THE Rugby Football League can look, at times, like a child with low self-esteem because of their seemingly constant craving to show they have got plenty of support.

And so when this week they were able to announce that the powers that mattered had granted them the opportunity to have a statue erected at Wembley the press release was headlined: ‘Parliamentary Rugby League Group delighted at Wembley statue’.

While it is wonderful to know that there was obviously dancing in the halls of Westminster (as the late, great Bill McLaren would no doubt have dubbed it), why could they not have just said that in a couple of years there will be something extra around the Wembley complex where you can have a quick nap or balance your beer.

But I have to give credit to Rugby League Group Vice-Chairman David Mowat MP, who is a Warrington fan, for he pointed out that the big challenge was finding a fitting symbol to represent the history of Challenge Cup finals at Wembley and as he quite rightly ventured: “There are so many possibilities to choose from.”

Simple club prejudices mean that everyone will have their own preferences.

For example when in the office I suggested Neil Fox, the Fartown fan sitting next to me to suggested Don Fox.

While hurtful to a Wakefield Trinity follower, I have to admit I would like to see any sculptor take on the challenge of depicting a rugby player, a set of posts and a ball missing the target in the pouring rain – it would be a truly serious artistic achievement.

But what we need is something that means a lot to the many fans of rugby league’s family of clubs and which causes offence to only a minority.

For that reason my vote would be Leeds’ Syd Hynes getting sent off in the 1971 final when they lost to Leigh.