I don't think we'll be anything like what we were. There is definitely the feeling we have turned the corner though.

I think saying the squad was built on solid players is a tad insulting.

H.Paul, Vainikolo, Lowes etc were anything but average players. Certainly H.Paul and Volcano were star signings. We got lucky that a lot of our signings with potential actually filled that potential like Withers and Hape.

Walker signed a 1 year deal. Confirmed on hull kr website at bottom of galea news bulletin

[urlhttp://www.superleague.co.uk/article.php?id=18850[/url

I didn't say we would, the principles being used are the same though.



I don't think so.
None of our players upon signing during that period were world no 1's barely top 5 for most of them, but playing in a committed team made them better than they were individually IMO




I didn't say they were average, you just did.

HP I'll give you - Les was a big gamble at the time.

The backbone of the squad was developed over time. Lowes was a first wave import, H.Paul (1998 to 2001) a second wave and Les a third wave (2002 to 2007). Of those only H. Paul was really an established big name, star, signing.

In fact, over the years, Bradford's success was based on the canny acquisition of 'steady' players some of whom went on to become stars. You could almost see a parallel between 1996 and next season with a lot of rebuilding to be done... and who was at the heart of that transformation - M Elliott and one Mr M. Potter!

(Yes, I know B. Smith was head coach but the 2Ms were his presence in this country in the initial stages)

How many Super league clubs have ever bought world no1's or even top 5? It's a rare thing to see a genuine world class player sign for a SL club. I would say Orford comes into this ( Obvious bias mind! ). In the context of super league signings i think Lesley was a big name. I know it was a few years later, but he became a big name during the 2000 world cup. He was seen as a let down in his first season because he had a big rep.

Barrett
King
Orford

3 in the Super league era... WOW!

And how can you forget Lyon?

4!

Suppose Monaghan & Buderus may be there too.

All of them quality but none of them in the worlds top 5 I'm afraid - in the last year

When they were signed they were (arguably) one of the top 5 in the world.

Buderus is no where near his prime but still has real quality. I wouldn't put him in that bracket though. Monaghan?? Dunno, was he ever that highly rated down under?