I also find it extraordinary that in being recognised as such a vital player for the club, we the fans continue to read that his future with the club is in doubt and that his agent is at present touting Super League clubs for a contract at the end of this season.

Come on Mr Hetherington, if we want to remain at the top we need to keep players like Brent Webb.

Stop the speculation, let's hear he's got a new contract with the Rhinos!

AMY EVANS, Wakefield (Worried Rhinos season ticket holder)
****

IT is essential that Brent Webb's contract is renewed by the Rhinos at the end of the season – whatever the cost.

Webb is one of the club's greatest overseas signings, combining instinctive attacking flair with resolute defence.

He is the complete full-back, and a joy to watch.

I am sure that the other 12,000 Rhinos season ticket holders would quite gladly pay an extra £5 on their season tickets next year to directly pay for an enhanced long-term contract for Webb.

Such quality is a rare commodity, and needs careful attention.

SIMON WHITEHEAD, Adel

****

For all those people who believe that today's football is superior to that served up in previous years, I'd like to make one or two observations.

Firstly, look at some of the goals scored in the 1940s and 1950s compared to those scored today.

I do know that in my day to win the treble chance in football, one had to pick eight draws (including 0-0s).

Later, they had to change that to eight score draws because there were too many 0-0s.

Yes, defenders did kick the ball back to the goalie. But you see in those days, players needed a breather because substitutes were not allowed, even for injured players. So teams often had to play with 10 men.

Going back to goals scored, in 1951 when Barnsley had six British internationals in their team, 'Cec' McCormack scored five against England's centre-half, Syd Owen of Luton Town.

Also you have to remember that these players were playing with the leather football, which is vastly different to the balls of today.
I would like to see David Beckham bend one of those old balls like George Best and Johnny Kelly of Barnsley used to do.

Best once deliberately tried to score from a corner but hit the crossbar, while Kelly spotted there was no-one on the near post and did swerve it in from a flag-kick.

When England lost 6-3 to Hungary, it was the first time England had lost at home to a team outside of the British Isles and Hungary were a brilliant side. Remember Ferenc Puskas?

Back to goals scored – and in that 50/51 season and McCormack scored 34 goals. Earlier, Tommy Lawton scored over 40 while before the war, Dixie Dean scored over 60. Len Shackleton scored eight when Newcastle beat Newport 13-0 in the old second division while Barnsley hold the record away win of 8-0.

I have been a Barnsley supporter since 1946 but, as a pensioner, I have to pick my matches.

Today though, it's much more entertaining to watch the local sides than professional sides.

I have watched Barnsley more than once with 40,000 crammed into Oakwell and there was no crowd trouble in those days.

I think the present Barnsley team is the best I have seen from the point of view of winning (or not losing).

JOE ALLEN, Hemsworth

****

Now Leeds United's points appeal fiasco is over, I'm glad Ken Bates, left, has decided to draw a line under this sorry state of affairs.
It's been a complete shambles from start to finish and hopefully important lessons will be learned.

I think most fans were resigned to the fact that there wouldn't be a points deduction on appeal and didn't pin their hopes on one.
If we go up through the play-offs that would be a magnificent achievement and one to be proud of. Then we would be in the headlines, and for all the right reasons this time.

The piece of history we would make would be a lasting one and one nobody could deny us that.

Through adversity we have come a long way. The loyal fans deserve this moment.

MR G COLEMAN, Batley