Quote: threepennystander "There's some players who even as a opposing fan you just can't help respect and like. Ellis and Houghton obviously fit that mould for a lot of non hull supporters. For myself James Roby is a perfect example of a player I can't ever remember getting angry at. Even when he's scored trys against us ( and there's been plenty ) I find myself being angry we've allowed it more than anything. Most players are decent guys and some simply don't help themselves. Kelly falls into the latter for kr fans just as cookie did for us. I used to hate barrie mac when he played for leeds but after reading his book and then meeting him found him to be a top bloke. It's pantomime at the end of the day. In every great story you need someone to love and route for and someone to hate.'"
Excellent post - we all have players who we dislike when they play against our teams. Cunningham at Saints would score from acting half and you knew it was coming but couldn't be prevented. He was always respected though. Chase, on the other hand who is a brilliant player, is despised because of his personality which shows in his play. Many supporters would be happy to see him injured. Kelly let Rovers down very badly when they needed him most and left Hudgell with no other option but to sack him. The result was a much weaker Rovers team with two vital games to play both of which were lost by one point. I and many others believe we would have remained in super league had he not gone walkabout. He would have been loathed wherever he went but going to the dark side only makes it easier to wish him bad fortune. This is not peculiar to Rovers fans, Cookie actually feared for his own safety for a while from angry FC fans. As you say it's all a pantomime.
