I see many players I watched get mentioned in this thread such as legends such Dean Bell which I agree with but what about Frano Botica?

Without him we simply would not have won the number of trophies we did. Contrary to popular myth we didn't walk away with every game by 30 points or more for a decade and his boot was the difference in winning some close games, trophies and titles.

For the younger generation if you think Richards is good Botica was even better in that he tended rarely to have an off day and drop to say 70 or 80% accuracy.

Dave

brett Dallas only retired 2 years ago, so most of us saw him play yet its page 3 before he gets a mention. Will he even get a mention in 5 years?

He was a good player who gave his best for the club, but a legend? no

Barratt - legend? dont make me laugh! and how dare you mention him in the same sentence as the Bostons, Edwards and Hanleys
almost 2 seasons for us (though did seem to miss more than a few through injury - correct me if Im wrong) and for many others went MIA. While he was often the best player on the pitch for us (which TBH was not hard), the odd flash of brillance, a legend does not make.

I would say Dean Bell is much more of a legend than Robinson. I'll always remember him leading the team out at wembley to holding out for a hero. As a young lad absoloutely idolised him.

To be classed as legend I think he's fantastic kicking would have to matched by his all round play. Despite being a good player, I don't think he is any where near 'legend' status.

What about the long suffering fans from the 70's. Only 4 guys deserve a mention, although none can really be described as true legends - George Fairbairn and Bob Irving who always gave 100% amongst much inferior teammates; Bill Ashurst (2nd stint ended in tears) and Green Vigo (incredible talent who was handled incredibly badly) who both really should have gone on to be legends. Vigo is of course a legend off the field.

It's an intriguing debate. For me, I've always maintained Hanley was the greatest player of the game I've ever seen. Passion for the club is one thing but a true professional can get by without that because he will always have passion for what he does. Hanley, to me, always gave his best for Wigan when he was at Wigan - maybe he didn't have quite the emotional attachment to the club that some others did (although me might have, he's always been a man who keeps a lid on things) but it didn't matter because he had a clear passion to be the best he could at whatever he did. Couple that with his talent and, as another poster remarked, you got a player who was capable of turning games more or less single-handed. Moreover, he was a man who other great players looked up to in the same way we, as fans, look up to our favourite players.

I've never understood why Dallas gets mentioned in the Legends bracket. Is he more deserving than the likes of O'Connor or Cassidy or Cowie (committed players who slogged their guts out for Wigan!). Just a talented pro with 1 winners medal, never a legend IMO.

Are you saying Dallas wasn't committed and didn't slog his guts for Wigan? The man was one of the bravest players I've seen in the C&W and never gave less than 100%. The fact he only won 1 medal was completely undeserved. He would've got in any top side throughout his career.

Now I didn't say he wasn't committed did I? Being a committed and brave player isn't enough to warrant legend status IMO.

Ashurst is also an of field legend.

born again christian landlord running a rough house pub in ince.
rumour has it that big Billy used to read a verse from the bible to em before taking em outside and beating the crap out of them..

he doesnt any more.

he HAD the longneck (anderton arms) in ince green lane , after learning his trade in the squirrel (now last orders) as barman/bouncer

Agree with Dave O. If Barrett had've dragged us to an unlikely Challenge Cup win he'd have gone down as a legend like Brett Kenny.