Pat has been a very good servant to Wigan and rightly should be applauded for that. However club legend IMO he is not. Charnley is a far better winger that Pat is or ever was. Pat is an experienced pro who is obviously a good influence behind the scenes. Give him a good sent off, absolutely but some of this is a little OTT.

People forget he's a very good defensive winger too, wasn't Offiah a very poor defender?

not really

He was at first but Monie sorted that out.

Not sure what all the debate is about here, Richards is Superman and is a Wigan legend.

your close......to anyone who's started following Wigan in the last 10 years, ie the younger fans, he's going to be remembered as a true legend by them in 20/30 years time.

Its the older fans who dont see it that way, having been brought up on the likes of Boston, Offiah, Gill, Robinson, Dallas, Sullivan etc

It's a term too readily banded about for me, and there should be many factors considered to be able to call someone a "Club Legend". Outstanding talent for one season does not do it for me and Club legends are very few and far between. Obviously, different era's ask different things of players, and it's also very difficult to assess a players contribution until after he has left/retired, when things can be looked at coolly and dispassionately. If a player has been outstanding during your formative years, it may make him a "Club Legend" in your eyes, but thats just pure emotion.

Did he just come for a big payday at the end of his NRL career ? No
Did he have a rubbish first season? Yes.
Is he a flying winger in the Billy Whizz mould? No
Has he now lost his pace following an Achilles injury in a GF winning team? Yes

Is pat a "club Legend"? Sheesh, pretty damn close, just look at the stats!!!

I enjoyed watching Dallas more but IMO Richards (pre injury) had more weapons in his bag. He had aerial ability, strength, finishing, goal kicking, drop outs, drop goals and a very good defender. In all those departments he was ahead of Dallas IMO. He was quick too once he'd gone 20 metres but Dallas was quicker, especially off the mark and far more agile. Very different players but I'd pick Richards in a straight choice tbh

in their prime Dallas all the way

Regardless of people's opinions wether Pat is a legend or not he has been a great servant to the club and will be remembered for years to come. He didn't come over for a pay day like some Aussies do and has been loyal to the cause. Everyone has their own opinion on things so let's just show the big guy some respect and give him the best send off we can give him in recognition of his services to the club.

He could certainly chase people down and tackle them textbook. His positioning was also excellent.

However

I have always though he was a bit of a wimp when the attacker was getting prepped to steamroller him. You could see the fear in his face.

A great servant, definitely, but IMO this "legend" status is too easily bandied about. Much as I've loved watching him here, I don't think he goes in the "Hall of Fame".

Whether he's a legend or not, he's going to be a hard act to follow.

The Hall of Fame is for Super Legends though!

I've always admired Richards but, looking through the eyes of an opposition fan, I've never felt him to be such a threat that his absence would seriously undermine your chances in a game against us. I could give a list of players - past and present - that would certainly tick that box. Then again, there are players that give so much more to a side than just on-field performance. You lot are in a far better position to comment on that aspect of his spell with you.