VERY HARD!

funnily enough, I was doing a feature on this for the next 4FS fanzine - but it never went any further as we failed to publish!



Bear with me on the length of this post, as it includes some unique perspective on players deemed 'hall of famers' prior to 1973.



The problem with this type of voting is that recent players get a dissproportionate amount of votes, because peopl vote on who they've witnessed - how do these players compare with the real greats of yesteryear? I've tried to be realistic and apply my own experiences with those of history.



I reviewed the book ‘100 Years Of Rugby – The History Of Wakefield Trinity Football Club – 1873–1973’ by J.C. Lindley with ‘personal recollections’ by D. W. Armitage. Where there was a 'Hall Of Fame' listed from the first 100 years of the clubs history - with details on why each player was included.



So – to start with, here’s the original Hall Of Fame as selected by Lindley & Armitage in 1973. Listed by their common position and year of debut:



Coach:

Ken Traill (195icon_cool.gif



Full Back:

Jimmy Metcalfe (1897), Charlie Pollard (1919), Frank Mortimer (1951),

Gerry Round (195icon_cool.gif, Gary Cooper (1966)



Wing:

Richard. ‘Dicky’ Lockwood (1895), Ted Bateson (1925), Stanley Smith (1927),

Freddie Smart (1930), Dennis Boocker (1947), Fred Smith (1955), Berwyn Jones (1964)



Centre:

C.E. ‘Teddy’ Bartram (187icon_cool.gif, Harry Hayley (circa 187icon_cool.gif, Tommy Poynton (early 1900’s),

Billy Batten (1924), Ernest Pollard (1927), Billy Stott (1944), Don Froggett (194icon_cool.gif,

Neil Fox (1955), Ian Brooke (1961)



Stand Off:

Herbert. Hutchinson (1880), Ron Rylance (1941), Harold Poynton (195icon_cool.gif,

David Topliss (196icon_cool.gif



Scrum Half:

Tommy Newbould (early 1900’s), Jonathan ‘Jonty’ Parkin (1913),

Herbert Goodfellow (1932), Keith Holliday (1952), Ray Owen (1964)



Hooker:

Sam Lee (1937), Len Marson (1939)



Prop:

Jack Wilkinson (1959), Don Fox (1965), David Jeanes (1967)



Second Row:

A.K. Crossland (1905), Bill Horton (1924), Mick Exley (192icon_cool.gif, Harry Wilkinson (1929),

Harry Murphy (1937), Don Robinson (1950), Don Vines (195icon_cool.gif, Bob Haigh (1962)



Loose Forward:

Herbert Kershaw (1905), Len Bratley (1937), Derek Turner (1959)







Based on a pro-rata basis, that meant we should expect a further 16 players to be included since 1973 - and my choice for those 16 were, based on the same criteria for the first 47 - as follows:



Andy Fletcher, Keith Smith, Andy Mason, Gareth Ellis, Wally Lewis, Nigel Wright, Mike Lampkowski, Brad Davis, David March, Trevor Skerrett, Johnny Thompson, Nigel Bell, Michael Jackson, David Solomona, Ray Price and Willie Poching.



And so – the $6,000,000 question – Trinity’s greatest side selected from the 63 Hall Of Famer’s – a tough one, but based on reading up on the centurions, having seen the last 35 years and trying to strike a balance between history and personal experience – I would go with:



Full Back: Gerry Round

Wings: Fred Smith and Berwyn Jones

Centres: Billy Batten and Neil Fox

Stand Off: David Topliss

Scrum Half: Jonty Parkin

Props: Jack Wilkinson and Trevor Skerrett

Hooker: Len Marson

Second Rows: Don Vines and David Solomona

Loose Forward: Rocky Turner

Coach: Ken Traill

I don't think that I could choose my own personal favourite 13 because when I decide some one comes along and jogs my memory a little (it's an age thing) and more players come into the reckoning. Tell you one thing though I've the greatest of respect for every player that dons the RWB, because it's my team.

I think I remember Herbert Hutchinson playing.

TBF not many in the world can catch a ball like Blaymire can.



I think Martin Pearson is worth a shout, he wasn't at Trin long but helped us a great deal, he played well above his capabilities showing the Trin spirit that until recently has kept us all coming back.

Couldn't agree more , haven't even started to try and do a best 13 . I'll have a think when I've more time .. possibly at work on Monday morning !

I picked my Greatest Trinity team some time ago using the various Wakey and general RL history books about. The team I ended up with was similar to Benny the Ball's effort posted earlier.



1. Charlie Pollard

2. Fred Smith

3. Billy Stott

4. Neil Fox

5. Dennis Booker

6. David Topliss

7. Jonty Parkin

8. Jack Wilkinson

9. Len Marson

10. Jack Booth

11. Harry Murphy

12. Don Robinson

13. Derek Turner

Difficult choices to make over the years, but based on who I have seen.



1. Gerry Round.

2. John Etty.

3. Syd Domic. just over Alan Skene.

4. Neil Fox.

5. Gert Coetzer.

6. David Topliss.

7. Geoff Bagnall.

8. David Jeanes.

9. Alan McCurrie.

10. Brian Briggs.

11. Bob Haigh.

12. David Solomona.

13. Derek Turner.



No reserves for me the first 13 was hard enough.

Can't disagree with any of those choices Chissitt. A few more of mine to throw into the mix: Geoff Wraith FB, I also liked Gary Cooper as an attacking force; Keith Slater on the wing; Matt McCleod (sp); Ray Owen; the big back rower we bought from Fev who was injured one Good Friday match and had part of his leg amputated (Peter?), played it hard with blockbusting runs; Trevor Skerret; Graham Idle (tackling machine); Bill Ashurst; not with us long the zip-zip man Steve Ella; Ray Price.

I'm gonna have to have a lie down now

I'm sure more will come to mind. Just can't choose.

David Jeanes, great player.

Nearly chose Gary Cooper over Gerry Round tbh, do you remember Colin Greenwood from SA he doubled up at full back and stand off. As for wingers Kenny Battye David Barends Fred and Stan Smith,Jan Prinsloo and as for the forwards I think that is even harder to select. If I am honest given the time I could pick 4or5 great sides from the past, but one thing they would all have in common is that they would all have to include Fox,Topliss and Haigh for me anyway.

Not from me mate, Shelford was a top class prop.



My two all time greats are Fox and Topliss not only for their ability but also their longevity at the club. Skillwise, Keith Smith had everything but didn't last long.



Although not a "great" to me, good to see Andy Mason 's name cropping up. A typical latter day Trinity stalwart all heart, guts and passion.A highly educated man, was he a solicitor?,some of his prosaic and flowery teamtalks went way over several,shall we say less educated, heads.



He was also the first player I remember who did the warm up routine out on the pitch prior to kick off.

Sadly as I was born in 1985, I did not have the privilidge of seeing the likes of Neil Fox, Rocky Turner, Fishcake Poynton, Toppo to name but a few, however there aew still a very worthy XIII to choose from:



FB: Colum Halpenny - Tall, pacey and collected, perfect fullback material if ever it existed.

LW: Semi Tadulala - Recovered well after a shakey start to become a cult hero with Trinity.

LC: Gareth Ellis - Out and out enthusiasm meant that he was destined for captaincy and beyond...

RC: Sid Domic - For two seasons, his combination with David Solomona was largely unstoppable.

RW: Aaron Murphy - A highly talented youngster with time on his side to get even better.

SO: Jamie Rooney - On his day an acclaimed kicker and wonderful support player.

SH: Danny Brough - Controversial choice, but somebody capable changing the course of a game in an instant.

PF: Adam Watene - Committed to every cause, line break and tackle.

HK: Sam Obst - A playing who punches way above his weight (and height!).

PF: Michael Korkidas - Breaks as tough as he hits.

SR: Willie Poching - A real fans favourite and a fine leader through the tough times of 2000 and 2001.

SR: David Solomona - One of the most skillful players (and entertaining) ever seen at Belle Vue.

LF: Jason Demetriou - While other players came and went during his arrival in 2004, Demetriou stayed loyal and true to the cause.



So this the XIII to start from, with apologies to David & Paul March, Olivier Elima, Nigel Bell, Francis Stephenson and others...

players i have seen



1,gary cooper

2,ken hirst

3,keith smith

4,neil fox

5,keith slater

6,harold poynton

7,ray owen

8,john burke

9,bernard prior

10,don fox

11,bill ashurst

12,peter harrison

13,derek turner



14,mike lampkowski

15,gerry round

16,rob valentine

17,ray price