Caisley was our most successful Chairman until his hubris overcame his judgement. Even at school he was an arrogant git.



He had a shocking relationship with the council and convinced himself the club could do better with control of the stadium. I don't know who did the numbers for him but clearly they got them a bit wrong.



The Harris affair was even more ridiculous, how could he possibly imagine Harris would still be Super League quality after three seasons standing around with his hands in his pockets? Notwithstanding the financial catastrophe, that decision cost us the services of Jamie Peacock and Leon Pryce.



Nevertheless I wouldn't trade the memories. That afternoon at Murrayfield, when we won the Cup for the first time in my lifetime, I'm happy to admit I cried. Moments like that made it all worth it.

Quote ="redeverready"I have seen documents from the Rhinos side on the Harris settlement and it's no where near what Hans Christian Hood ">quoted.'" I think the impact on the squad was just as damaging as any financial loss, put them together and with hindsight it's still terrible.

Quote ="redeverready"I have seen documents from the Rhinos side on the Harris settlement and it's no where near what Hans Christian Hood ">quoted.'" I think the impact on the squad was just as damaging as any financial loss, put them together and with hindsight it's still terrible.

Quote ="redeverready"I have seen documents from the Rhinos side on the Harris settlement and it's no where near what Hans Christian Hood ">quoted.'" Peter Hood if I remember said that he inherited a large debt when he took over, but the Harris debacle added much more to it and as the years went by that total debt became more toxic, I can see why he lumped it all on Harrisgate!

Quote ="redeverready"I have seen documents from the Rhinos side on the Harris settlement and it's no where near what Hans Christian Hood ">quoted.'" Peter Hood if I remember said that he inherited a large debt when he took over, but the Harris debacle added much more to it and as the years went by that total debt became more toxic, I can see why he lumped it all on Harrisgate!

It was a major straw, no doubt, but there were many other straws too, mostly before PH took over, but afterwards also, making a significant contribution to the breaking to that particular camel's back.

Giving Mcnamara a 4 year deal then not acting quickly enough when fans were leaving in the droves because of the tosh been served up was a massive error. Topping that with the cheap season tickets still going ahead with it even after the sponsors who were going to cover short fall had second thoughts.

Quote ="redeverready"Giving Mcnamara a 4 year deal then not acting quickly enough when fans were leaving in the droves because of the tosh been served up was a massive error. Topping that with the cheap season tickets still going ahead with it even after the sponsors who were going to cover short fall had second ">thoughts.'" At the end of the day, the McNamara deal was probably the cheapest solution, and remember Macca had already built a decent reputation at the club, though, like most, I'd quibble at the length of the contract for a first time coach. In the post Caisley era, remember we became very much a 'selling club' to make ends meet, and many 'expensive' people left, both from the team and backroom staff. All in all it was a difficult period which wasn't handled too well, though the people running the show had been dealt a poor hand. Fans will always be fans though and just like today, a few will always moan because we aren't singing internationals any more. Back then we were losing internationals and it had many fans jumping up and down and shouting and blaming it all on the coach and chairman. To repeat myself they, both coach and chairman, were firefighting a financial crisis and trying, not particularly well, to keep heads above water on limited resources. All this with a backdrop of fans who just wanted Hape, Vainikolo et al replaced by players of similar stature. I blame Hood for some of it but don't condemn him, by any means.

Quote ="redeverready"Giving Mcnamara a 4 year deal then not acting quickly enough when fans were leaving in the droves because of the tosh been served up was a massive error. Topping that with the cheap season tickets still going ahead with it even after the sponsors who were going to cover short fall had second ">thoughts.'" At the end of the day, the McNamara deal was probably the cheapest solution, and remember Macca had already built a decent reputation at the club, though, like most, I'd quibble at the length of the contract for a first time coach. In the post Caisley era, remember we became very much a 'selling club' to make ends meet, and many 'expensive' people left, both from the team and backroom staff. All in all it was a difficult period which wasn't handled too well, though the people running the show had been dealt a poor hand. Fans will always be fans though and just like today, a few will always moan because we aren't singing internationals any more. Back then we were losing internationals and it had many fans jumping up and down and shouting and blaming it all on the coach and chairman. To repeat myself they, both coach and chairman, were firefighting a financial crisis and trying, not particularly well, to keep heads above water on limited resources. All this with a backdrop of fans who just wanted Hape, Vainikolo et al replaced by players of similar stature. I blame Hood for some of it but don't condemn him, by any means.