Time to dig in and get the job done

A FEW years ago, I remember Oldham Roughyeds’ then-chairman Bill Quinn appearing near the tunnel entrance to confront his side as they trotted back to the changing rooms following a Challenge Cup defeat at Gateshead.

Quinn, an effervescent character, was a more than decent pugilist in his youth.

But I wouldn’t have fancied his chances had Oldham’s man-mountain Rob Roberts landed one square on his chin, as seemed likely for a brief moment before stewards intervened.

It was a bizarre moment.

In rugby league, off-the-ball physical confrontations are expected from time to time between players of opposing sides. Examples of board members publicly scrapping with their own employees are fewer and a lot farther between.

Simon Corney’s blast at his players in the Chronicle last week was neither as shocking nor as visceral.

But as a response to a perceived lack of effort and commitment, it had similarities.

While Quinn was angered by the failure to land a potentially money-spinning tie against Super League opposition in the next round, so Athletic’s chairman felt his men had failed to reward the near-thousand strong army of extra fans enticed back to Boundary Park by the ‘Golden Ticket’ initiative.

One win and a total of four goals scored, in what were effectively five £3-entry matches.

It is hardly the stuff to set the floating fan’s pulse racing, let alone lure them back for future fixtures when the entry price is multiplied by six.

Was Corney right to let rip after the Leyton Orient defeat?
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