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.

Pat Richards is a legend in my eyes because there is more to that status than simply his skills as a player (though see later for my opinion on that). Things like commitment and attitude count. Players like Gene Miles were better players. So was Barrett and I am glad I got to see those two amongst many other talented players play for Wigan but they aren't legends. They weren't here long enough to reach that status and commitment to the club is IMO certainly a prerequisite for legendary status.

Pat Richards came here for all the right reasons. He just won a GF back home in Oz and could have stayed there but he chose to use the opportunity his skills gave him to sample a different life overseas. That was his prime reason for coming here and that is something I admire.

When he got here he didn't wimp out and want to run off home as soon as it rained. He even signed new contracts and honoured them. Something else to be admired.

He has also never given the impression of being anything else other than a true professional. I can't remember one rumour about him falling out with any coach, player or any off-field antics that would sour his reputation.

On the field I think the opinions in this thread are being coloured by his recent form and he certainly is slower than he was but once he was moved to the wing from centre in his first season I think he has been an excellent modern day type of winger. I even remember Dallas, who was out injured, being quoted as fearing he wouldn't get his place back given how Richard's went on the wing. That was in Richard's first season when he was supposed to be poor. He wasn't; he was only poor until he was moved to the wing. His goal kicking speaks for itself and he has won MoS when the [iplayers[/i voted for him to win that award IIRC. I think there is a lot of damning with faint praise going on here regarding his ability as a player.

Was Offiah a better winger? Yes but he was a freak. I watched Ferguson as well (who I reckon was the best of the lot of those who I have actually seen) but like many Aussies of that era he was only a part time Wiganer. IMO Richards is easily in the same bracket as Henderson Gill and given Richards commitment and professionalism over his time here it is a no brainer for me to view him as a legend.

Whilst I don't disagree with a lot of your assessment, I don't think he is a legend. A great servant to the club, a nice bloke, but not a legend.

For me a winger has to be someone who, if you give them a clean run in to the line, they will convert 95% of the time. Richards was never that player.

We are going to struggle replacing his kicking though, that's for sure, and there are times when this has won us the match.