: Tue Jun 02, 2009 10:28 am  

The Dentist Wilf wrote:

Shaun Long Background information

As it is a while till the next Diary I thought you might find this interesting it comes from various friends over the pennines and although you might not believe it I know it to be 100% true because i know the folks involved.

late last week the Wigan Chairman flew back to this country from a signing trip to Aus. empty handed. He had found as many clubs have, that aussie players are holding us all over here to ransom and using a possible move here as a tool to increase their own contracts back home. He had decided that he would go with his coaches views and grab Shaun Long from their local rivals. On Sunday our club who thought everything was sorted, found out that Shaun had been visited by Noble and their Chairman to sell him the 'Wigan Dream', they even sent a couple of Wigan players to see him at home. however although their offer was a very good one, Long, declined and decided to come to Hull. This decision I am told by folks who know the Saints players was solely based on the way he had hit it off with Agar and the vision and ideas that our coach put to him. He is truely excited by the move.

Richard Agar I believe has been instrumental in both our last two signings , and has sold the club by having a vision and a interesting list of possible aquisitions that the club are chasing. I critisised him recently for his tactics but on this occassion he deserves some praise I think!

Good and intresting post Wilf.
Certainly agree about praise for Richard Agar.

: Tue Jun 02, 2009 10:29 am  

The Dentist Wilf wrote:

Shaun Long Background information

As it is a while till the next Diary I thought you might find this interesting it comes from various friends over the pennines and although you might not believe it I know it to be 100% true because i know the folks involved.

late last week the Wigan Chairman flew back to this country from a signing trip to Aus. empty handed. He had found as many clubs have, that aussie players are holding us all over here to ransom and using a possible move here as a tool to increase their own contracts back home. He had decided that he would go with his coaches views and grab Shaun Long from their local rivals. On Sunday when our club thought everything was sorted, it came to light that Shaun had been visited by Noble and their Chairman to sell him the 'Wigan Dream', they even sent a couple of Wigan players to see him at home on Sunday afternoon. however although their offer was a very good one, Long, declined and decided to come to Hull. This decision I am told by folks who know the Saints players was solely based on the way he had hit it off with Agar and the vision and ideas that our coach put to him. He is truely excited by the move.

Richard Agar I believe has been instrumental in both our last two signings , and has sold the club by having a vision and a interesting list of possible aquisitions that the club are chasing. I critisised him recently for his tactics but on this occassion he deserves some praise I think!

yeah he deserves some credit both fitz and longy spoke really highly of him .Also to longy as he could have took easy option to go to wigan with it being alot nearer.

: Tue Jun 02, 2009 10:33 am  

The Dentist Wilf wrote:

Shaun Long Background information

As it is a while till the next Diary I thought you might find this interesting it comes from various friends over the pennines and although you might not believe it I know it to be 100% true because i know the folks involved.

late last week the Wigan Chairman flew back to this country from a signing trip to Aus. empty handed. He had found as many clubs have, that aussie players are holding us all over here to ransom and using a possible move here as a tool to increase their own contracts back home. He had decided that he would go with his coaches views and grab Shaun Long from their local rivals. On Sunday when our club thought everything was sorted, it came to light that Shaun had been visited by Noble and their Chairman to sell him the 'Wigan Dream', they even sent a couple of Wigan players to see him at home on Sunday afternoon. however although their offer was a very good one, Long, declined and decided to come to Hull. This decision I am told by folks who know the Saints players was solely based on the way he had hit it off with Agar and the vision and ideas that our coach put to him. He is truely excited by the move.

Richard Agar I believe has been instrumental in both our last two signings , and has sold the club by having a vision and a interesting list of possible aquisitions that the club are chasing. I critisised him recently for his tactics but on this occassion he deserves some praise I think!

I'm not accusing you of anything Wilf because I know you believe this but I reckon it's a load of twaddle. Long has signed with us because it offers the best chance of prolonging his career.

: Tue Jun 02, 2009 10:44 am  

Raggytash wrote:

I'm not accusing you of anything Wilf because I know you believe this but I reckon it's a load of twaddle. Long has signed with us because it offers the best chance of prolonging his career.

Of course it's a chance of prolonging his career. What should he do, retire? He is a quality half-back - there are few in the world and some of the best halves and five-eigths can still play at the top level in their mid-thirties (in both hemispherese). I hope we get more than two years from him if we're challenging for honours with him - I don't care if he retires at 50.

: Tue Jun 02, 2009 10:48 am  

Raggytash wrote:

I'm not accusing you of anything Wilf because I know you believe this but I reckon it's a load of twaddle. Long has signed with us because it offers the best chance of prolonging his career.

Why is it twaddle, he had the same length of contract offered to him by Wigan but chose Hull because of what Agar had sold to him

: Tue Jun 02, 2009 10:49 am  

downtheante wrote:

Of course it's a chance of prolonging his career. What should he do, retire? He is a quality half-back - there are few in the world and some of the best halves and five-eigths can still play at the top level in their mid-thirties (in both hemispherese). I hope we get more than two years from him if we're challenging for honours with him - I don't care if he retires at 50.

I agree. The only thing that worries me is that he gets injury after injury but as far as i am aware he has never had major injuries recently...i am sure sopmeone will say if i am wrong lol

: Tue Jun 02, 2009 10:49 am  

Greavsie wrote:

Why is it twaddle, he had the same length of contract offered to him by Wigan but chose Hull because of what Agar had sold to him

Because something positives being said about our club (I personally think he's a Rovers troll by his OTT negative posts)

: Tue Jun 02, 2009 10:52 am  

The Hull Daily Mail wrote:

Long had been allowed to speak to rival clubs for a while, but the Mail understands Wigan stepped up their efforts to sign him when they heard of Hull's firm interest.

A lucrative offer was sent to him over the weekend in an effort to entice him back to his former club, but the three-time Lance Todd Trophy winner stood by his commitment to Hull.

: Tue Jun 02, 2009 10:57 am  

downtheante wrote:

try again

1 Tony
2 Calderwood
3 Yeaman/G Horne
4 Briscoe/Hall
5 Raynor
6 Horne/Washbrook
7 Long/Lee
8 Dowes/Thackray/Moa
9 Berrigan/Houghton/Hodgson
10 Cusack/King/Maloney
11 Manu/Lauaki
12 Tickle/Burnett
13 Fitzgibbon/Washbrook/Whiting

Would prefer him in the centres than at second-row

: Tue Jun 02, 2009 11:05 am  

The Dentist Wilf wrote:

Shaun Long Background information

As it is a while till the next Diary I thought you might find this interesting it comes from various friends over the pennines and although you might not believe it I know it to be 100% true because i know the folks involved.

late last week the Wigan Chairman flew back to this country from a signing trip to Aus. empty handed. He had found as many clubs have, that aussie players are holding us all over here to ransom and using a possible move here as a tool to increase their own contracts back home. He had decided that he would go with his coaches views and grab Shaun Long from their local rivals. On Sunday when our club thought everything was sorted, it came to light that Shaun had been visited by Noble and their Chairman to sell him the 'Wigan Dream', they even sent a couple of Wigan players to see him at home on Sunday afternoon. however although their offer was a very good one, Long, declined and decided to come to Hull. This decision I am told by folks who know the Saints players was solely based on the way he had hit it off with Agar and the vision and ideas that our coach put to him. He is truely excited by the move.

Richard Agar I believe has been instrumental in both our last two signings , and has sold the club by having a vision and a interesting list of possible aquisitions that the club are chasing. I critisised him recently for his tactics but on this occassion he deserves some praise I think!

TBF I find that story as it stands very beleivable. Why at this stage of his career would Long want all the hassle and pressure of signing for Saints bitterest rivals?? Makes much more sense to sign for Hull imo and he'd clearly made a commitment, so good on him.