Quote: EFCWARRIOR "I have not read the times article but the thing that annoys me ,is that it's always St John Fisher that get the credit when the press pick up on RL in Wigan.There are other schools in the town that produce a lot of talent , in fact if i'm not mistaken St Peters in Orrell won the Yr11 National cup last season and quite a few of that team have gone on to sign contracts at Wigan and Saints,St Eddies in Ashton also produce a large number of RL players that Wigan /Saints and other teams have signed up a few over recent years.
I know this is about St John Fisher but whilst i'm on [ my soapbox] i feel i have to mention st Pats, they also get credited with producing the 'best' talent in the Town , in fact historically Pats have always poached players from other clubs when they reach 15,16 yrs old and then get credited.. there are other clubs in the town such as St Judes, St Cuthberts,Ince RB, and 2 clubs who are very close to my heart Orrell St James and currently one of the top[fact] clubs in the country Hindley, all tehse clubs have produced a fair amount of talented players many of whom you can see playing in SL week in week out...end of rant....
Oh yes 1 last question ...which Amateur club in the town did not field a team at u16's last season?...guess!!
Yes you've got it Wigan St Pats......'"
The difference is the very long pedigree that SJF has. Stretching back to Edwards, Mike Gregory, even Ged Byrne (ok Im stretching things) and even before when Steve McCleod was the teacher. But for every Edwards and Gregory there were several others as good or better that didn't follow the pro rugby route (I wont name names).
As for St Pats and the U16s. If you are heavily involved in the amateur game, you will know what turbulence happens at 16 and 17. Its also true that lads travel from far and wide (north Lancashire) twice a week to try and make that step up. That is their choice, and while their clubs suffer, they are happy for the progression to be made. Maybe its wrong they automatically think Pats is the answer. But that's where the game is at. its mostly choice in my limited experience rather than poaching.
