Tbf, all of whom would have been greeted with scepticism. They were all available for a reason, save Myler who I don't think was ever going to come here.

When you look at who we signed instead they were greeted with scepticism too (apart from Orford).

Who are you asking that we be fair to? The people who signed Sherriffe, Sykes (x3) Herbert plus many others. Whilst all signings are greeted with a mixture of hope and scepticism it is the role of management of the club to make decisions based on professional judgements. We're in 11th position and have been beaten by 60+ points at the weekend because the people in charge of recruitment and retention have shown appalling judgement. And I'm afraid that is a very fair assessment

Who was the player that (allegedly) was going to sign for us circa 1997, went for a trip to the races with the players and ended up having a punch up (allegedly) with Bradley, leading to collapse of signing?

Oooh! I dont know that story! Someone spill the beans!

But probably via PM in case he's a bloke who might get his lawyer involved...

Brough was always going to be a gamble - credit to him since those times he seems to have knuckled down a little.
Brown at the time I would not have taken, He would not have solved what we need now- plays well with brough or robinson alongside but without struggles/does not shine.
Myler's both left widnes richie(I am convinced he moved from widnes to salford but could be wrong) was missed but at the age he went salford was a lot closer to home for him. Stephen went to union and no way were we going to compete with their wages.

Tupou started well but faded with his own remarkable level of low confidence.
Sykes was fine at centre dropped a few passes but scored a lot of tries and held the line up. He plays 6 as we had no other real options- he irritated me massively with his predictability but was better option than others we had. Now he is public enemy no1 for giving it a shot (confidence lost through it and struggling as crowd jeers with every mention). He is home grown, willing to be a squad player and play were asked yeah sure he is not thurston or GI but give the man a break!

IIRC it was a different Myler at Widnes who went to play RU.

I'd agree that the knack for spotting a gem seems to have left the club wih Caisley, as the sister thread I started pretty much demonstrates. Some of SM's signings did repay his faith - Menzies, Heath, BK, Semi, Morro, Scruton, but not enough.

Some of the signings we thought were far too low quality at the time of signing turned out to be very solid players IMO such as James Evans, Marcus St. Hilaire.

As per, spot on.

Recruitment in recent times, shambolic.

Lots of common denominators.

It's clear where the lack of steering, judgement and direction has emanated from.

Sorry, I thought it was widely known. Cant remember his name just that he was a prop with another Yorks team (not Leeds).

It's nothing to do with Francis Stephenson

Who is it? I'm oll oyt of ideas.