Sorry, I should have used a different term, as I actually meant ‘Home Grown’ as in ‘UK-reared’. It was a response to an increasing trend of fans of other clubs claiming we rely on buying in young players, when their own clubs in fact rely on overseas players rather than their own products or Super League stock.

But yes, we haven’t really had a ‘core’ of Warrington academy players for a while, despite what seemed like a good bunch of talented youngsters from both local teams and as far afield as Wales and France. I think we put too much responsibility in the hands of one man, when we should looked at what works for other clubs with a proven track record for getting the young players to transition successfully. I don’t believe it’s purely down to the talent spotting, as you only need to watch early videos of the likes of the Evans Brothers to see what potential existed in the academy.

As I recall he was on loan at Huddersfield and his contract was to expire. Huddersfield offered him a deal and he chose Warrington.

You could argue he wasn't in Wanes plans but he was in Huddersfield and he certainly has furthered his career beyond that of a rejected youngster.

Hughes got into the Wigan first team in 2012, and made the English academy and England Knights. But he failed to develop to Wigan's exacting standards having been loaned to Leigh, Workington and finally ended up at Huddersfield. Wigan had made their decision on him by 2014.

Being good enough for Huddersfield to offer him a contract, but Wigan having no further interest sort of makes my point for me.

If he was to leave Wire he would be going to Widnes, Hull KR or the Championship.

with players like Sargenson and then Gelling plus World class backrowers, it's tough to nail a spot...him going out on loan didn't automatically mean Hughes was to be ousted...it's a means to keep him fit at a top level for a possible return.
It may have even been Hughes himself that asked about a loan move, I don't know.

Wigan had to make a call on him as the contract was about to expire...with eyes on Tompkins and Bateman, he very likely became surplus and something has to give.

Hughes was great at Huddersfield and he was great here too, last season many players were poor, I don't think Hughes was the poorest by some distance last season.

I still don't think he is a Wigan reject junior to back up the comment you said earlier about us only signing flops.

Let's agree to disagree on Hughes. I don't think he was "great" in 2016. Solid defender maybe but was always prone to losing the ball or failing the play the ball correctly. As for 2017 he was abysmal and was one of the worst players but he was undroppable.

And I never said "we only sign flops". I actually wrote

"With the occasional gem, we will always be in a position of weakness when we rely on signing young players that are rejected by their own club for not being good enough"

I know you didn't. I didn't quote you, I just paraphrased it shorter to how I understood it.
Yes ok.