You see them on Sky sports week in week out and despite being feted by the pommie rugby league public as faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, Superleague players can frequently be seen on any given Friday or Saturday evening dropping balls, missing goals, knocking on, kicking straight into touch on the full and blowing the sort of try scoring opportunities that in simulated tests 8/10 peoples grandmothers would comfortably have grounded.

Barry McKenzie seldom gets to meet any of these players as he resides in Hammersmith, but I'm assuming that a lot of you folks live in the RL heartlands and therefore get to meet SL players from your club on a regular basis, whether its down your local garage, supermarket, the gym or wherever else.

Which SL players that you have met have been happy to sign an autograph or 2, pose for a picture or just been happy to have a bit of a yak about footy?

Please feel free to also mention any miserable ones that when asked for an autograph or a mobile phone pic have developed a messiah complex, glared at you, mumbled something unintelligible and walked off.

Geoff Fletcher Ex Huyton, Runcorn, Prescot coach, owne,r general do everything.

A of a player on the pitch but a really nice knowledgeable person to speak to.

Right.

I was sort of hoping for someone that I might actually have heard of?

Maybe Keith Senior...or that little bloke who Choc Watmough knocked unconscious at the Manly v Leeds WCC game?

in 05 i made my first SL game in wakey. and approached stevo clarky and nobby at pitch side watching a reserve game too ask for a photo. all of them were top blokes and really approachable

Now thats the kind of thing we want to hear.

I haven't met many RL players.

Back in the early 90's Wigan's Billy McGinty used to drink in a bar that I managed, he was always very friendly.

In more recent times Sir Alex Murphy and James Graham have been regular shoppers in a supermarket where I worked. Both would stop, say hello and chat about RL when they saw me.

Your loss then

I don't think any of the current crop of "stars" are that approachable and Keith Senior!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Once got stuck waiting for a train and Bradley Clyde was stood next to me. Was happy to talk about RL and even offered good wishes to the Bulls.

Once met Hape... thought he was a bit of an ar$e.

Nicest guy in RL had to be Trevor Foster. Lived rugby league and loved the same club as me.

Former Kangaroo Mark Carrol, we stayed in the same hotel as them after a Wembley test and he came over with a load of XXXX for us as they were on freebies, he stopped and chatted to us for about an hour. Really nice guy.

Three of us were in the lift with Blocker and asked him what it felt like to be beaten by GB

, his resonse was silent, but the eyes told us to 'shut the f'ck up'

Talked International rugby league with the Great Leeds prop Roy Dickinson at Korks in Otley a few years back. Very humble bloke.

Bumped into Ryan Bailey at Pizza Hut on a match day. He scored a try that same day!!

Quote ="rover49"Former Kangaroo Mark Carrol, we stayed in the same hotel as them after a Wembley test and he came over with a load of XXXX for us as they were on freebies, he stopped and chatted to us for about an hour. Really nice guy. Three of us were in the lift with Blocker and asked him what it felt like to be beaten by GB , his resonse was silent, but the eyes told us to 'shut the f'ck up''" I couldnt agree more, Spud Carroll is an absolute LEGEND. He runs a gym now in Woolloomooloo, if you are ever in Sydney pop along. I have been a few times he has always got some great stories to tell (if he is in!) not just about footy but life in general. www.spudds.com.au/

Quote ="rover49"Former Kangaroo Mark Carrol, we stayed in the same hotel as them after a Wembley test and he came over with a load of XXXX for us as they were on freebies, he stopped and chatted to us for about an hour. Really nice guy. Three of us were in the lift with Blocker and asked him what it felt like to be beaten by GB , his resonse was silent, but the eyes told us to 'shut the f'ck up''" I couldnt agree more, Spud Carroll is an absolute LEGEND. He runs a gym now in Woolloomooloo, if you are ever in Sydney pop along. I have been a few times he has always got some great stories to tell (if he is in!) not just about footy but life in general. www.spudds.com.au/

When I was a kid I was a bit of an avid autograph hunter, and eventually collected a fair amount. I remember Mike Gregory being a really friendly and polite guy, and John Monie actually gave me a half eaten hot-dog at Mount Pleasant before an Alliance match.
The rudest players I encountered were Ellery Hanley and Martin Offiah, who were in attendance together at a Batley-Leeds friendly in 1992 and didn't even look at my book, let alone speak to me, as they signed. Maybe they were just too engrossed in the game?


Since growing up and expanding my social horizons, I've come face-to-face with a large number of current players. Strangely, the better known ones from Super League that I've met have been largely pleasant and amiable, whereas a lot of the 'stars' that I've come across from Championship/Championship 1 clubs have either been obnoxious, arrogant or unpleasant.

Phil Bailey. Really nice chap.

I met Mal Meninga in a chinese take-away on Wheldon Road when the Aussies were touring and their 'reserve' team played Cas, a fair while back now but he was great. Unfortunately before the times of phone-cameras but he signed a take-away menu and was quite happy to sit and talk whilst we waited. Judging by the size of the bag he carried away, I presume a good sweet and sour with fried rice was post-match nibbles for the Aussies at the time!
More recently Tewara Nikau was always absolutely supurb - would stop to sign autographs and talk to anyone and put lots of work into visiting local schools and RL clubs and spend ages there - he certainly did this more so than any other player I have come across. Adam Watene had the same attitude and always put in more than he had to, attending local events.
Aaron Raper, Dale Fritz and Adrian Vowles often use to eat in Cas Burger King and as it was usually busy just used to go and sit on a table where one person was sat with three empty chairs. Was great to see people who had finished their burger but daren't ask Dale Fritz to move so they could get out!

Most RL professionals are a great bunch and will talk to anyone.
I've met loads over time

Billy Boston

has time for absolute anyone.

Stanley Gene. An absolute gentleman.

Nicest: Stephen Kearney. A true gent and a bit of a legend to boot.

Most ignorant: Danny Brough. Obviously thinks he's a lot, lot better than he actually is.

I got on well with him

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BIG PHIL LEULUAI

Andy Kelly was a bloke who'd take time out for a chin wag with the fans.

Why is this ignorant fool still posting on here.

It just goes to show how ignorant he really is . he is only interested in his own narrow little world and nothing outside of it.

Normally i just ignore the T!t but he eventually grond me down.

Geoof Fletcher is a real RL hero and should be in the hall of fame not for his playing ability although he was pretty decent at the time that RL players were hairy @rsed nortyeners but for his commitment to keeping the game going for very little reward

andrew ettinghausen is a top bloke ... once watched cronulla play london broncos at the stoop during the WCC in about 1997, and he was the only player to come into the bar from either team, spent over an hour chatting and having his photo taken ...

Va'aiga Tuigamala. Great bloke, a real gentle giant.