Indeed - both players were investigated several times and cleared of any involvement in match fixing. The amounts of money involved were an order of magnitude higher than in Long's case(s), though. And the ACB did their best to keep it hidden.

Who actually wrote this book, out of interest? I assume someone interviewed him and typed it all up in English on his behalf?

In the United States players get banned for years at a time just for betting on OTHERS SPORTS!


In fact over a decade ago now there was a scandal where College basketball players were doing points shaving, they were even losing games, they were winning, just not by huge margins.

The FBI caught up with them and jail time was served!

Indeed. Covered in 'Wiseguy', the book which 'Goodfellas' was based on. It never made the film, but Henry Hill was involved in the points shaving scheme. His testimony got Rick Kuhn, one of the conspirators, sentenced to ten years in jail, although this was reduced to 28 months on appeal.

To be fair, though, gambling is illegal in many US states and sports betting is legal only in Nevada and (with limitations) a couple of other states and not allowed at all on the internet. It's not like the UK or Australia where there are opportunities to bet on football games on every high street. Not forgetting the revenues Aussie leagues clubs derive from gambling.

BBC website says he was critical of Scully & Noble, - anyone shed any light on what he said?

Quote: poorlytoe "BBC website says he was critical of Scully & Noble, - anyone shed any light on what he said?'" www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sp ... as-cp.html

Quote: poorlytoe "BBC website says he was critical of Scully & Noble, - anyone shed any light on what he said?'" www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sp ... as-cp.html

Its just a shame that such an amazing player was held back by the coach, and the selections, and the training ground, and the hotel room and the fact he was having his period....

AT the Ilkley Literature festival last night, Long's Book was mentioned by Dave Hadfield (I think it was Dave who did?) who had been skimming it earlier that day. One got the impression that he thought Long should have been rather more responsible and circumspect...!

Does anyone care what Dave Hadfield has to say unless you want a cure for insomnia?

well if Dave Hadfield says so...

Possibly, but with every second player seemingly wanting to put out an incredibly dull autobiog these days it makes a change to have something a bit racier.

Don't shoot the messenger. I've not read the book (and don't intend to unless it costs me nowt... ). I DO note that the RFL HAVE suggested Long may have a case to answer though.

The panel also observed that there seemed to be a flood of RL books coming out right now.

You are just reeling from this (accurate) line:

"For the Australia game, Brian Noble paired me and Leon Pryce at No 6 and No 7 and we demolished them. "

I still remember him chipping the weak Aussie defensive line, barely able to run as he was drunk and laughing at the same time and releasing Wellens to scorch over under the sticks.

Yeah, I lose sleep at night thinking of the only game you won in a series with three teams in which you came third even though one team had points taken off them.

Still, chalk it up as another famous win, in a series you came last in. Hey....lets talk about Melbourne, 1990....