To the best of my knowledge, Leeds have never re-signed a player once they have let him go and very few, if any, have ever asked for a transfer out of the place. That’s part of the aura of Headingley, it means as much to the players as it does to the fans once they’ve sampled it at its best.
There’s also many examples throughout the eras of great players who have suddenly left or been surprisingly transferred because their behaviour or reputation wasn’t deemed as appropriate, particularly if there was any chance of the club’s good name being tainted. No matter who has worn the famous colours no-one is bigger than the club.
I think it was Dougie Laughton who commented when he left that he hadn’t realised how big the Leeds job was or what he was taking on until he got there. At Widnes, if he wanted anything in the papers he had to call them up; when he started at Leeds he couldn’t understand why his phone rang at eight o’clock every morning with press men asking him if there was any news or if there was any truth in the constant rumours regarding likely signings.
Brian Davies
Originally published in 'Headingley Rugby Voices' Recollections of supporters, compiled by Phil Caplan.
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Memory added on September 16, 2012
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