Stalwarts : Sun Feb 28, 2021 9:34 am  

Whilst leafing through Wikipedia I came across the playing record of an ex-player of ours and was stunned.

Oliver Wilkes

20 seasons, the majority in SL

11 clubs

495 games.

I've never understood the term 'journeyman' but if I were to define it, he's a player who spends his career making up the numbers at any club that will have him. That's not Ollie, he IMHO gave great service to every club he played for, didn't always work out but he had the ability even if he could be a bit of a blunt instrument at times. He always gave 100%.

11 different coaches/clubs thought him worth signing and signing as a first-team player, not a squad filler. He played nearly 500 games and lasted 20 years in the game. That is one hell of a player in my book and worth anyone's respect.

Anyone think of any more, though I don't expect then to be quite as expansive as Wilkes. One club men like Belly and JT don't count, they are a different breed altogether imo.

Re: Stalwarts : Sun Feb 28, 2021 9:55 am  

vastman wrote:

Whilst leafing through Wikipedia I came across the playing record of an ex-player of ours and was stunned.

Oliver Wilkes

20 seasons, the majority in SL

11 clubs

495 games.

I've never understood the term 'journeyman' but if I were to define it, he's a player who spends his career making up the numbers at any club that will have him. That's not Ollie, he IMHO gave great service to every club he played for, didn't always work out but he had the ability even if he could be a bit of a blunt instrument at times. He always gave 100%.

11 different coaches/clubs thought him worth signing and signing as a first-team player, not a squad filler. He played nearly 500 games and lasted 20 years in the game. That is one hell of a player in my book and worth anyone's respect.

Anyone think of any more, though I don't expect then to be quite as expansive as Wilkes. One club men like Belly and JT don't count, they are a different breed altogether imo.

I really rated Ollie, hard working no nonsense prop and thought there was at least another season in him at Wakefield, a great servant to the game of RL overall.

[PopTart]

Re: Stalwarts : Sun Feb 28, 2021 11:20 am  

Big lads mate wrote:

I really rated Ollie, hard working no nonsense prop and thought there was at least another season in him at Wakefield, a great servant to the game of RL overall.

He lived near some friends of mine and I had quite a few conversations with him over a few beers.
First think you get from him he doesn't fit the rugby league blunt instrument stereotype image. He's actually a bright guy.

He went back to Cumbria to be closer to family when he started his own young family.

And an absolute cleaning freak too.

Re: Stalwarts : Sun Feb 28, 2021 3:02 pm  

PopTart wrote:

He lived near some friends of mine and I had quite a few conversations with him over a few beers.
First think you get from him he doesn't fit the rugby league blunt instrument stereotype image. He's actually a bright guy.

He went back to Cumbria to be closer to family when he started his own young family.

And an absolute cleaning freak too.

Blunt instrument referred to his style of play not his personality.

Re: Stalwarts : Sun Feb 28, 2021 5:57 pm  

When Widnes failed to get promotion by losing to Cas in 2007 a few of their squad wanted away and we picked Wilkes and Grix ( ) up. I thought at the time that Jordan James would be a better signing than Wilkes but I think Wilkes proved a good signing.

Re: Stalwarts : Sun Feb 28, 2021 7:12 pm  

What about Terry Clawson! He had one or two clubs

[PopTart]

Re: Stalwarts : Sun Feb 28, 2021 7:20 pm  

vastman wrote:

Blunt instrument referred to his style of play not his personality.

You don't need to roll your eyes like a little school girl.
That stereotype is how blunt instruments would generally be seen. It's not always about you.

Re: Stalwarts : Sun Feb 28, 2021 7:44 pm  

PopTart wrote:

You don't need to roll your eyes like a little school girl.
That stereotype is how blunt instruments would generally be seen. It's not always about you.

Don’t like being questioned do you

Re: Stalwarts : Sun Feb 28, 2021 7:49 pm  

cheshirecat57 wrote:

What about Terry Clawson! He had one or two clubs

Geoff Clarkson must have had at least a dozen, cheshire.

Re: Stalwarts : Sun Feb 28, 2021 8:00 pm  

cheshirecat57 wrote:

What about Terry Clawson! He had one or two clubs

Geoff Clarkson must have had at least ten, cheshire.

In fact I've just checked:

1) Wakefield (twice)
2) Bradford N (twice)
3) Featherstone R
4) Leigh
5) Bramley
6) York
7) Hull HR
Leeds
9) Warrington
10) Oldham