Gareth Hock

[shaunedwardsfanclub]

Just because he might not play for the club again , does not mean we can't help him sort himself out . If in life we all take the attitude "you are no longer any use to us , we don't want to know you " the world has come to a sorry state .

If Gaz doesn't get help then he might not be around in two years time. Drugs are not his only problem, the company that he keeps does nothing for his wellbeing. Gaz is, and always has been, likely to self destruct if rugby is taken away from him. To be fair to the club, they have supported him through thick and thin and deserve some credit. Many employers would have sacked him over his time keeping, failure to attend training etc. Unfortunatley, Gaz has not been able to respond to the generous support given by many individuals within the club.

[cpwigan]

I can only reitterate what SEFC says. The fear many have is what happens to Gareth Hock post contract termination.

[Doveoverdave]

Whether people believe Hock's actions to be foolish or sad, I think it is imperative that the Club find out the background to what happened.

As previously stated by cp, Hock has passed numerous tests over recent months. What's different now? What provoked the change? Did the "trigger" come from within the Club or from outside?

Both to help Hock, and to prevent other players falling into the same trap, I think the Club must be proactive. It would be easier for the Club to distance themselves from this, but far braver and more beneficial into the future to address the issue.

The club have helped Hock by offering the opportunity of a fabulous lifestyle backed up with a 6 figure salary, they should now wash their hands of him.

[DaveO]

Whether people believe Hock's actions to be foolish or sad, I think it is imperative that the Club find out the background to what happened.

As previously stated by cp, Hock has passed numerous tests over recent months. What's different now? What provoked the change? Did the "trigger" come from within the Club or from outside?

Both to help Hock, and to prevent other players falling into the same trap, I think the Club must be proactive. It would be easier for the Club to distance themselves from this, but far braver and more beneficial into the future to address the issue.

The club have helped Hock by offering the opportunity of a fabulous lifestyle backed up with a 6 figure salary, they should now wash their hands of him.

That may be so but it might be an idea to do some sort of investigation not in mitigation of Hock but for the clubs own benefit to understand the circumstances behind this.

Dave

[DaveO]

I can only reitterate what SEFC says. The fear many have is what happens to Gareth Hock post contract termination.

I assume they think he is going to fall further off the rails or something but while it would be sad to see another Vigo situation develop it would be of his own making. You can only help people so far and they must at some time take responsibilty for their own life and if they make a mess of it then there is only so much that can be done before you just have to say sad though it is, time to move on.

Dave

[cpwigan]

The club certainly need to learn from this. Under Ian Millward IIRC he introduced in house testing. I am not 100% sure but I do not think that is the case anymore.

As Dave says the club need to learn how to minimise this happening again.

Ultimately though you cannot prevent / eradicate it 100% IMO.

[cpwigan]

I can only reitterate what SEFC says. The fear many have is what happens to Gareth Hock post contract termination.

I assume they think he is going to fall further off the rails or something but while it would be sad to see another Vigo situation develop it would be of his own making. You can only help people so far and they must at some time take responsibilty for their own life and if they make a mess of it then there is only so much that can be done before you just have to say sad though it is, time to move on.

Dave

very true and yes Dave I think many expect hock's fall from grace to continue and plummet further.

[Doveoverdave]

Whether people believe Hock's actions to be foolish or sad, I think it is imperative that the Club find out the background to what happened.

As previously stated by cp, Hock has passed numerous tests over recent months. What's different now? What provoked the change? Did the "trigger" come from within the Club or from outside?

Both to help Hock, and to prevent other players falling into the same trap, I think the Club must be proactive. It would be easier for the Club to distance themselves from this, but far braver and more beneficial into the future to address the issue.

The club have helped Hock by offering the opportunity of a fabulous lifestyle backed up with a 6 figure salary, they should now wash their hands of him.

That may be so but it might be an idea to do some sort of investigation not in mitigation of Hock but for the clubs own benefit to understand the circumstances behind this.

Dave

Let me guess, I'm young, got a shed load of money-I know I'll get off my face.

The club has no obligation to indulge in social science just run a pro rugby club-not a drug rehab service for n'r dowells.

[gillysmyhero]

The club certainly need to learn from this. Under Ian Millward IIRC he introduced in house testing. I am not 100% sure but I do not think that is the case anymore.

As Dave says the club need to learn how to minimise this happening again.

Ultimately though you cannot prevent / eradicate it 100% IMO.

CPW its just a thought but could it be that when Millward introduced the in house testing that was one of the reasons that he lost the dressing room.At that time their were a lot of rumours going around about drugs & players who have since left the club.

[cpwigan]

May well have been Gilly. I think what fans have to understand is that professional sports standards have to be umpteen times higher than thoser society applies to itself and very few individuals are able to embrace the degree of self discipline required. Some successful sportsmen/women seem to be able to burn the candle at both hands but IMO they are the exception to the rule than the norm. Somehow a professional club has to impose and develop a culture that is alien to most of us. Yet, IMO, many of these players must have had it to some degree when they were junior players. Somehow most lose it as they age. Those that never had it only get worse.

I think clubs need to really research the background of all their players prior to signing. The problem is club turn a blind eye or take a punt such is their desperation to win and be successful.