Sgt. Major Eric Clay?

Now you're finally getting the picture. But penultimate cheats...? There is no-one worse


Had Hanley not had honest spells at Bradford, Leeds and Balmain his reputation would probably be too tarnished to go on this statue. Thankfully he had those periods of redemption and has earned the spot

should be boston or hanley for me. edwards is rugby union and having him would be a kick in nuts even tho he was a great player and played at wembley when he was 17

Golden Boot Winner, 3 x MOS winner, Lance Todd Trophy winner, World Club Championship winner, 4 Challenge Cup winners medals, 3 Championships, 1 Premiership, 4 John Player Trophy Winners medals and 4 Lancashire Cup winners medals, 34 caps for GB plus an M.B.E there can only be one candidate I'm afraid -

The great Ellery Hanley.

Keith Elwell. Look at his entry in the Widnes Hall of Fame - see penulitmate paragraph: widnesvikings.org.uk/fansite/hall-of-fame.html Let alone the medals, 239 consecutive appearances (without missing for injury etc) at a time when Widnes were often playing 3 games a week (and IIRC 4 in 8 days once) at the business end of the season. Inch for inch the toughest player ever?

Keith Elwell. Look at his entry in the Widnes Hall of Fame - see penulitmate paragraph: widnesvikings.org.uk/fansite/hall-of-fame.html Let alone the medals, 239 consecutive appearances (without missing for injury etc) at a time when Widnes were often playing 3 games a week (and IIRC 4 in 8 days once) at the business end of the season. Inch for inch the toughest player ever?

What about Dave Valentine captain of Huddersfield but also a WORLD CUP WINNING captain. A player who did everything at club and international level.

I would think that the nominated player will be the one that is most recognisable to the populous outside of Rugby League. In spite of the undoubted merits of Hanley no argumenst fom me if he got it), Sullivan, Boston etc. The most famous RL player and probably the one merits the statue the most is Martin Offiah

The more I think about it the more it has to be one or two:

1. Don Fox on his knees (on a raised plinth); or
2. A great captain lifting the Cup (eg Murphy for Leigh, Hanley, Vince Karalius, Neil Fox - if he were ever captain (I can't recall), one of the Sullivans, etc. Murphy would be good as he arched his back whilst raising the cup as I recall, so it was distictive. I would favour the captain being chaired wihilst holding the cup aloft - and I remember Karalius and Murphy both doing that and there are good photos. to sculpt from.

I think some are missing the point here.
It is a Wembley statue not just a Rugby League statue.

The player has to represent something about Wembley.
So if say Hanley gets it, he gets it because he played there scored great tries, coach GB there etc. Not because of his MOS achievements.

There has been 3 more names added to the list and one of them is Eric Ashton. He was not only a great player but was the first man to lead a club side out at Wembley as a player a coach and a Chairman. He also played in an Ashes winning side. He was also the first player in RL to be awarded the MBE. He would get my vote for his overall contribution to Wembley and RL.

He would be a good choice. An extrordinary and elegant centre. I was only thinking about him the other night and recalling one match at the back end of his career (when he had silver hair) where he brilliantly ripped Widnes apart. For the reasons you state I would have no problem with that choice.

Some on the original list that should be on the current longlist: www.nwemail.co.uk/sport/raiders/ ... th=raiders\\ The thing that worries me is that if current fans vote there will a disproportionate vote for players from the last 20 years or less. Its inevitable because more people saw them play. But if the statue lasts for 50 years will they really be the ones of legend?

Some on the original list that should be on the current longlist: www.nwemail.co.uk/sport/raiders/ ... th=raiders\\ The thing that worries me is that if current fans vote there will a disproportionate vote for players from the last 20 years or less. Its inevitable because more people saw them play. But if the statue lasts for 50 years will they really be the ones of legend?

Ellery Hanley or Clive Sullivan for me.

And by the way both coached at the Dons