[PopTart]

Neil Fox 81 today : Mon May 04, 2020 7:03 am  

The force is strong in this one.

How about, instead of all the politics we share Neil Fox stories on this thread.

I'm not old enough to have seen him play for Trinity in his pomp. I was at Belle Vue for his testamonial which I certainly didn't appreciate when you see the players that played.
I have a great memory of him at Odsal in 78 when, nearing the end of his career he scored two tries against the touring Kangeroo team.

Now, I'm lucky enough to speak to him at the club along with the other legends and just hang on every word he says. A great man and a great ambassador for Wakefield Trinity.

I once worked out that Sinfield, being top points scorer in Super League with the opportunity of playing in nearly every playoff game and kicking in an extremely dominant side, in Super Rugby, with a lighter ball..... Would still have to play something like 8 more years to catch Neil's record.

Re: Neil Fox 81 today : Mon May 04, 2020 8:23 am  

It will be a record that will never be beaten highest points scorer in rugby league

Happy birthday Neil

Re: Neil Fox 81 today : Mon May 04, 2020 8:38 am  

PopTart wrote:

The force is strong in this one.

How about, instead of all the politics we share Neil Fox stories on this thread.

I'm not old enough to have seen him play for Trinity in his pomp. I was at Belle Vue for his testamonial which I certainly didn't appreciate when you see the players that played.
I have a great memory of him at Odsal in 78 when, nearing the end of his career he scored two tries against the touring Kangeroo team.

Now, I'm lucky enough to speak to him at the club along with the other legends and just hang on every word he says. A great man and a great ambassador for Wakefield Trinity.

I once worked out that Sinfield, being top points scorer in Super League with the opportunity of playing in nearly every playoff game and kicking in an extremely dominant side, in Super Rugby, with a lighter ball..... Would still have to play something like 8 more years to catch Neil's record.

First of all, happy birthday Neil! and, thanks for the memories!
I was lucky enough to see Neil Fox all through the great 60's and he was an awesome player. In most games you waited for the magic to happen because you just knew he would do something special.
As far as Sinfield goes, there is also one other consideration in that the point scoring was less, of course, in those days, 3 points for a try not 4.
I am still at a total loss as to why this great man's statue is not amongst those at Wembley ! absolutely unjust!
Perhaps when our own stadium gets the facelift something could be started to have a statue, or some sort of recognition put in place at BV?

Re: Neil Fox 81 today : Mon May 04, 2020 8:44 am  

A true gentleman, always has time for a word . Happy birthday Neil. Simply the best.

Re: Neil Fox 81 today : Mon May 04, 2020 9:49 am  

Was also lucky to to be able to follow the ‘great man’s rugby career as being taken to watch Trinity by my Dad in the 50s more or less coincided with Neil’s debut..
Was simply an awe inspiring hero to me and my mates.
The dip of the shoulder to bump off the would be tackler, the classic ‘dummy’, swerve and side step and deceptive pace. Always remarkable to me that his kicking foot went above shoulder height after contact.
A true Rugby League legend and gentleman.
Happy birthday great man from one Sharlstoner to another.
Oh and yes an absolute disgrace he was not included in the Wembley statue.

Re: Neil Fox 81 today : Mon May 04, 2020 10:36 am  

My Dad has loads of memories of him. Personally, I never saw him play, but I've sat with him many a time at dinners and the Wakefield literary festival at the Red Shed. He's such an unassuming bloke, he almost makes you feel like the guest!

Happy Birthday, Neil.

Re: Neil Fox 81 today : Mon May 04, 2020 10:45 am  

Absolute top bloke and true RL Legend.
Many happy returns !

Re: Neil Fox 81 today : Mon May 04, 2020 11:40 am  

Happy birthday Neil thanks for the memories, may the 4th be with you.

[PopTart]

Re: Neil Fox 81 today : Mon May 04, 2020 11:56 am  

One story that should be mentioned is that he kicked more goals than recorded.
He told me he went for an off season to play in New Zealand as I think an option to go to Oz didn't come through but because the NZ league wasn't recognised in the international list at that stage his points aren't recorded in the record. So it's even more unassailable.

Re: Neil Fox 81 today : Mon May 04, 2020 12:41 pm  

I watched him as a member of the last Gt Britain team to win the Ashes in England in 1959. He did not play in the first match which GB lost but then partnered Eric Ashton in the next 2 wins.

I was then at Wembley in 1960 when he scored 20 points in the CC final in a demolition of Hull FC. A prolific points scorer over his career.