Should We Bring Back The Number 42?

[sgnl00]

Bring it back, but keep it as just another number. Soon we will have kids playing who were born after Milane's death. If you want to pay your respects, be the DD.

 

[Al Scorcho]

It should stay retired as a tribute to Douglas Adams.

too soon sloth.....but i lol'd

 

[PieNSauce]

Not sure if pack busting was coined for pants but some of the most enduring memories I have is of him emerging from a shattered pack, ball in hand with a a stray opponent or two hanging off him trying (unsuccessfully) to hold him back.

lol. The question was a little facetious. The fact is he took ownership of it!

 

[ClarkeM]

I voted yes but am very open-minded. Why not sit on it for another 5 years. Make it the mark of 25 years instead?

 

[standingroomonly]

I pity the poor bloke who they pick out to wear it, nobody needs that kind of pressure.

 

[Knightmare]

I'll go with yes.

It's cool retiring a jumped for 20 years. But it's time for change and time to start some new traditions within the club which are appropriate to the time we are playing in. We have won a premiership with a completely different group and a promising kid like a Jye Bolton deserves to take on the famous number and carry it with appropriate pride + spirit.

Think he would appreciate moving down a couple of numbers.

 

[mattys123]

I heard Gary Perts comments on this issue before on the radio, and it seems almost certain that the number 42 jumper will be back next season, it's just a matter of in which form.

Pert said he would consult with the Millane family, and that ultimately the decision lies with them, but that Collingwood are planning to bring the number back, with an announcement in the first week of October (which just happens to be Grand Final week this year again).

As I stated in the OP, I have no real problem with it returning, but it has to represent something more then just giving it to the young kid.

Maybe the winner of the "best first year player" award on Copeland Night this season could be given the privilege, and then allowed to wear it for the rest of his career.

That's one thing I'm sure on, I don't want the number to be swapping every year (like 35 is), I want there to be a chance that someone else can make the Millane "legacy" proud by wearing it for 8-10 years as a member of numerous premiership teams.

 

[Frankie23]

Unfortunately I'm too young to remember Darren Millane, however through many people I've heard of his great deeds to the club. Clearly I don't have as much of an emotional connection to the issue as some of the older posters however I think it is important to bring the jumper out of retirement.

We now have players on our list, the next generation, who were born after Millane passed away, and many young supporters don't understand the impact he had on our club.

If we bring it out of retirement, and go through the process properly, it'll be benefical to the history of the club and make sure his legacy continues on the field.

 

[PieBeast]

I pity the poor bloke who they pick out to wear it, nobody needs that kind of pressure.

Give it to someone who won't buckle under this pressure.
As been mentioned, a promising tough kid such as Bolton would be an ideal recipient.

 

[Scodog10]

I voted no, personally I'd like it kept on hold until someone is truly 100% worthy of it (near impossible but there are a few blokes from other teams that would do it proud in Hodge, Dangerfield and Hayes), but I think the way the club will go about it is to hand it to the winner of the Millane trophy from the previous year.

If the club don't decide to go that way and want to keep it with one player on a permanent basis the obvious choice from amongst our current ranks in my mind is Luke Ball.

 

[jonbe54]

Agree Luke has the courage and team spirit but doesn't have pants sheer brutal physicality
I can remember him emerging from a shattered pack or two with an opponent hanging off him and still delivering the ball to advantage, and I've seen the odd opposition player step lightly once pants got that red glare in his eyes and accelerated towards the ball in a straight line - no matter who or what was in the road. Tony Francis and co always played taller when the bull was in their part of the paddock.

 

[Scodog10]

Agree Luke has the courage and team spirit but doesn't have pants sheer brutal physicality

TBH if the number is returned no-one ever will be able to match the physicality and raw aggression that he played with. I just feel that we need to get this 100% right if we are to do it and awarding it to a youngster isn't doing it anywhere near the justice it deserves, especially considering Al McAlister said it would be retired FOREVER and never under any circumstance be brought back....

 

[THATSGOLD]

In respect to darrens family i think the decision should be made by them....

Being such a high number there isn't really a need to bring it out of retirement. If he say wore a low number i think there would of been more made about bringing it back sooner. Does anyone even know without looking who wears the number 41 or 43? i doubt it... most players opt to wear lower numbers eventually anyway.. So at the end of the day is there really a need to bring it out of retirement.

 

[shawthing09]

The above is spot on.

If we were talking about a low and common number in high demand I could see how it would be a bigger deal. Telling people they can't have a really common number and leaving the number vacant would be a constant reminder and I would argue eventually you have to move on. As if I don't see the big deal.

 

[MarkT2]

Dane Swan would suit the number 42. Never thought he should be wearing Rene Kink's jumper.

Really I don't care either way. Happy to bring it back or happy leave it in moth balls. There are good reasons for either.

 

[sr36]

I loved Millane, he was my favourite player by a mile. But I don't really understand why his number should be retired. He was a very good player, but he wasn't an all time great or even the captain. His death was very sad, but it's not like he died on the football field flying the flag for the mighty pies. To me the retirement of the jumper has always been a bit strange. We're not showing reverie for his football exploits, otherwise 5 and 35 would be retired. We're not showing reverie for his leadership and contribution to the club, otherwise 22 would be retrirew. It's a bit like we are showing reverie for the manner of his death, which really was an act of stupidity.

 

[jonbe54]

He was the heart and soul of the 90 flag winning team and passed away too early to leave a lasting impression on the game, much like John Greening but in a different way.

 

[Swooop]

Good thread matty.

Yep, i think it's appropraite to bring it bac.

Couldn't decide straight off so I asked myself, " What would Pants want?"

He'd love to see some young gun running around, playing with gusto, busting the odd pack or three!

So, yes, bring it back, be selective and make it an honour to be thoroughly,to be aw arded the legendary 42!

Bit like the 35...maybe the most courageous second or third yr player...bit like when Blair got a number upgrade this year...he'd have been an ideal candidate, Bolton when he upgrades etc.

 

[table tennis]

I apologize about the intrude, especially on such a topic.

I would think, the longer the jumper is retired, the more the memory of milane would fade. Kids won't know who he is etc, but if the club made a big deal, and awarded it to the right player, it would enhance the awareness of your great tough war horse, thus not letting his name fade over time, but be re-occurring honour, each time the jumper is handed out.

 

[jonbe54]

I apologize about the intrude, especially on such a topic.

I would think, the longer the jumper is retired, the more the memory of milane would fade. Kids won't know who he is etc, but if the club made a big deal, and awarded it to the right player, it would enhance the awareness of your great tough war horse, thus not letting his name fade over time, but be re-occurring honour, each time the jumper is handed out.

It's a conundrum TT finding the right youngster is the key.

 

[pants forever]

I must say I voted no, although agree with the earlier post about Bob Rose, possibly our Greatest player.

If it is brought back, I would like to see it worn by the winner of the most courageous trophy from the previous year.

 

[otfc42]

I voted no. Sorry to disagree with some posts here but out of respect for him and his family I can't yet agree to take it out of moth balls. Darren Millane was responsible in no small part for the dedication that won us the flag in 1990 and his loss still hurts. Just my opinion but I like that there's a tangible symbol of that dedication that raises the awareness of young players and supporters alike.

RIP Darren!

P.S. Although I voted for the only NO option available I have to say I don't necessarily think it's forever. I just think it's still too soon.

Greatest memory of my lifetime....."Pants" the last person to hold the ball aloft in '90.....there is no-one that can ever replicate this man.

 

[Smoky]

I apologize about the intrude, especially on such a topic.

I would think, the longer the jumper is retired, the more the memory of milane would fade. Kids won't know who he is etc, but if the club made a big deal, and awarded it to the right player, it would enhance the awareness of your great tough war horse, thus not letting his name fade over time, but be re-occurring honour, each time the jumper is handed out.

Great post for that side of the debate.

I didn't vote - because it's not my decision. My vote would be that it should be up to the Millane Family, which it appears the club has also voted to do.

 

[Tarkyn_24]

After Friday, if the Millane family are happy to have it brought back, give it to Tooves.

 

[stui magpie]

Bloody Caroline Wilson Must have been a slow week so she decided to bring this out again. 3rd rate gossip columnist masquerading as a football journalist.

I like the idea of leaving it retired. It's been almost 20 years, why bring it back now?

The fact that we do not issue the number 42 guernsey in itself creates questions and explanations about Darren. Any kid can look at the team list in the footy record and say, "Hey Dad, how come no one is No. 42? "

The longer we leave it retired, the more wrong it is to bring it back. Leave it alone, let the legend grow.