Dave. I reckon Wigan's scouting system is as good, if not better than any other clubs. My gripe was the way the kids were treated after they had been targeted and signed up. In all my years of being involved at junior level, I told the lads to take offers from Saints, Widnes, Warrington, even Leigh rather than Wigan because those clubs had a reputation for looking after the youngsters far better.DaveO wrote:
One of the criticisms I have seen posted on here and rlfans is our scouting system has been very poor compared to say Saints in recent years.
Dave
Example. At Under 13s, Warrington spotted the Evans twins in South Wales. The club relocated the entire family to Warrington, sorted a house, got employment for their parents, placed the lads at Sankey High School and got them into Burtonwood ARLFC. When did Wigan ever do that?
That said, I do think with the likes of Wane, Hampson and Rads involved, things are now improving. As more and more of our first team players, 2xTomkins, Mossop, Goulding, Prescott etc. emerge from the junior ranks, we are starting to show a more enthusiastic and caring approach to our future potential stars.
OAMJS, your St Pats allegation is becoming a bit of an old chestnut. Greg Burke was from Bridge, Jack Roden spotted Liam Carberry at Bold Miners, along with Shae Lyon-Fraser and Phil Hamnett. Tom Halsall played for Judes.
I do agree that Pats have provided many good players but that is largely because the best of the juniors tend to want to go there, especially once Service Area training starts. BTW, Andy Farrell played for Orrell St James's!