I just thought I'd stick my two penneth in prior to the bitterness once again kicking in just before lunchtime tomorrow over what I expect to be our rejection SL bid.
I believe that the box ticking process for 2015 will be the last time it occurs, beyond then there will be no P & R whatsoever, drawbridge firmly slammed shut.
I really don't understand why 'Fax fans believe that our club tick all the current boxes, surely we don't have the required average crowds, or junior set up in place.
How do supporters expect our club to operate financially & budget accordingly to compete at SL level in the current climate ? Yesterday's attendance was in my eyes nothing more than pitiful, holiday period accepted, but we really are at a hardcore of just under 2,000 nowadays.
I understand that while ever there's a 14 team SL comp, the clubs agreed to a 3 club from development areas inclusion, thus leaving 11 traditional or heartlands clubs to make up the total.
I do believe that the current B.O.D. have worked seriously hard to achieve their targets since the last round of licences, personally, having worked closely with Mr. Steele & Mr. Riley in particular in my former role of scholarship co-ordinator. I know how much energy, passion, time and care they have for our club and I appreciate their efforts & dearly wish they could be rewarded with the ultimate goal, they are fine men and importantly in their positions, they are genuine rugby league men, that really counts for a lot. I felt humbled & honoured to represent our club in my role & it was a pleasure beyond explanation to have my foot in the workings of the club, but the lack of juniors is a massive issue & I know how we tried & tried to get the districts talent to join our club, but the lack of SL status is a hurdle too high sometimes in this part of recruitment.
Finally, supporters' dreams of a sugar daddy floating our club I.M.O. goes against what franchising stands for, franchising was brought in to make professional RL clubs look at how they account for their finances and to be self-sufficient in business-like manner. I'm no longer jealous of other clubs with sugar daddies because in the lifespan of franchising, those very clubs have found ways around this, the thing that does bother me though is that whenever an individual decides to withdraw his financial backing with the salaries that not just the playing staff earn, there's all the full time admin salaries etc etc, a club will be in ruin. If our club remains cometetive at the level we're at now and for the most recent two seasons I see no reason to be dis-appointed. I just wonder how our club's officials will find the motivation or will to continue while ever the goal posts are shifted again & again & again.