: Wed Jan 07, 2009 11:47 am  

LEEDSLEADS. wrote:

A stark contrast to the Ellery who during his rugby career at the height of his "stardom", the one who wouldn't talk to the media or sign autographs for kids

I was a kid at the height of Ellery's stardom and I can catagorically state that he was perfectly happy to sign autographs!!

: Wed Jan 07, 2009 4:40 pm  

Regardless of other alleged failings Hanley was the in my view the greatest British RL player of his generation.
To score 40 tries as forward for us as he did at the end of his career was a truly remarkable feat.
What I can never know is what it must been like to grow up in the 70s as a black teenager when programmes such as Love thy Neighbour were gaining massive TV ratings?

: Wed Jan 07, 2009 5:23 pm  

Vic Mackey wrote:

I was a kid at the height of Ellery's stardom and I can catagorically state that he was perfectly happy to sign autographs!!

I to was a kid at the height of Ellery's stardom, and I had an autograph, but I had to work for it!!

He used to come out of the players tunnel on the cricket side, and "power walk" to his Mitsubishi Shogun, where as every other player would sign autographs for the kids and be friendly enough he was the opposite.

: Wed Jan 07, 2009 5:34 pm  

LEEDSLEADS. wrote:

I to was a kid at the height of Ellery's stardom, and I had an autograph, but I had to work for it!!

He used to come out of the players tunnel on the cricket side, and "power walk" to his Mitsubishi Shogun, where as every other player would sign autographs for the kids and be friendly enough he was the opposite.

I recall Schoie having a Shogun, cruising round Rothwell and Middleton, giving it the big 'I Am'.

Fair enough, he was at one point.

He tried a similar act in the Black Bull, a few Friday nights ago. Bruce Forsythe impressions thrown in for good measure as well. A truely depressing fall from grace.

: Sun Jan 11, 2009 5:14 pm  

LEEDSLEADS. wrote:

I to was a kid at the height of Ellery's stardom, and I had an autograph, but I had to work for it!!

He used to come out of the players tunnel on the cricket side, and "power walk" to his Mitsubishi Shogun, where as every other player would sign autographs for the kids and be friendly enough he was the opposite.

I met Ellery as a kid numerous times, hanging around the players entrance for hours after a match if needs be, and he always signed aotographs and chatted to kids. He was often a bit 'odd' - not quite straightforward - saying cliche stuff like 'stay in school' and 'be good for your mum'. Sounds funny now but I always thought there was something about him that meant if you didn't do what he said, he'd come and get you! - As far as I was concerned at the time, Hanley was the closest thing to a megastar I could imagine and I made sure I did what he said. He might have his faults but I bumped into Andy Greg a few years ago and let's just say, all the respect I had for him as a kid (as much as we grew up knowing what he was like) was shattered in an instant.

If nothing else, it'll make it bearable gettin to see Hanley make a tit of himself when you're inevitably forced to watch the dross by the missus anyway!

: Sun Jan 11, 2009 6:48 pm  

One of the finest players ever seen on rugby field.

He was wise enough to invest his money during his playing days - unlike some of his peer group - although his solicitor did do a runner with it and Sean Edwards' too? good job the legal indemnity scheme is in place.

It seems as he only plays tennis these days so why not get a few grand for what could be a few short weeks of work?

Not as dumb as some would have you believe

: Sun Jan 11, 2009 7:13 pm  

Looks hilarious. Only watching it for him mind...

Even though its only a mention, atleast it gets rugby league a bit of national publicity for the right reasons.

: Sun Jan 11, 2009 7:40 pm  

Holly

: Sun Jan 11, 2009 7:56 pm  

far too camp for words

: Sun Jan 11, 2009 7:56 pm  

"A Beautiful sport"