Whilst leafing through Wikipedia I came across the playing record of an ex-player of ours and was stunned.
Oliver Wilkes
20 seasons, the majority in SL
11 clubs
495 games.
I've never understood the term 'journeyman' but if I were to define it, he's a player who spends his career making up the numbers at any club that will have him. That's not Ollie, he IMHO gave great service to every club he played for, didn't always work out but he had the ability even if he could be a bit of a blunt instrument at times. He always gave 100%.
11 different coaches/clubs thought him worth signing and signing as a first-team player, not a squad filler. He played nearly 500 games and lasted 20 years in the game. That is one hell of a player in my book and worth anyone's respect.
Anyone think of any more, though I don't expect then to be quite as expansive as Wilkes. One club men like Belly and JT don't count, they are a different breed altogether imo.
Whilst leafing through Wikipedia I came across the playing record of an ex-player of ours and was stunned.
Oliver Wilkes
20 seasons, the majority in SL
11 clubs
495 games.
I've never understood the term 'journeyman' but if I were to define it, he's a player who spends his career making up the numbers at any club that will have him. That's not Ollie, he IMHO gave great service to every club he played for, didn't always work out but he had the ability even if he could be a bit of a blunt instrument at times. He always gave 100%.
11 different coaches/clubs thought him worth signing and signing as a first-team player, not a squad filler. He played nearly 500 games and lasted 20 years in the game. That is one hell of a player in my book and worth anyone's respect.
Anyone think of any more, though I don't expect then to be quite as expansive as Wilkes. One club men like Belly and JT don't count, they are a different breed altogether imo.
I really rated Ollie, hard working no nonsense prop and thought there was at least another season in him at Wakefield, a great servant to the game of RL overall.
Joined: Sat Oct 04, 2008 9:10 am Posts: 13817 Location: wakefield
Big lads mate wrote:
I really rated Ollie, hard working no nonsense prop and thought there was at least another season in him at Wakefield, a great servant to the game of RL overall.
He lived near some friends of mine and I had quite a few conversations with him over a few beers. First think you get from him he doesn't fit the rugby league blunt instrument stereotype image. He's actually a bright guy.
He went back to Cumbria to be closer to family when he started his own young family.
And an absolute cleaning freak too.
A dog is not considered a good dog because he is a good barker. A man is not considered a good man because he is a good talker - Buddha
He lived near some friends of mine and I had quite a few conversations with him over a few beers. First think you get from him he doesn't fit the rugby league blunt instrument stereotype image. He's actually a bright guy.
He went back to Cumbria to be closer to family when he started his own young family.
And an absolute cleaning freak too.
Blunt instrument referred to his style of play not his personality.
Joined: Mon Aug 05, 2002 11:01 pm Posts: 8179 Location: Standing on the heads of Giants
When Widnes failed to get promotion by losing to Cas in 2007 a few of their squad wanted away and we picked Wilkes and Grix ( ) up. I thought at the time that Jordan James would be a better signing than Wilkes but I think Wilkes proved a good signing.
This world was never meant for one as beautiful as me.
WTRLC 2012 to 2014 "The wasted years"
Magic Weekend "Whipping Boys" 2013, 2014 & 2015
2017 - The year the dream disappeared under Grix's right foot.
Joined: Sat Oct 04, 2008 9:10 am Posts: 13817 Location: wakefield
vastman wrote:
Blunt instrument referred to his style of play not his personality.
You don't need to roll your eyes like a little school girl. That stereotype is how blunt instruments would generally be seen. It's not always about you.
A dog is not considered a good dog because he is a good barker. A man is not considered a good man because he is a good talker - Buddha
You don't need to roll your eyes like a little school girl. That stereotype is how blunt instruments would generally be seen. It's not always about you.
Leeds
