Quote: *1865* "Whiteley.
Has anyone even come close to his achievements since? If it ends up as anyone else it'll make a mockery of this team.'"
Agreed, whilst knocker is an obvious contender and with all due respect to those saying it's obvious, there's only one winner etc I think Whiteley just outperforms him by a smidge in pretty much every department.
In many respects Mich Crane was the most talented, just not the most professional, we saw some great stuff by Smithy but not quite enough for him to get the nod.
So for me Johnny Whiteley MBE gets my vote.
Other Hull players from the past that should get a mention are;
Steve Darmody, the Australian international signed at the end of the 1911/12 tour effectively sealing his fate of more rep honours. Sadly only two seasons with us but part of the 1914 cup winning team & WWI put paid to the rest of his career, was wounded & lost a foot whilst with the Transport Corps but later joined the RFC and flew with an artificial leg!
Also Harold Ellerington, 'Elmo' as he was known started out on the wing and played in every back position during his first 3 seasons before settling at Loose man. Became Hull captain and during his 11 seasons played 267 games with 51 tries and 2 goals. Whilst only a championship medal for the 35/36 season (though away with the GB squad he got a medal for his 31 appearances that season) & one losers medal from a Yorkshire cup defeat in which he was MoM for his gutsy display Harold was selected for the GB squad on numerous occasions but never got his test 'cap'. Played 11 tour games in total as well as 2 England and 1 Yorkshire appearance before the outbreak of WWII ended his career. Latterly became a director during the successful 1950s era.
So to [iSir[/i Johnny Whiteley 15 Test/World Cup appearances for Great Britain which is MORE than Vinty Karalious, if weren't for VK and Derek 'Rocky' Turner two outstanding loose/locks Whiteley would be the most capped GB player. Selected for the 1954 GB world cup squad but didn't play(Dave Nightingale played all four)
Selected and played in the 1958 tour squad that retained the Ashes in Australia scoring a try in the third test.
He was a member of the last G.B. squad to beat Australia on home soil in the 1959 test series scoring the try that beat the Aussies
He repeated the feat again scoring the vital winning try in the last few minutes in the 1960 ashes triumph.
Member of the 1962 G.B. team (regarded by many as the greatest ever touring team) which won the ashes in Australia.
417 appearances over 15 years, 156 tries & 2 goals, MBE though a knighthood would be far more appropriate for all he has done.
The word legend is bandied about far too easily these days, there was never a more appropriate moment to accurately describe someone, the man is black & white to the core, a gentleman and as great a rugby player as you would want in the 13 jersey a god amongst equals.
sorry knocker but thems the breaks.