I posted this on redvee last night following some things posted there and i think it works as a response to some of the posts/opinions here including Chair's about a slight bias toward certain generations.
I think it is much easier for us to look back at players like Newlove who played as part of a succesful team and perhaps put a gloss on our memories of them as a result of the team's achievements during their tenure, much in the same way that the youngest generation of Saints fans are doing with Jamie Lyon right now. These players were undoubtedly terrific, stand-out players in their sides who gave a great service to the red vee during but to include them in such lists in my opinion does a disservice to players like Alan Hunte, Anthony Sullivan, and Paul Loughlin who whilst not costing world record fees or being media darlings contributed no less (and often more in terms of points, tries and appearances and more) to the Saints' cause.
I think the danger we have with players being added or omitted is that we end up with the majority of them being from a) the sixties/early-mid 70's and b) the late 90's/ early 00's. Of course this is understandable as these periods were probably our most successful, but lets not forget the periods in between when despite a lack of dominance we still managed to compete and win trophies, and there are players of that period that deserve to be held in equally high esteem be it as captains of the club, high points scorers, or players who played the majority if not all of their career at the club etc.
The 'Legend' status is undoubtably subjective at the best of times and whilst players like Newlove brought something special to the sides they played in i'd suggest their status as 'fans favourites' doesn't necessarily afford them Legendary status at the club.
The 'Legend' status is undoubtably subjective at the best of times and whilst players like Newlove brought something special to the sides they played in i'd suggest their status as 'fans favourites' doesn't necessarily afford them Legendary status at the club.
I think it is much easier for us to look back at players like Newlove who played as part of a succesful team and perhaps put a gloss on our memories of them as a result of the team's achievements during their tenure, much in the same way that the youngest generation of Saints fans are doing with Jamie Lyon right now. These players were undoubtedly terrific, stand-out players in their sides who gave a great service to the red vee during but to include them in such lists in my opinion does a disservice to players like Alan Hunte, Anthony Sullivan, and Paul Loughlin who whilst not costing world record fees or being media darlings contributed no less (and often more in terms of points, tries and appearances and more) to the Saints' cause.
