I see no controversy in ex-players running pubs, but I see total comedy in Gary Schofield doing it.

Can't you just picture him behind the bar in all his cheap, tatty jewelry, with a trophy cabinet in pride of place - containing only one Yorkshire Cup medal - offering his views on everything that's happening in the world, and all of them stupid and wrong.

[i"cheap, tatty jewelry, offering his views on everything that's happening in the world, and all of them stupid and wrong."[/i

hmmmm, has anyone ever seen Garry and Cruncher in the same room, at the same time?.....

I just think it reinforces our "small time" image in comparison with other sports when top flight internationals end up working on a building site or something similar.

It happens in all sports. Only Premier League footballers earn enough money in their sporting career to be comfortable once they've stopped playing. It reflects the attitude towards education in sports in this country as whole. If you're good at sport, being good at school doesn't matter

EGW...Go and tell that to Nick DuToit who you'll find in the Hare and Hounds Billinge. I'm sure he would welcome your comments to his face.

What's wrong with being a publican?

That's the second time you've said "Go and tell that to..." Obviously you have mistaken my comments for a dig at these players. Think about it, it's actually the opposite.

Regarding Garry Schofield the player

IMO he's in the top 2 players that we have produced in this country in the last 30 years, Ellery Hanley is the other

Garry went from captaining the successful Barla u18's tour to Australasia in 1983 to being a full test player and fulfilling his contract at Hull FC within his first season as a pro, now that is some feat IMO

Before you get carried away naming today's players in SL as being world class

IMO you have to prove yourself where it matters most and that is in Australia, and both Garry and Ellery certainly did that, and on numerous occasions

World class player but sadly a bitter and twisted individual

I wouldn't bother trying to defend Schofield. He spent his last five years at Leeds doing everything in his power to get to Wigan.

"is going to be....."

Thats not the same as having been there and done it.

I remember seeing a young Leon Pryce come through I though there and then this lad was going to be the best player in a generation and would overtake the likes of Schofield, Hanley....for an 18 year old to have that much strength and ball sense I thought we had found a gem. Yes he went on to become a fine player but not quite what I thought (and I wasn't alone in thinking that).

Sam Tomkins does look a fine player but as yet he is not in the league of guys like Schofield, Hanley, Offiah and Edwards, or Jonathan Davies. If he was he would be head and shoulders above Super League and there wouldn't even be debate over should O'Loughlin be man of steel or Tomkins.

So no not in denial although I think Sam is a fine player and he is getting better and more consistent all the time, he has got some way to go to be considered along with those guys.

tomkins has been there and done it, won more larger prizes than Schofield. Do you think an aussie club would have signed him if it wasnt the off season and it had to be a long term deal as thats the difference between now and then.

Paul Wellens has won more major trophies than Sam Tomkins has had hot dinners, does this mean Wellens is a better player?

I'm not sure what this business about him going to Australia has anything to do with it....I don't say players are great just because they got signed by an Aussie club, Ian Sibbit and Chris Thorman played in Australia but I don't think they are better than Keith Senior or Lee Briers who never did.

The fact is if you are old enough to remember Schofield play you would remember he was a genuine world class player in any era of the game, and he did it over a long time period. Sam Tomkins is just a young emerging talent who has got a long way to go to match Schofield, although I accept he does appear to have the calibre to be up there at that level over the next few years.

I reckon that Schoey, Hanley etc could have signed long term contracts over there without doubt, I would have thought at any clubs too

if you don't believe me ask your daddy

Dont need to fella as I saw him myself. Why didnt they sign him for a long deal after all if you listen to him he was the messiah.

did wellens win more than sam at his age?