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Timeline: How Harris saga unfolded
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| Iestyn Harris could never have dreamed the dispute over his signing between Leeds and Bradford would rumble on for four years |
The decision to settle the Iestyn Harris case out of court has finally brought an end to one of the longest-running sagas of Super League history.
When the player returned to the sport from Welsh rugby union way back in July 2004, it is hard to imagine anyone believing the wrangle would only just now be reaching an amicable conclusion. Not least Harris himself.
Indeed, in November of that year, the former Leeds skipper said he hoped a resolution would be found in "five to six weeks."
Almost four years on it still isn't over for him, with his own club now possibly looking to him to cover their outlay in the final pay-off.
Leeds began proceedings against Harris shortly after he left Cardiff RU for the Bulls.
Bradford, meanwhile, were delighted at getting one over their bitter rivals, snapping the ex-Great Britain star and Man of Steel up on a four-and-a-half year deal.
But Leeds sued the player for breach of contract when, after quitting union, he turned his back on a commitment to re-join them.
Ironically, though, did they even want the ageing No 6 when they had just seen their own young shining star Danny McGuire shoot them to Super League success?
The Bulls maintained they did no wrong-doing with their part in the deal but a year later, in 2005, after a High Court judgement ruled Harris's contract with the Rhinos was legally enforceable, the seeds were well and truly sewn for a marathon battle between the feuding neighbours.
It ordered the Bulls and Harris to pay the Rhinos' legal costs of £64,000 but the extent of any award for damages remained undetermined.
Harris stayed positive, saying: "Hopefully we are getting to the tail end of it now, it will be put to bed reasonably quickly and everyone concerned will just be able to concentrate on rugby league."
If only. The dispute raged on, costs grew bigger - the Bulls reached around £120,000 - and with the painfully slow legal process, while awaiting rulings in other cases which could set precedents, weeks turned into months and ultimately years.
All parties entered mediation at the end of last year but to no avail and, in January 2008, Bulls chairman Peter Hood admitted he was preparing for a showdown week in High Court sometime during 2009.
He also revealed for the first time the amount of compensation Leeds were actually seeking - an astounding £3.2million.
Hood declared such a sum could bankrupt the club and it now appears making those figures public in January may have helped encourage the Rhinos into reaching this final agreement.
Bradford have had to apologise for their actions and admit they were wrong - albeit unknowingly - while make some financial outlay to cover costs and compensation.
But the decision saves both sides potentially massive further expenses in High Court and hopefully draws a line under the whole sorry tale.
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5:58pm Thursday 8th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: haitch, Lincolnshire on 7:55pm Thu 8 May 08
Let's hope it has indeed drawn a line under the whole sorry tale. The big question on all the fans lips will now be "what is the settlement cost" and the fans have a right to know. The Bulls must act quickly IMO to stop all the speculation regarding Sam Burgess being part of it. Surely, if there are reasons for the Bulls not revealing the actual cost just now, they could at least tell us no player is involved and that would end all this tittle tattle. Come on you Bulls TELL US!!
Let's hope it has indeed drawn a line under the whole sorry tale. The big question on all the fans lips will now be "what is the settlement cost" and the fans have a right to know. The Bulls must act quickly IMO to stop all the speculation regarding Sam Burgess being part of it. Surely, if there are reasons for the Bulls not revealing the actual cost just now, they could at least tell us no player is involved and that would end all this tittle tattle. Come on you Bulls TELL US!!
Posted by: LeagueJunkie!!!, Lost Again. on 7:59pm Thu 8 May 08
Agreed Haitch.
Hood would have a lynch mob at his door if that happened, I'm sure.
Follow Hood and you follow Bulls into dark times, the man needs to leave.
Agreed Haitch.
Hood would have a lynch mob at his door if that happened, I'm sure.
Follow Hood and you follow Bulls into dark times, the man needs to leave.
Posted by: damo, wibsey on 8:13pm Thu 8 May 08
yep thats right i remembering him saying that the bulls would win the case what a joke
yep thats right i remembering him saying that the bulls would win the case what a joke
Posted by: MQBlank, south yorks on 9:11pm Thu 8 May 08
most of this has been about saving face , neither team would benifit from going to court cause they cant risk losing , so this way leeds get to say that they won and were in the right and the bulls swollow there pride and dont run the risk of shelling out a large sum. I think the largest part of the settlement will be the costs. If thats the case then leeds wont want the settlement published, as people will just say " all this for that pittiful sum" I think the RFL may have had a hand in the mediation , bringing to an end a stupid stare off between 2 egos
most of this has been about saving face , neither team would benifit from going to court cause they cant risk losing , so this way leeds get to say that they won and were in the right and the bulls swollow there pride and dont run the risk of shelling out a large sum. I think the largest part of the settlement will be the costs. If thats the case then leeds wont want the settlement published, as people will just say " all this for that pittiful sum" I think the RFL may have had a hand in the mediation , bringing to an end a stupid stare off between 2 egos
Posted by: haitch, Lincolnshire on 9:23pm Thu 8 May 08
[quote][bold]MQBlank[/bold] wrote:
most of this has been about saving face , neither team would benifit from going to court cause they cant risk losing , so this way leeds get to say that they won and were in the right and the bulls swollow there pride and dont run the risk of shelling out a large sum. I think the largest part of the settlement will be the costs. If thats the case then leeds wont want the settlement published, as people will just say " all this for that pittiful sum" I think the RFL may have had a hand in the mediation , bringing to an end a stupid stare off between 2 egos [/quote] Yes I like your interpretation of the issues MQBlank and I dare say you are close to the truth of the matter. It's been a rediculous situation so I hope the Bulls will come clean to the fans and tell us it's just an agreed financial settlement and nothing more. At least the Bulls are now in control of their financial future and that should be good for planning the way ahead.
MQBlank wrote:
most of this has been about saving face , neither team would benifit from going to court cause they cant risk losing , so this way leeds get to say that they won and were in the right and the bulls swollow there pride and dont run the risk of shelling out a large sum. I think the largest part of the settlement will be the costs. If thats the case then leeds wont want the settlement published, as people will just say " all this for that pittiful sum" I think the RFL may have had a hand in the mediation , bringing to an end a stupid stare off between 2 egos
Yes I like your interpretation of the issues MQBlank and I dare say you are close to the truth of the matter. It's been a rediculous situation so I hope the Bulls will come clean to the fans and tell us it's just an agreed financial settlement and nothing more. At least the Bulls are now in control of their financial future and that should be good for planning the way ahead.
Posted by: stever, Bradford on 12:08am Fri 9 May 08
[quote][bold]damo[/bold] wrote:
yep thats right i remembering him saying that the bulls would win the case what a joke[/quote] We might have won the case but it was too big of a risk to take going to court.
damo wrote:
yep thats right i remembering him saying that the bulls would win the case what a joke
We might have won the case but it was too big of a risk to take going to court.
Posted by: LeagueJunkie!!!, Lost Again. on 12:28am Fri 9 May 08
[quote][bold]stever[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]damo[/bold] wrote: yep thats right i remembering him saying that the bulls would win the case what a joke[/quote] We might have won the case but it was too big of a risk to take going to court.[/quote] Why in case we lost?
stever wrote:
damo wrote: yep thats right i remembering him saying that the bulls would win the case what a joke
We might have won the case but it was too big of a risk to take going to court.
Why in case we lost?
Posted by: stever, Bradford on 2:10am Fri 9 May 08
[quote][bold]LeagueJunkie!!![/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]stever[/bold] wrote: [quote][bold]damo[/bold] wrote: yep thats right i remembering him saying that the bulls would win the case what a joke[/quote] We might have won the case but it was too big of a risk to take going to court.[/quote] Why in case we lost?[/quote] Yes courts can be wonderful mysterious places were strange things happen all the time.
LeagueJunkie!!! wrote:
stever wrote: damo wrote: yep thats right i remembering him saying that the bulls would win the case what a joke
We might have won the case but it was too big of a risk to take going to court.
Why in case we lost?
Yes courts can be wonderful mysterious places were strange things happen all the time.
Posted by: LeagueJunkie!!!, Lost Again. on 10:12am Fri 9 May 08
[quote][bold]stever[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]LeagueJunkie!!![/bold] wrote: [quote][bold]stever[/bold] wrote: [quote][bold]damo[/bold] wrote: yep thats right i remembering him saying that the bulls would win the case what a joke[/quote] We might have won the case but it was too big of a risk to take going to court.[/quote] Why in case we lost?[/quote] Yes courts can be wonderful mysterious places were strange things happen all the time.[/quote] So then why did he claim he was confident of winning and then back out at crunch time?
stever wrote:
LeagueJunkie!!! wrote: stever wrote: damo wrote: yep thats right i remembering him saying that the bulls would win the case what a joke
We might have won the case but it was too big of a risk to take going to court.
Why in case we lost?
Yes courts can be wonderful mysterious places were strange things happen all the time.
So then why did he claim he was confident of winning and then back out at crunch time?
Posted by: SHAUN, richmond on 10:17am Fri 9 May 08
[quote][bold]LeagueJunkie!!![/bold] wrote:
Agreed Haitch. Hood would have a lynch mob at his door if that happened, I'm sure. Follow Hood and you follow Bulls into dark times, the man needs to leave.[/quote] Hang on ...You mean Hood isnt leaving????
LeagueJunkie!!! wrote:
Agreed Haitch. Hood would have a lynch mob at his door if that happened, I'm sure. Follow Hood and you follow Bulls into dark times, the man needs to leave.
Hang on ...You mean Hood isnt leaving????
Posted by: LeagueJunkie!!!, Lost Again. on 10:24am Fri 9 May 08
[quote][bold]SHAUN[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]LeagueJunkie!!![/bold] wrote: Agreed Haitch. Hood would have a lynch mob at his door if that happened, I'm sure. Follow Hood and you follow Bulls into dark times, the man needs to leave.[/quote] Hang on ...You mean Hood isnt leaving???? [/quote] We can sit in hope, Shaun.
SHAUN wrote:
LeagueJunkie!!! wrote: Agreed Haitch. Hood would have a lynch mob at his door if that happened, I'm sure. Follow Hood and you follow Bulls into dark times, the man needs to leave.
Hang on ...You mean Hood isnt leaving????
We can sit in hope, Shaun.
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