my criticism. Whether you understand it or not I can just about live with.

So, if we'd managed to be lucky enough to be drawn against and beat York, Featherstone Rovers, Hull KR, Wigan and Huddersfield in a 5 match sequence would that really make any difference to your view about the ambition of our CEO and the strength of the squad?

He should have been steadfast in the view I expressed at the time and the view he and Mr Jepson are expressing now that this is a great, talented and successful squad.

He was appeasing knee jerk supporters during a rough patch for the club. He has to persuade idiots to buy season tickets, replica shirts and such like.

I have the luxury of being able to say our fans are morons and don't know what they're talking about. He doesn't.

Where have I said other clubs have diminished? I've said Leeds and St Helens' squad strength has diminished in 2009.

You said they both lost more games this season than in recent years, I stated that was untrue, that is where your statement didn't stand up.



You do the oldest RL competition in the world a dis-service in that case. A game (the Challenge Cup Final) the RL public still support in greater numbers than the SL Grand Final.

Did someone forget to tell Bradford and St Helens you can't win both in the SL Era? Or what about Broughton Rangers, Halifax, Hunslet, Huddersfield, Swinton, Warrington and Wigan in the pre SL days.

Yes if a Challenge Cup win is coupled with a Championship triumph, that's what the season is all about. Had Leeds achieved that I would have nowhere to go. They didn't, so I do.

This is the McClennan thread and I seem to recall you had plenty to say on that matter also. There's nothing much between our views only on the issues we've championed this season. Did Hetherington go into print supporting any of your concerns re the coaches performance or perceived strengths and weaknesses?

Losing at home (regardless of the opposition) is a poor attempt in a rightly targetted match.

My profuse apologies I got you confused with someone else......

I hear what you say regarding the clubs attitude but I feel this is a purely financial consideration on their part.

With regard to the players themselves, yes it would still seem to retain its old attraction as a prized career goal.

Perhaps it could be better scheduled within the SL framework or even before the league season commences.