Re: Quality of Recruitment : Thu May 23, 2024 11:29 am  

Barbed Wire wrote:

I do understand the point about Chambers. It’s always been the RL way just to play safe and pick people you know, we had a whole gang of people, no doubt we’re qualified but we’ll never know if they were the best candidate. People like Thurstfield, Rudd, Thornley, Vinny Webb and Dave Elliot for example. Some have gone on to big jobs in sport, Elliot is head of education at the RFL and Webb has gone through the grades at the RFL before leaving the sport to go to the Olympic cycling team and beyond. Some were appointed on merit, despite being close to the club, but some have not gone on to progress once the association with the club ended.

Chambers shouldn’t be discarded because of his long-standing affiliation with the club. Hearing him speak over the years he has always been values led, and I’m sure nobody is as frustrated as him by the lack of trust in youth over the years. Considering we bought in John Bastian at a cost, Phil Jones came with a reputation, alongside bringing in heads of talent ID, Peter Farrell, without seeing much return on that investment.

Chambers is here, and the feel for the youth production and exposure has improved light years this year. May be down to Burgess, may be down to the economic climate and we want to keep money in the bank rather than buying in fringe players, but whatever is happening right now, I want it to continue in that direction.

Vinny Webb is a name I’ve not heard for 35 years or more.
Worked with him at TI New World, AKA Richmonds.

Re: Quality of Recruitment : Thu May 23, 2024 11:48 am  

rubber duckie wrote:

Vinny Webb is a name I’ve not heard for 35 years or more.
Worked with him at TI New World, AKA Richmonds.

Dr Webb I believe. Doctorate in elite performance. If memory serves, he left us about the same time as Cull, with Rich Marshall coming in to replace him. Smart man. Coined the phrase “if you can touch it, you can catch it” which will ring in the ears of anyone who played for him. PTSD.

Re: Quality of Recruitment : Thu May 23, 2024 12:07 pm  

rubber duckie wrote:

Vinny Webb is a name I’ve not heard for 35 years or more.
Worked with him at TI New World, AKA Richmonds.

I worked at New World too....MANY moons ago

Re: Quality of Recruitment : Thu May 23, 2024 3:38 pm  

He played for GB BARLA , skipper I think with tape round his head and ears.
Took a few Bob off him at poker when o was dealt 4 aces!

[Uncle Rico]

Re: Quality of Recruitment : Thu May 23, 2024 4:33 pm  

rubber duckie wrote:

He played for GB BARLA , skipper I think with tape round his head and ears.
Took a few Bob off him at poker when o was dealt 4 aces!

I hope you didn't count your money whilst sitting at the table, there'll be time enough for counting.....

Re: Quality of Recruitment : Thu May 23, 2024 5:34 pm  

Wires71 wrote:

It could be argued the DoR was "jobs for the boys" ?

The fact that appointing a Director of Rugby meant that Karl Fitzpatrick was excluded from meddling with player recruitment and most on-field involvement was a massive plus.
Chambers was a surprise selection as the D of R, but he seems to have fitted into the role and is highly regarded at the club

Re: Quality of Recruitment : Fri May 24, 2024 7:10 am  

Boss Hog wrote:

The fact that appointing a Director of Rugby meant that Karl Fitzpatrick was excluded from meddling with player recruitment and most on-field involvement was a massive plus.
Chambers was a surprise selection as the D of R, but he seems to have fitted into the role and is highly regarded at the club

Yes excluding Fitzy was a positive and I'm not knocking Chambers. The selection may well turn out to be an excellent choice.

I was just noting that appointing Chambers on a post that talks about the end of jobs for the boys.