Re: Retentions : Tue Jul 19, 2022 6:36 am  

Trojan Horse wrote:

I’m not so sure. I pretty much think we are down to our base support almost (hardcore). They turn up dispite numerous losses. I still think they’ll turn up in the championship but if we build a strong team and become winners in the league I can actually see our attendances increasing a bit from what they are now.

One things for sure though I agree we must aim for promotion in year 1 because as you say the longer we are there the harder it will be.

Keeping alot of the youth and homegrown would be a good start and key to building a competitive squad.

Talking about players like

Kershaw, Hall, Eseh, Bowes, Murphy, Shaw, Crowther, Jowitt.

These guys would be good players in the championship and would like to think they’d help us get back up to SL.

I agree on this. Shame were losing Bachelor, though I’ve not seen any official announcements bu either side. The hard thing will be keeping some of these, as I would think the likes of Jowitt and Crowther have caught the eye of some sides.

Not sure though yet, as to where our young halves are at, as yet, development wise. Maybe this would be where we need some older, wiser heads.

Hopefully, it won’t come to this though

Re: Retentions : Tue Jul 19, 2022 6:41 am  

Trojan Horse wrote:

I’m not so sure. I pretty much think we are down to our base support almost (hardcore). They turn up dispite numerous losses. I still think they’ll turn up in the championship but if we build a strong team and become winners in the league I can actually see our attendances increasing a bit from what they are now.

One things for sure though I agree we must aim for promotion in year 1 because as you say the longer we are there the harder it will be.

Keeping alot of the youth and homegrown would be a good start and key to building a competitive squad.

Talking about players like

Kershaw, Hall, Eseh, Bowes, Murphy, Shaw, Crowther, Jowitt.

These guys would be good players in the championship and would like to think they’d help us get back up to SL.

I would even advocate keeping battye as he would have found his level and his weight would be useful

Re: Retentions : Tue Jul 19, 2022 7:17 am  

Scarlet Pimpernell wrote:

I regret that relegation will mean the automatic reduction in support which is natural. To minimise the long term impact the club will need to be looking to get back into SL in the first season but I seriously doubt we have the finances to do so. The longer we are in the wilderness the harder it gets to escape and if we did then you have to hope we are good enough not to come straight back down.
With regards the quality of the squad, you think we were the dumping ground in SL just imagine the standard we will have in the championship. If any of our younger player show any promise then the temptation will be to liquidate the asset to generate income knowing they will want to leave to better themselves.

What I was alluding to Scarlett is in the cold light of day a drop down will clear the decks ,and we retain players who want to play for us instead of the mercenaries that we have at present , sucking our lifeblood out of us .Don’t forget we will more than likely be splitting into two divisions according to the Bods in the know after next season , so we would be in the second tier anyway whether we scrape by this season or not .

Re: Retentions : Tue Jul 19, 2022 8:47 am  

lampyboy wrote:

You can forget any thoughts of a return to SL should we be relegated.
Mr Carter will plan his expenditure based on gates of around 2.5 to 3 thousand, no surprise signings in store.
Getting back in to SL would be expensive and not entertained by Mr closed pockets.

You miss out corporate and sponsorship income too but even then it would be no different than if you, I or hundreds of others took over the club. I guess that's even how Ted Richardson started but soon let things get out of hand. Glover went straight in at the deep end.

Re: Retentions : Tue Jul 19, 2022 8:57 am  

Team to win the championship optimistically..
Jowitt Kershaw Croft Hall Murphy Walker AN Other Battye Bowes Whitbread Crowther Ashurst (captain) Shaw
Subs Kay Eseh ODonovan Windrow

Re: Retentions : Tue Jul 19, 2022 9:02 am  

I am guessing that big spending Leigh will be promoted and Featherstone having thrown loads of cash at trying to get promoted this year will have little money left for next season.

Re: Retentions : Tue Jul 19, 2022 9:08 am  

I remember when we were down in the old second division and it was grim. Our gates had a 'one' as the first figure more often than not. We were part time and any young talent quickly disappeared to other clubs. I think it will be tough if we drop down .It could take a few seasons to sort things around and get settled. Lets not forget the central funding next season will be peanuts. The teams down there at the moment with full time squads are being bank rolled , Leigh especially and I cant see our BoD taking that approach. I would guess we will run as a part time operation, establish our level than take it from there.

Re: Retentions : Tue Jul 19, 2022 9:13 am  

ball-in-hand wrote:

Team to win the championship optimistically..
Jowitt Kershaw Croft Hall Murphy Walker AN Other Battye Bowes Whitbread Crowther Ashurst (captain) Shaw
Subs Kay Eseh ODonovan Windrow

Sorry but you are dreaming !!
Murphy and Hall have promising SL careers infront of them.
One or two others will get full time contracts at other clubs.
One or two of the young ones will get picked up by SL clubs.
The rest would have to be prepared to either play part time or retire.
I think you are in for an almighty shock.

Re: Retentions : Tue Jul 19, 2022 9:16 am  

IMG are widely reported to be splitting the league into two after next season which obviously means we will be in the second tier along with a couple more teams that are now in the top tier . So looking forwards it may not be the death knell of our club like some imagine , and could even lead to a brighter future than the one we are looking at right now

Re: Retentions : Tue Jul 19, 2022 9:52 am  

ball-in-hand wrote:

I am guessing that big spending Leigh will be promoted and Featherstone having thrown loads of cash at trying to get promoted this year will have little money left for next season.

As has been said on here after next season it's supposedly going to 2 divisions anyway, assuming that Leigh win promotion to super league next season, do you think they have a realistic chance of staying in the top tier the year after, I only mention this in the context of your post regarding for me they're imminent promotion this season.