Re: not much sympathy for us : Thu Jul 28, 2011 10:16 am  

Cheers TS, makes it even more of a farce doesn't it.

I hope all teams can come together and basically stick two's up at them.

Re: not much sympathy for us : Thu Jul 28, 2011 10:27 am  

Chris.Taylor wrote:

Cheers TS, makes it even more of a farce doesn't it.

I hope all teams can come together and basically stick two's up at them.

But, following on from that set back Chris, our kids were then made "free agents" rich for picking by those clubs with existing scholarships, my own lad being one of them. Most of the lads have moved onto other clubs, all of which just happen to be SL clubs, some in our district, some in Lancashire. Some of the lads weren't picked up & continued to play with their junior/amateur clubs.
Calderdale is very, very rich pickings for junior talent with the number of local clubs. This isn't a criticism here, but by comparison Featherstone for example, other than Lions, which other junior clubs are within the town's boundaries ?
Our neighbourly SL clubs identified Calderdale/Halifax as being such a rich vein a few years ago and in the period prior to Halifax RLFC resurecting their scholarship programme, some of our local lads were being courted by neighbouring clubs and were being told that Halifax had nothing to offer them development wise. All of this type of behaviour has always gone on & I suppose always will do, but that doesn't make it right or correct.

Re: not much sympathy for us : Thu Jul 28, 2011 10:48 am  

I don't see it as a criticism, we are both in the same boat, infact all teams in the Championship are, hence why we need to work together.

I imagine, it's Fev Lions, Knottingley, Ackworth, but I'm not entirely sure, but we, like you, will play second fiddle to our Super League neighbours.

How many of these 'free agents' have gone on to play in Super League yet? If and hopefully they will do, that'll be even worse

Common sense - HELLO! Shame, a certain organisation doesn't use it.

Re: not much sympathy for us : Thu Jul 28, 2011 11:12 am  

Chris.Taylor wrote:

I don't see it as a criticism, we are both in the same boat, infact all teams in the Championship are, hence why we need to work together.

I imagine, it's Fev Lions, Knottingley, Ackworth, but I'm not entirely sure, but we, like you, will play second fiddle to our Super League neighbours.

How many of these 'free agents' have gone on to play in Super League yet? If and hopefully they will do, that'll be even worse

Common sense - HELLO! Shame, a certain organisation doesn't use it.

None of the former Halifax scholars are old enough to play first grade yet. Some are currently playing 18's academy though, this, after beginning their season in late august early september 2010 the longest season in history. This is the SL clubs' idea of looking after their talented youth !!!! They'll be on their knees by the time they're 21 years old if they continue to run them into the ground. Some of these lads have even progressed to national camp & played a double headed fixture against Wales & France at U 16's level over easter, the lads need rest.

Re: not much sympathy for us : Thu Jul 28, 2011 12:16 pm  

Fax Missionary wrote: Interesting (if ill informed) assessment of the benefits of the franchise decision from one of the Fev board members. Seems all the top teams in the championship are about to implode, paving the way for Fev to storm into SL. http://www.totalrl.com/forums/index.php ... y-for-fev/ Think I would be more concerned about my own clubs fans leaving in droves if I were him rather than those other clubs. OK, so please explain to me how it is ill informed? Also GFB, why is it comedy gold? The context is in trying to build up the number of Fev fan's, most of which feel aggrieved as to what you have been through. And you will not that I sign off by saying that we have some things to fix - alluding to our reputation and problems we need to support. Yes, I realise we have a problem and my head is not in the sand. In fact you may wish to check out my points the morning after the semi. You may also wish to view my posts following the NRC final that I attended. So come on, let's have a proper debate for the good of Championship Rugby, rather than sniping at what others have put in the context of speaking to their own forum.

Fax Missionary wrote: Interesting (if ill informed) assessment of the benefits of the franchise decision from one of the Fev board members. Seems all the top teams in the championship are about to implode, paving the way for Fev to storm into SL. http://www.totalrl.com/forums/index.php ... y-for-fev/ Think I would be more concerned about my own clubs fans leaving in droves if I were him rather than those other clubs. OK, so please explain to me how it is ill informed? Also GFB, why is it comedy gold? The context is in trying to build up the number of Fev fan's, most of which feel aggrieved as to what you have been through. And you will not that I sign off by saying that we have some things to fix - alluding to our reputation and problems we need to support. Yes, I realise we have a problem and my head is not in the sand. In fact you may wish to check out my points the morning after the semi. You may also wish to view my posts following the NRC final that I attended. So come on, let's have a proper debate for the good of Championship Rugby, rather than sniping at what others have put in the context of speaking to their own forum.

Re: not much sympathy for us : Thu Jul 28, 2011 12:23 pm  

marillion man wrote:

But, following on from that set back Chris, our kids were then made "free agents" rich for picking by those clubs with existing scholarships, my own lad being one of them. Most of the lads have moved onto other clubs, all of which just happen to be SL clubs, some in our district, some in Lancashire. Some of the lads weren't picked up & continued to play with their junior/amateur clubs.
Calderdale is very, very rich pickings for junior talent with the number of local clubs. This isn't a criticism here, but by comparison Featherstone for example, other than Lions, which other junior clubs are within the town's boundaries ?
Our neighbourly SL clubs identified Calderdale/Halifax as being such a rich vein a few years ago and in the period prior to Halifax RLFC resurecting their scholarship programme, some of our local lads were being courted by neighbouring clubs and were being told that Halifax had nothing to offer them development wise. All of this type of behaviour has always gone on & I suppose always will do, but that doesn't make it right or correct.

All true, but I would argue that Featherstone is even more a competitive area. Cas, Wakey and Leeds run some of the best scholarships in the business. So how can we compete for young players. Answer, we have invested in a player pathway. And yes we campaign like hell about the cost of doing so and the wrongs. I personally think that know we have invested in youth and competed well that are argument with the RFL is a stronger one.

Halifax could have done the same. Widnes and Sheffield did. Just depends what your strategic objectives are and where your priorities lie.

The point to note here is that all Championship clubs should be working together to write these wrongs, but they don't do they. Just another example of poor governance of clubs and poor organisation and a mindset that lives for today.

As for your U23s doing better than ours. Congrats, good effort in first season. However, our U23s is now used a player pathway team. Last season when we did not have U18s we got to the Grand Final (lost to Whitehaven). So most in that team are underage and it is a stepping stone from 18s to first team.

Re: not much sympathy for us : Thu Jul 28, 2011 12:31 pm  

Actually I apologise for one thing I said about Fax. Complete rebuilding job is way over the top. Actually you have a lot to build-on and started taking good steps after last season by cutting playing budget and entering an U23's. Good core fan base and great history.

What I meant was, rebuilding an coaching team and continuing to refresh squad, as well as building a youth structure.

As my mate said to me at the NRC final, I sound like a closet Fax fan.

Re: not much sympathy for us : Thu Jul 28, 2011 9:37 pm  

Its a sad fact that people like to see the demise of their rivals so in a way no surprise other Championship clubs fans are not showing us much sympathy, it means that we are not doing better than them so they like it as they might actually beat us and push us down the league is what they will believe.
But they are being very short sighted as what does this mean for our leagyue in the LONG TERM?

This is not just about halifax RLFc and Wakefield for that matter its the whole game below SL level.
And I am worried it looks bleak.

Re: not much sympathy for us : Thu Jul 28, 2011 10:18 pm  

Fax4Life wrote:

Its a sad fact that people like to see the demise of their rivals so in a way no surprise other Championship clubs fans are not showing us much sympathy, it means that we are not doing better than them so they like it as they might actually beat us and push us down the league is what they will believe.
But they are being very short sighted as what does this mean for our leagyue in the LONG TERM?

This is not just about halifax RLFc and Wakefield for that matter its the whole game below SL level.
And I am worried it looks bleak.

Correct , being a big fish in a tiny pond is no preparation for the sharks of SL , being strong in among other similar clubs is what is needed , that also has the added attraction to the RFL of not damaging whichever unfortunate club they pick on too much as well

Re: not much sympathy for us : Thu Jul 28, 2011 10:40 pm  

Starbug wrote:

Correct , being a big fish in a tiny pond is no preparation for the sharks of SL , being strong in among other similar clubs is what is needed , that also has the added attraction to the RFL of not damaging whichever unfortunate club they pick on too much as well

It was you guys before us and they are like a bunch of bullies, somehow Wakey managed to get the bully off their back, who next?