I see Leigh have signed Gareth "Barnstorming, Eye Gouging, Head Kneeing" Hock. Class player on his day but you obviously get the ill disciplined side (currently banned for 6 games 2 games after a 7 game ban) that I can't see Rowley coaching out of him. Worringly he could be a belting addition to an already big pack, I just hope Leigh have got him on a pay per play.

I know he comes with a lot of baggage but i was quietly hoping he would end up here.

Almost surreal, a second tier club signing an international class second rower. It speak volumes about Leigh's ambitions but also speaks volumes about Hock's career as well.

As a side note I think he is still under investigation about comments he made on Twitter so the reality is his ban could be doubled and he could end up missing a fair chunk of the season.

I know he is running out of places to go but I would still be surprised if he were on less than 60-100k a year and his agent would not be stupid enough to get him to sign a deal that means he only gets paid when he plays.

If it works out well for them he might return from a ban just in time for the Middle 8s. If the contract reflects this then its a very shrewd piece of business by their board.

Presumably part of the 'attraction' of signing him will be that he's had a decent pay-off from Salford? Hey, maybe they're paying Leigh to take him off their hands?



It's a signing that could either make or break us!

Maybe they`ve brought him in to backfill their squad to cover for expected suspensions.

Perhaps he is confident he will be back in Super League soon with Leigh?
£60.000 to £100.000 Salary Cap?
Does a player get full wage whilst suspended?

Is there a player eligibility clause for the Superish 8's ?

You would think so obviously without any playing bonuses though.

Gareth Hock will be a great signing for Leigh ,we already have the best pack in the Division ,so to add a quality player like Gareth is an immense signing ,GFB you can quote all the excuses and Cons you like about signing Gareth , we CAN afford him without going over the Salary Cap , and he will be well handled by our Backroom Staff , and PR , we have heard all this before about Sam Barlow and what an inspired signing he has been .

Whenever Gareth makes his debut the time will be right , our crowds are ever increasing , its great being a Leyther ,cant wait for Fax to play at the LSV later this year , look at your own crowds 2,700 for our visit this week , and around 1000 from Leigh , we have already sold 4000 tickets for Londons visit on Sunday and are aiming for the 5000 mark , maybe a few more with the Hocks Factor





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I sometimes wonder Charlie.........

Greg I always give credit where its due , and I agree with what you have said on the Subject of Sam Barlow and Gareth Hock on the Leigh messageboard

.Makes a change me agreeing with you .

It was me Charlie who enquires about the Salary Cap.

John ,I trust the Leigh BOD if they say we are not spending over the Salary Cap who are we to argue , I trust them and welcome Gareth to the LSV ,when Fax arrive in May he should be fully up to speed and rain to have a good go at you .

£60,000 to £100,000 that would be quite a large wage cut he's taking.

Well potentially its a good signing but then again it could have the potential to blow up in Leigh's faces. The way it's going the Leythers are going to be pushing for top spot, following that I hope they get a SL spot because it would then give a great boost for all other Champ clubs. That is of course if we don't get up there first.

As with any signing with Gareths character anything could happen but then I would fully expect Leigh to be more aware than anyone concerning this and the deal will have been right for them.

How he goes with them will be down to him because they will do their part of the bargain.

My main concern would be if they fail in the big SL push what happens then, is it a boom or bust waiting to happen?

Lets hope they have done there sums right and there is a backup plan.

The Leythers have been through tough times before and not that long ago and worked their butts off to turn it around, they deserve a run of the good times.

Fax are at least 4 years behind again after the KH period in charge fell short, there no surprise, they should be better on the field by some margin, were starting from scratch again so all these comparisons need to have that in mind.

For me that's why I was happy enough with our performance in Sundays game, new coach, several players were new with just a couple of games for the club and together under their belts, hopefully with some game time things should get better for us on the field and for both clubs on and off.

I don't care what anyone says - they're on the road to ruin. One megalomaniac in charge spending bucketloads. If they finished 5th two years on the trot how will those on four & five year contracts be funded? Their track record speaks for itself. "Oh, we'll never rely on one man again". And six months later King Derek purges the board and takes the reins.

It will end in tears. Their fan base isn't big enough for that man's ego.

He was international class 6 years ago, not any more.

Jeez Rich you sound like Rumplestiltskin you will dancing round the campfire next

.When will this road to RUIN as you speak of arrive?It won't be this season we expect a crowd of around 5000 for London visit , with around 100 from London, Derek knows what he is doing,we have the best squad in this Division,what shade of GREEN are you?

Are you coming on Sunday Rich, join the revolution - I cant believe we are well on the way to 5000 v London

I think you think you know much more than you actually do..... which would be bordering on zero.

I'd rather see the passing of a couple of years or so without Leigh announcing one calamity or another before i swoon.
[urlhttp://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/other-sport/troubled-leigh-thankful-rfl-lifeline-3363394[/url

Most RL Chairmen with big gobs usually f**k up sooner or later. It's not really jealousy - rather than an expectation of a meltdown. A couple more years of a clean financial sheet might change my attitude. But what do you care - you're living the dream right?

I think it is boom or bust and if dont win in the Super 8s it could be trouble. Big risk with Hock and a little incident it will be a big game ban. The guy will be targeted to be wound up and i feel big pockets at Leigh. Got to admit Leigh fan base is better than Salfraud.