Graeme West doing book signing at Wigan Waterstones, Saturday, 11am.

Just thought I'd post this in case people didn't know!

One of Wigans unsung heroes IMHO. We built our team around this guy in the early 1980s and the rest, as they say, is history.

you're not a true wiganer unless you've been in Westy's taxi after a night in town and mithered him all the way home about how wigan Rl should be run

I wouldn't say unsung. Graeme West is arguably Wigan's most respected and best loved former players, both for what he did on and off the field.

I agree. I think there's a bit of a myth that Westie is somehow a neglected hero.

He was idolised at the time, particularly after Wembley 85, and is still instantly recognisable all around Wigan two decades after he stopped playing and a decade and a half after he stopped coaching. Everyone seems to know and love him.

But do you not agree that he was shabbily treated when they sacked him as Wigan coach ?

Ask the younger fans and they will name Offiah,Hanley and Edwards. Few raffle off westys name.

Must admit whenever i've been lucky enough to have Graeme as my chauffeur he's never had to answer the usual "what time you on till/bin busy" routine.
Always rugby related chat, great guy.

Yeah, but that was a long time ago and that administration is long gone.

Most RL fans I know, young or old, will recognise Westy in the street, and most will talk to him without any fear that he'll ignore them. The fans are the lifeblood of the club and they all know he's a top bloke. I don't think we can really call him an unsung hero.

He was Wigan's coach for arguably Wigan's greatest ever achievement - The WCC win in Brisbane. A Wigan legend. Take a bow Sir Graeme! His arrival at CP signalled the start of the club's most historic and successful period. And he is a top bloke. Forever a Wigan legend.
Not even RU's money could buy that sort of legendary status.

Like you say Cruncher, Graeme is a absolute gentleman, and in Wigan's if i may say so best era, he was the backbone of your team, and anyone lucky enough to have seen him play will agree, but when he lost the coaches job at Wigan i think he was hard done by, and this coming from a Leyther.

Heard a rumour Graeme is moving back to NZ Any truth in this?

Yeah. He is going back after Xmas and has had a
house built for when he goes back.

Cruncher, in no way at all was i having a go, i have seen Westie play many a time, i am in fact from Hindley, all my family watch Wigan, my Brother in law and nephew are season ticket holders and have been for many years, when i was younger i have been to many Wigan games, and have nothing but respect for Wigan and your fans, sorry you feel that way about me, and sorry you thought i was having a go at Wigan, i wasn't,again sorry.

He is and he is a complete gentleman. I have got a few taxis home from him in the past when I have been worse for wear. I have to say that I always felt quite sorry for him i.e driving a taxi at 3 in the morning listening to drunken idiots like me. After all that he had achieved I always felt that he should have still had a good job in the game.