I don't wish to permanently play devil's advocate today, but, though Murph was a thorn in the side for Wiganers for much of his playing and coaching career, quite a few credit him with being the spark that began our revival.

I remember an interview with Shaun Edwards, in which he fulsomely praised the likes of Graham Lowe and John Monie, but said that Alex Murphy was the first coach he played under for whom losing was "not an option". For the first time in ages, the idea was reintroduced into the Wigan dressing room that anything less than being the best was unacceptable. Murphy's Wigan team were the only side in Britain who came close to beating the Aussie 'Untouchables' of 1982.

I'd agree with that, factually, Cruncher, but I never could and still can't stand the man. Pure personal prejudice, I'm afraid. Sorry.

I'd back you up on this Cruncher. he transformed the attitude at the time. Though his methods might look dated now, at the time he was a motivator supreme and the catalyst for the 1983 JPS win that was the forerunner to the later run of trophies. I still recall Anthony H. Wilsons piece on Granada Reports prior to the 1984 Cup Final - 'Alex Murphy has not just woken a sleeping giant at Wigan - he's kicked it out of bed!'

Going off those clips that Tony Johnson for Huddersfield looked a handful. Seemed to me that Wigan stopped him using the old philosophy that they can't run without their heads, which caused all the aggro. That's going off a few 40-second clips though. Some shocking play-the-balls going on as well. Rogues would have had a field day!

We sold Fairbairn for a world record fee and bought about 5 or 6 players with the money, most of whom(i think) went on to win the JPS 83. I always associated the sale of Fairbairn as the first seed towards greatness. (even though selling Fairbairn at the time would not have seemed that way!)

Have a butcher of this 8 Clips to watch. Please view them all; it is priceless. viewtopic.php?f=26&t=471700

Have a butcher of this 8 Clips to watch. Please view them all; it is priceless. viewtopic.php?f=26&t=471700

Watched it last week, brutal.

Wigan signed the Huddersfield coach, Bamford, at the end of that season because Huddersfield were so ferocious (but so were Wigan).

Was there any specific reason why Tony Johnson was "roughly treated" ?

Probably cause it was 1981 and he was 'different'.

Sad but true.

Shocking stuff he looked like a classy player too

That clip where he is on the floor after a tackle and a Wigan player looks like he is trying to pull his head off He must of been hard as nails to withstand that!

The lad in the clips - Tony Johnson , was the bloke who got me interested in RL , he spoke 'fondly' about his experience in that game !!!