You have to appreciate something with Sean Long. What you see is what you get. He's an individual, a 'character' of the sport. He's flamboyant and an egotist and audacious and as such he can be both brilliant and a pain in the Rse. His kicking this season has been dire, yes, but then there was the match at Catalans for us when we were losing and he kicked I think it was three from the touchline on his 'wrong' foot. That helped us win the match, along with Wheeler and his brilliant final try.

My bet is that no-one could tell you whether Longy is bothered or not about leaving Saints. He may be as gutted as he recently claimed he would be if he had to leave or he may not. He is too much of an individual to let anyone but those closest to him know such stuff. But if he is at peace with his decision then you will get a very hardworking player in Long and a still gifted one, both with his boot and in his ability to organise round the park. Sure, we have had the best of him (though his kicking has never been reliable, even at his peak) but he still has at least one good year left in him.

Taking on any new player is a risk but at least with Longy everyone has seen what he is capable of, both negative and positive, so Hull have done this with their eyes open. If your coach has given Long fairly free reign when it comes to organising your team around the park then my guess is Longy will go well for you.

True mate,plus we have young lads coming up who aren't going to wait forever for a chance.The club would have been happy for Longy to take up the one year contract but,because of the service he has given,they allowed him to try for a better deal elsewhere.He may be getting on a bit(in rugby terms)but he can still lead a team around the park(just don't throw him the kicking tee

)

thank for your comments talk a lot of sense in that

Thanks for that. Makes me feel even better about the signing.

I for n am looking forward to his input on the betting thread!!!

Don't forget that he spent a good deal of time out because of the behaviour of others.

Costin did his knee. Newton smashed his face in. Same would have happened to any other player in that position.

Thats another player who i really really "DISLIKED" who we have signed along with Calderwood,who next ? Wellens,Pryce,Maguire,Bailey,


A player who i have abused (verbally) and now i have to cheer him ........
Oh well as long as it brings success and must be 70% better then what we have got turning up for us at the moment in the SH position.
Im so fickle and admit it..As long as he gets his bloody haircut he looks a mess


not a bad signing i suppose

Anyone think this smells like the alan hunte "coup"

and he'll be 33 you know


Heard a rumour today that James Rule is checking on the availability of a spritely Wally Lewis after he was told he used to be an international.....

Your so right - this signing may just have got this supporter thinking about buying my season pass next .
I am also going to the bookies and having a tenner on Sean Long to win the Lance Todd Trophy in 2010

How old is stanley????

Which other players would they be ???

I didn't initially think he was a good signing either but that depends on these others perhaps ??

Pretty much an ever present in Hull FC terms

are these players part of the takeover?

That doesn`t count,he plays for Rovers,ergo he is untouchable.

Your guess is as good as mine!

ok cheers.

Pros:
An organising 7. Finally.
Inspirational, game changing player (when he puts his mind to it)
Very good kicking game.
Will bring massive experience, both "big game" but also how Saints set-up works
Sounds keen to come and is talking of buying a house in Hull already
Another annoying niggly player (like Calderwood)- we need more of these
Sounds interested in a semi-coaching role - our young players will learn a lot from him, him and Fitz will be 2 players commanding respect in the squad
Would be a great partnership with Horne

Cons:
Age
Past off the field stuff (betting, abandoning the GB tour)


On balance, seems a reasonable signing.

Long and Fozzard are both 32. Thanks for your concern though.

That could also be a positive as far as pre season training goes

Hull KR Dobson

At the moment no-body seems to give a toss, hopefully Long and Fitzgibon will knock a few heads together. I can't stand the fact we're shoe-ins for the 'fair play award', it just sums up our performances - weak.

I would like to see Horne given the opportunity to play along side Long, his running game could finally meet its potential.

I've said it loads of times, but Shayne McMenemy was our best player of recent years in terms of aggression and just generally being a pain in the ass for the opposition. We're too nice.

eastmond innit