I've taken this off the Terry Newton topic as i thought it may get lost in all the other talk on recreational drugs vs. enhancers.

What do people think turns a great player into being a Wigan legend?

I’ve seen that players like Boston, Edwards, Radders and Hanley are classed as Wigan legends but others like Newton maybe aren’t. Where do players like Bell, Offiah, Robinson, Bell or Wane fit into the equation?

Is talent alone enough to make someone a Wigan legend as that would most defiantly make Hanley Wigan’s greatest ever wouldn’t it? Or do other factors such as length of service, medals or passion to come into it?

Not to pick on Hanley to much but surly he wasn’t as loyal to the club or passionate about it as some other players have been? Although an undoubted great player he couldn’t have won any medals or awards without the rest of the great players around him right?

Vague question I know but it’s interesting to see others opinions as for me a player like Newton is a club legend. His passion for the club is never in question and his talent makes him one of the best hookers we’ve ever had. Although his length or service and medal count don’t stand up to others before him these things were arguably out of his hands right?

Again it doesn’t have to necessarily be about Newton but it applies to other players as well like the ones mentioned above.

I would think the older generation on here would be better suited to class the legends.

In the last 10 years I would say Rads, Faz and maybe Barrett.
Last 20 add Edwards, Offiah, Robinson etc

You get the fans favourites like Feka, Newton and Skerrett who are legends in some peoples eyes yet just a flash in the pan in others.

IMO if Terry Newton would have stayed at Wigan there is no reason why he wouldn't have become a legend.

In my view Barrett is about as big a legend at Wigan as Andrew Johns can be classed at Warrington.

All time legend has to be Jim Sullivan. The man took our club from also rans to the greatest club in the game that it remains today. Also built St Helens into the second greatest club on this side of the world anyway.

Newton was never good enough to be a legend in my opinion. He was always a fairly limited rugby player who often resorted to thuggery when things went against him or when players got the better of him, on other occasions he simply went missing. He wasnt a patch on Cunningham who could be considered a legend amongst the Saints fans and shouldnt be mentioned in the same breath as some of the Wigan legends you mention.

I'd argue with your placings but Jim Sullivan = Legend.

Wonder what a good definition of a legend would be in Rugby League terms - for me it's people who are remembered or will be remembered long after there time - in Wigans case players like Hanley and Edwards are definetly in that class. Players like Newton and Barrett are merely good players in a long list of other good players

Look at the legends flag, that says it all. Newton does not qualify in the top 100.

I knew you'd back me up

How do you qualify then?

What is it that turns a player into a legend?

I don't think you can quantify what makes a legend. It could be being a great player like hanley but kenny was a great player but half a season doesn't make him a Wigan legend. Time spent at the club? Well cassidy won't be a legend like radders. Passion for the club? Higham gave 100% every game but he isn't a legend.

To me it's a mixture of all of those plus, and I hate to use this term, a little bit of the x factor.

Players who I've seen and I would describe as Wigan legends are;
Edwards
Hanley
West
Farrell
Radlinski
Bell

not strictly players but legends none the less
Lindsey
Monie
Lowe

And Henderson Gill will always be a legend to me.

You've got one in your avatar.


Why do you think he is universally claimed by Wigan fans as a legend?

A legend must....

Be a talented rugby league player and be remembered and respected by OTHER fans.
Commited to which ever club/clubs he is at.
Peak for longer than the average player.
Be at a club for at least 3 years before being classed as a club legend.
Impact on the club as a whole whether that be just as a player, winning trophies, as a coach, backroom staff... etc.

Only a few players can fall into this category IMO. The word legend is used far too much IMO.

Newton, Barrett and Kenny are all fantastic players, really good players, great players. But none are legends of Wigan.

Jim Sullivan, Andy Farrell, Shaun Edwards are the three names which stick out for me.

A mixture of things i gues which would differ from individual to individual.

1st Wigan's most decorated son
2nd He wore his heart on his sleeve
3rd He was a great rugby player if not maybe as good as others tbf but still a dam fine athlete.
4th True professional in his time here.

Not all of those easily apply to all legends however. I certainly wouldn't label Hanley under any of those apart from medal count and talent.

What’s the difference for example in Boston and Offiah?

Personally I think it goes beyond respect. The word I would used is admired, that's what makes a legend IMHO.

So to answer the original question some players you liked watching play the game, a small number you admired. This of course will vary from people to people, however, there are some players, eg Radders, that are widely admired and therefore can rightly be classed as legends I think.

Bell was my hero as a kid.

and always will be a wigan legend in my mind.