He goes and shows what a top bloke he is off the pitch.

My 8 year old and the rest in his class have been doing a project at school and as part of it they had to write a letter to someone, asking a series of questions - it could be anyone. Typical stereotypes- the girls all seemed to write to vets, the boys to footballers /sportsmen etc. My lad choose Pat Richards and the school sent it to Pat via the club.

To cut a long story short, today at school a personal hand written letter arrived from Pat answering his questions, along with a personalised signed photo, sent by Pat himself and not via the club, and all done just before he's gone back to Aus on holiday. As you can imagine my lad's extremely happy, and all the lads in his class who wrote to Messi, Torres etc who have got nothing back, are extremely jealous that he got a reply in the way he did.

It's great to know that not only are the club getting it right on the pitch, but off the pitch as well.

What were the questions?

What an 8 year old would dream up - where do you live, how long does it take to get to the DW etc, etc. Nothing particularly taxing.



The project was all about letter writing and making yourself clear to the recipient.

So not the stuff we all want to know like 'How many Weetabix can you eat' or 'What is your BMI' then

He's saving that lot for the next fans forum.

Aw thats so cute, reminds me of Miss Congeniality 2

Great news, well done to Pat for showing that he has that side to him off the pitch aswell as being superman on the pitch.

I bet your lads chuffed.

Pat Richards = LEGEND








This is one of the reasons I love RL. Only a handful of football players would have done something like this. The community spirit in RL is fantastic and I'm so happy for your lad

Top bloke! A true sportsman!

Pat Richards = class act!

Well done Pat, Top bloke

and a big well done

to your lad for choosing to write to Pat instead of some overpaid overrated ponce

My better half had a serious heart attack in June - was in hospital 3 months so we have missed a big chunk of the season and had to be armchair supporters for most of this season but when someone mentioned it to Pat he signed a man of steel rugby ball with a message wishing a speedy recovery and sent it over to us. Also have to say Simon Collinson was very helpful in the early stages when I asked him for some advice. Just goes to show what nice people there are around us especially in rugby league

That's good n'all but i already know his favourite coloured horse.

He did two signed photos for my 3 year old earlier this season for his birthday he really is a top bloke.

I remember doing this as a kid in a Leeds primary, i wrote to Michael Owen (@ Liverpool back then) and the school sent it off via the relevant links and i got back a signed print of him, a signed team photo and a small book thing. This it was about books and poems and his fav was Pie in the Sky.

why mate, do you want the young lad to help you write a letter too , or just help you to write



great story BTW

Richards the legend !!

Heartwarming stuff.

Think most of our players if not all are good with the younger fans, always see Sam talking and signing autographs with them all which is a great touch for someone who 10 years ago would have been in their position pestering the players for an autograph.

I think this highlights the difference between rugby players and their elitist wendyball brethern; in my experience the rugby boys are very much down-to-earth people who recognise the value of the fans' support. I have spoken to a fair few players over the past couple of years and found them to be courteous, friendly and receptive to fans' thoughts.

On the other hand I've met a couple of lower league footballers and found them to be aloof to the point of rude. They certainly appear to think they're the 'Big I Am'.

I'm glad Pat did what he did, it shows that a moment of thought and time from a professional sportsman can make a young kids day.

I bet the young lad is still smiling now and picture has pride of place in the living room

I think this says a hell of alot about the club. I must ad however that I think they have always been very community based, when I got married back in 2002 my sister sent leter to the club and they sent me back a signed rugby ball as a present. It shows the difference between our great sport and the wendy ball. I beleive it harks back a bit to the rugby league family, look at the responses to the tragic circumstances surrounding Terry Newton and his funeral or even the St Georges Game against quins with the last post excetera