Didn’t say it was reasonable, I certainly wouldn’t pay that, it’s expensive but not a rip off, it’s the going rate, they will have researched it. I don't honestly think the 'kids' bit is relevant, we want to attract youngsters, but in truth they are still customers and we are not a charity. So if the club feel that’s what they want to charge it out at to make a profit then that is their prerogative - bookings will prove them right or wrong. The reason I believe they are able to take this line is that the new facilities will be in high demand, so they can charge the top rate for everything and can risk losing out on some of the Birthday trade.

In truth I’m not really arguing the cost it’s the reasoning. As I say there is going to need to be an adjustment as the club moves from basket case to hopefully a contender and it’s not going to be easy, it’s a new mindset.

I’m involved in a conundrum not totally dissimilar to the above myself.

I’ve been talking to JM about a way to allow fans to offer services to the club.

However we are walking a tightrope. The club does not under any circumstance want to be seen as pushing out the begging bowl. We are now a moderately successful business that has managed just recently to self fund new floodlights and a new pitch. The club has no wish to ask fans for money or support involving things that fall under the remit of the clubs core business, Rugby League.

For example, if they want to open a bar, they will employ bar staff. If a pipe bursts and floods the loo’s they will employ a plumber (although they will happily use one offering a discount for the club). They don’t expect fans support on these issues, they already have that in ST sales, gate money and merchandise.

An example of where they might accept fan support IMO is something like this. If someone said they would love to set up a disabled theatre group using the old Cats Bar function room (for example), but certain building works would need doing to allow this to happen, then they could legitimately turn to the fans. This is because it’s not the clubs core business, and it’s not what people hand over their money for. It is however a great thing to do, and a great gesture to support the wider community element of the club.

There are grey areas. There are ways fans can help the club save or make money, nobody would look a gift horse in the mouth, but generally it’s more fans supporting none or low rugby related ideas, low priority but possibly high impact initiatives.

I know I’ve gone a bit OT but I’m just pointing out how the club is changing and how that old amateurism will slowly be replaced. The club want your hard earned and now feel they can offer you far more than they could, but It will cost you, otherwise what's the point. The club only have two major income streams, SKY and the fans, that's just a fact of business life The fans are the only ones they can exploit short term, but so long as they offer value and service and there is no coercion, then that's ok by me, that's the acceptable face of capitalism. It won’t be easy and feathers will be ruffled, but hopefully when we can fund a team capable of getting us to Wembley or Old Trafford, that rather expensive birthday party will be long forgotten.

I’ve actually had sleepless nights trying to work out the differences between begging and taking taking advantage of fans, as opposed to allowing them to contribute to something they love and enjoy in a way that isn’t taking the mickey. Money and time that as already mentioned they have already given by buying ST’s etc. It's harder than I thought tbh.