Rugby League: Gary goes hungry if Leeds succeed; HETHERINGTON FAMILY GOES TO WAR AS KATH SHOWS SHE'S A REALTHUNDERBIRD.
GARY HETHERINGTON will not taste home cooking for a week if Leeds notch a third win over Gateshead Thunder tomorrow.The Hetherington family is at war as Super League title-chasers Leeds go to top-five hopefuls Gateshead.
The tension has been building in the Hetherington household before the biggest match in Thunder's brief history.
For Gary is the Leeds chief executive, while his wife Kath is the Gateshead chairman and co-owner.
Gary said: "Kath didn't cook me a meal for four days after we beat Gateshead 32-14 at Headingley in June.
"This match is so crucial I can see myself eating takeaways and microwave meals for a week if Leeds chalk up another win."
It is not only Rugby League's most famous Mr. and Mrs. who are caught up in the great divide. The three Hetherington children also have split loyalties.
Daughters Lucy, 18, and Polly, 14, will be sitting with Kath in the Gateshead directors' box but son Matthew, 16, will be cheering with dad for Leeds.
Gary and Kath were founder members of Sheffield Eagles in 1984, and the family were united for 12 years.
"We were all Sheffield fanatics," said Gary, 45, "but the problems started when we sold our shares in 1996.
"I moved to Leeds as chief executive, and Kath started playing golf every day. But Rugby League is in her blood and she soon got fed up."
Kath, 46, pumped the family savings into launching Gateshead this season with Aussie Shane Richardson.
The pair injected pounds 500,000, while Northern Gas and Electric are also investing a similar amount over three years.
Gary said: "I didn't mind backing Kath because she gave me her full support when I formed Sheffield.
"It's been a difficult week, and Kath has sneaked off to a quiet room in the house to regularly phone Shaun McRae, the Gateshead coach. But she doesn't know I've been listening at the door.
"Lucy sells fund-raising tickets at Gateshead matches and she has even applied to Newcastle University for next year.
"Polly also sells Thunder merchandise but Matt is now a converted Leeds fan."
The family home is in Pontefract but the Hetheringtons spend several nights together at their flat in York, which is a halfway house between Gateshead and Leeds.
Kath says: "We'll be having a family meal out in York on Saturday night but we're banned from talking rugby.
"It's a crucial game for Gateshead as we go for a top-five spot because we have lost our last two against Bradford and London. But to be still in there fighting for a play-off spot has exceeded our pre-season expectations.
"We've had three 6,000-plus gates - against Bradford, St. Helens and Leeds. Now we are hoping for a record."
Leeds face the toughest run-in with Wigan, Bradford and London their remaining opponents.
Gary says: "Finishing in the top three is so important because it gives teams a second chance in the play- offs if they lose the opening match.
"This will be like a cup semi-final for both clubs." Leeds youngster Garreth Carvell plays his final match on loan for Gateshead.
Gary said: "The month's loan expires after the game and we didn't want him to play but have to accept the rules.
"He's an exciting youngster but hopefully he won't be a thorn in our side.
"Gateshead have beaten Wigan and St. Helens this season. They have a form winger in Matt Daylight and one of the world's top kickers in Ian Herron."
Kath, a former chairman of the Rugby League, was born into a sporting family.
Three of her four brothers were RL professionals. Gary played for Wakefield Trinity in the famous "watersplash" Cup Final final against Leeds in 1968.
Younger brother Steve played for Sheffield in their first match in 1984.
Gary said: "Kath is so steeped in Rugby League that many people believe that if she had been born a boy, she would have been the best player of the lot.
"We met at a reserve match at Headingley. Her brother Gary was Wakefield coach when I turned professional in 1973.
"She's a dynamic personality. She's also a good cook but I hope she stays out of the kitchen for a few days after this weekend."
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| Title Annotation: | Sport |
|---|---|
| Author: | Burke, David A. |
| Publication: | The Mirror (London, England) |
| Date: | Aug 21, 1999 |
| Words: | 708 |
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