Respect : Mon Mar 23, 2009 10:46 am  

In testing times it is loveley to see all the respects shown to Leon on these forums, i for one would like to extend this away from the forums. Maybe at this coming weeks games we can show all the players respect no matter who they play for. When the teams enter the field just think about the dangers they put themselves through for us and show them how much we care.

Re: Respect : Mon Mar 23, 2009 10:53 am  

Barry Clegg 2nd wrote:

In testing times it is loveley to see all the respects shown to Leon on these forums, i for one would like to extend this away from the forums. Maybe at this coming weeks games we can show all the players respect no matter who they play for. When the teams enter the field just think about the dangers they put themselves through for us and show them how much we care.

: Mon Mar 23, 2009 10:53 am  

well said !!!

its like when people cheer when a player gets injured, dont do it, because although it may just look like an injury to the fans the reality is that player your mocking for lying on the ground may actually be fighting for his life unsuccesfully while your cheering.
rugby league fans are the friendliest, greatest set of people in the world - lets keep it that way !

: Mon Mar 23, 2009 11:46 am  

So maybe i shouldn't be shouting "rip his spleeeeeeen out" anymore. Not really in the spirit of the game.

: Mon Mar 23, 2009 11:51 am  

Best one Ive heard from a Rovers fan is Banjo him !!!!!........would that be a full size banjo or a ukulele banjo that player has managed to get onto the pitch to hit him with !!

: Mon Mar 23, 2009 11:52 am  

How about in every game this weekend the teams come out together rather than away team first?

: Mon Mar 23, 2009 11:52 am  

Good post BC.

We have had a few incidents of 'abuse' hurled towards players and coaches at BV, and when we're talking about a sporting occassion, it is not warranted. I hope this situation brings our some maturity in some folk!

: Mon Mar 23, 2009 12:35 pm  

Irregs #16 wrote:

How about in every game this weekend the teams come out together rather than away team first?

I don't recall doing anything similar for Watene, did we?

would be a good jesture

: Mon Mar 23, 2009 12:57 pm  

Well said Barry. I think players like Leon are the unknown soldiers of RL (sport in general). Probably not destined for stardom though that was never certain in this case or others, however without them those who do go all the way wouldn't have a game to play.

Same applies to fans, until this morning I didn't even know what Leon looked like, in fact during a recent friendly I was convinced that another player was Leon and judged him accordingly. Understandably we all concentrate on the star players, RL is entertainment after all. However we need the foot soldiers, and the next time any of us (myself included) refer to players as gash, or second raters etc etc maybe after this we will show a little respect - not that when we all occasionally mouth off means we are bad people I don't want to appear judgemental and I'm trying not to generalise. They can't all be Paul Sculthorpes but they all bleed and they all hurt and they are all some ones son.

As I said I didn't know Leon at all, but I suspect he got very little monetary reward or fame for playing RL, at least not whilst still alive. Players like him clearly do it for love and the hope that maybe one day they will get their chance. Not in this case and that's the unfairest thing of all, today there isn't much joy in RL.

: Mon Mar 23, 2009 1:06 pm  

a good lad. went though every age group at Churwell in the same team as Aaron Murphy and Luke Blake. Mostly coached by Luke's dad but in their age 6/7 years debut season by me. he always looked the business even at 6. a scaffolder by trade, so a pretty dangerous day job.
I'm pretty shook up by it.