The game has moved on dramatically since the days of Eric Clay and Billy Thompson etc..In those days there was no real scrutiny of refereeing decisions and in the main players and spectators alike had respect for the man in the middle.The game today is totally different with the move to “summer “and full time professional players who are much fitter and better coached.Every Super League game today is either televised or video recorded and as such every mistake by players or officials are highlighted.Mistakes by players seem to be soon forgotten even when they have proved costly to their team but when a referee makes a costly mistake he is pilloried .In the course of a game a referee has countless decisions to make and most of the time they get it right.
I was at Wakefield yesterday and there is no doubt that the referee made a few wrong decisions in what was a difficult game to officiate in.Likewise Robert Hicks I am certain will regret not asking for a video review of the Saints “Try”early in the Cup Final.Irrespective of the mistake he does not deserve the bashing being dished out by the Saints Chairman .Yes Hicks was wrong but so to is the Saints Chairman whose attack on Hicks is cowardly and I suspect it is one he will come to regret.There have been a few new referees coming through recently to challenge the established ones and given time hopefully the standard will improve.One to watch is Marcus Griffiths from Widnes who we have had a couple of times and who has done well.One that was lost to Super League was Jack Smith from Leigh does anyone know why ?as he always impressed .

A good summing up imo Phuzzy.

Thank you JJ. Your £5 is in the post.

I respect you as a poster, on this one though myself and most of the RL world hold a contrary opinion.

If this went to court I’ve no doubt EM would win for the reasons you are arguing however in my mind, and the minds of most we know what he meant and implied.

I’m sorry, his program notes were nothing more than a childish dummy spit (well worded & likely with the help of a lawyer) because a couple of decisions went against his team.

Did EM air his concerns about the appointment of Hicks for the final before the game?

What McManus doesn't seem to know is that after Hicks reported the tweet to the police, the police interviewed him and became aware he had some learning difficulties..so it was the police who went back to Hicks and explained the situation and they were sure he was of no threat...but they will prosecute him if Hicks wanted so....Hicks on learning of his learning issues told the police he didn't want to prosecute but did want to meet the lad to put to him what he thought.
The police were satisfied with this and Karl F was asked to set up the meeting by Hicks.
That is how the events panned out...
The outcome was the lad had his lifetime ban suspended for 12 months...however the lad was so beside himself and in grief with guilt, he hasn't been to another game, even though he can.

McManus is completely wrong and out of order.
If he'd have just took 5 mind to ask KF this...he'd have been much wiser with his'sewer'post.