Neil James : Wed Apr 15, 2009 9:25 pm  

Haven't been on here for a while regarding memories of former players. I will be meeting up with Neil James fairly soon and would like to remind him of some fans memories of his time with our club. Please feel free to share those memories.

I always remember him as a big strong player who always gave 100% in every game. Also seem to recall he was a right hard case as well.

Seem to remember watching him playing for Great Britain against France - at Headingley I think. Can anyone confirm this as my memory is not quite what it used to be.

Thanks.

: Wed Apr 15, 2009 9:31 pm  

I'm sure he played for GB at Central park and suffered some kind of injury, blood poisoning or something from a cut. Unless of course, my memory isn't what it used to be as well.....

Re: Neil James : Wed Apr 15, 2009 9:44 pm  

SID SCOOP wrote:

Seem to remember watching him playing for Great Britain against France - at Headingley I think.

Neil James definitely played for Britain, I THINK you are correct in saying it was France he played against. I remember James having a great season (think it was the Championship 85/86 season) but Chris Anderson appeared to favour Ben Beevers most of the time. Then all of a sudden he totally lost his form .... I remember he was so bad at Salford once that the usual loyal Fax following gave him some right abuse as he was leaving the field (in the saftey of the stand of course). My last memory of James was seeing him playing cards in the Cocked Hat pub after a match at Sheffield (after his Fax playing days). IMO a very good player but who just seemed to lose it too early in his career.

: Wed Apr 15, 2009 9:51 pm  

I think that game against France was huis debut & he got MOM, great barnstorming 2nd row who had his good times with us & could have become a great (as he had power & pace) but for whatever reason he tailed off & lost form.

Didnt he end up running a garage or something similar over Cas way & if memory serves having a run in with the police (I may be getting that last bit completely wrong, but seems to jog in my memory)

: Wed Apr 15, 2009 10:37 pm  

Neil came along to the `87 squad Q&A the Supporters Trust organised a year or two ago ,at that time he was runing a security business down at Canary Wharf though I think he had a place at Leeds too.Nothing was too much trouble for him when he came for that night he even put up one or two who traveled some distance to get there.

: Wed Apr 15, 2009 11:07 pm  

Thats me walking to the game then.

Wouldn't fancy him any near my car.

: Thu Apr 16, 2009 12:32 am  

johnny freeman fan club wrote:

Neil came along to the `87 squad Q&A the Supporters Trust organised a year or two ago ,at that time he was runing a security business down at Canary Wharf though I think he had a place at Leeds too.Nothing was too much trouble for him when he came for that night he even put up one or two who traveled some distance to get there.

He had a great night as I remember, I will nit forget the look on his face when I walked into the toilet and found him

Seriously edited, TS.

Check your PM's.

: Thu Apr 16, 2009 2:30 am  

I always remember Eadie/Struddy's first game in charge 88/89 season when we played Widnes at Thrum Hall.

We won and Jesse (James) scored 3 tries and was devestating that day. Unfortunately most of the other times he lived up to his nickname.

A player with great natural ability just seemed that he needed to get really fired up to utilse it. He didn't seem to get fired up enough though.

: Thu Apr 16, 2009 8:56 am  

I remember he always had well groomed hair, even after a match, ask him did he use hairspray? (don't tell him it was me you can get smacked).

: Thu Apr 16, 2009 9:13 am  

Last seen early 90`s bouncing at the Three Ferrets in Cas !!!
Wonder if it`s still opem