Quote: coco the fullback "On reflection I think you're correct, it's not just about the money. Then again, it is a limiting factor. You can't be successful in the professional era without money, but money doesn't guarantee success, especially in a salary-capped sport. If I were a multi-millionaire I could buy a stadium and facilities, but I couldn't just buy the best 25 players in the world.
So, the question really is, "what makes a club successful?"
From the data, I think we can safely say that Wigan have been a more successful club than Wakefield over the last 126 years. What is it about them that maintains that level of success? It has to be more than the modern requirements of facilities and youth structure because they've achieved it in every era, not just the fully professional one. What stops Warrington from being 'successful'?
Other clubs, like Wakefield, have been at the top in certain eras when all the stars align, such as Swinton, Oldham or Salford.
What's special about Wigan (other successful clubs are available) Is it their refusal to accept failure or mediocracy? Pride? Tradition?
Maybe Leeds are the model to follow? They only won 3 championships before 2004 (61, 69 & 72) an nothing before the 60s, much like Wakefield. Maybe they've always been a big club, just an unsuccessful one until recently.'"
Well ironically Leeds threw money about like there was no tomorrow in the 80's & 90's, all those big name players, yet like you say from 2004 having invested in youth, became successful, with the likes of McGuire, Burrow, Sinfield etc, etc. Being successful occasionally is obviously far easier than sustaining it over 10, 20 years. I would just settle for what Salford have done recently! I started mid 80's as a kid, what have we done? Won the Yorkshire cup in '92 & the First division G/F in '98..............think that's it?!