The-original-&-best-V wrote:
I liken that signing to that of Terry Holmes and for the same reason have blocked it from memory.
Spruce wasn't accomplished, had had a brief shine but was, at the time, playing in National 1 in a struggling Widnes side. he had far more potential than pedigree at the time. As for Loughlin, OK he was an established international player but compared with what went the other way in terms of Star, he wasn't a signing to set the pulse racing, particularly as Saints at the time rated him less than one third (and a bucketful of cash) of a Paul Newlove.
Anyway at least you got the jist of what I was trying to say.
Spruce wasn't accomplished, had had a brief shine but was, at the time, playing in National 1 in a struggling Widnes side. he had far more potential than pedigree at the time. As for Loughlin, OK he was an established international player but compared with what went the other way in terms of Star, he wasn't a signing to set the pulse racing, particularly as Saints at the time rated him less than one third (and a bucketful of cash) of a Paul Newlove.
Anyway at least you got the jist of what I was trying to say.
I think some of our players tried to block him from the ball, let alone memory...!
And yes, I did, and OK take your point about the ratings of the players at the time of their signing as opposed to when in their pomp. Sprogger still cost us a fair bit, though.