Be firm, show some bottle, continue to speak out about the ridiculous franchising system?

I can just see it now, the next time the franchise announcement is made...it will be like groundhog day.

As already mentioned many times on these threads IT'S GOT TO BE A COLLECTIVE and not just a Fax thing.

RFL can ignore Fax BUT NOT a collective from the rest of the championship clubs which from my understanding is precisely the grounds on which the protests are being made.

We all know what happened on Groundhog Day. It kept going on in perpetuity.

I am under no illusion that the Clubs` Board have no doubt been leaned on by the RFL to produce this statement to bring the Fax fans into line.As there was quite a big piece in the rugby papers this Monday stating we intended to do some kind of protest.
However even Mr Abbott by the looks of things does not realise this protest is not about Fax not geting into Super League although it may have been the catalyst it`s about the RFL s total lack of respect for the Championship Clubs.
It`s about a fair deal for everyone and I for one still believe in that it`s not just Fax fans that are fed up with how the spirit of the game has gone but a good deal of others too.
The T. shirts can still be worn as the RFL cannot stop the fans wearing a Tshirt
that we want to wear and they will still be available for donations at over £3-50 each.

Exactly my point , it is not about Fax persay .

It just does not add up the BOD new we was having this meeting and where happy for us to go ahead with a protest at the Widnes game as long as it was peaceful. They met the RFL last Tuesday so why wait until now to plead with us to stay quiet? What I heard is that the club did not agree to release the joint statement so why the sudden change of Heart? Something smells fishy and I am not talking about the contents of Baldricks apple crumble.

The spirit of 1885 will go on viva La resistance

Never a truer word said. For one of the Directers to come out with a statement, that the fans might be "un helpful" is a bit much. IMO. The fans backed the Directers to a one, against most of posters on other Forums, and then get kicked in the teeth with a statement like that. Unreal. How do you think you will ever get 10,000 in the ground with talk like that.

The reason they have come out with this now is because the protest is tomorrow night and the RFL cannot get all Fax fans in a room and tell us not to do it.I have the greatest sympathy with our board but it still does not alter what the SPIRIT OF 1895 is all about.

I really do despise the RFL and everything they stand for we are the spirit of 1895 and they can try as much as the can but they will never break our spirit. Viva la resistance

As usual Starbug you talk a lot of sense and I feel for Our Board who are probably caught between a rock and a hard place but as I said some of us cannot say we will not wear a Tshirt about the RFL regardless of what the Board have said to our Club.The RFL are not makeing any statements to say they are going to be fairer to all Championship Clubs and be more transparent so my views are the same.

Oh

2 weeks after the event we finally get a statement but we're still none the wiser!
i know the club are having to bend over to the rfl but why on earth cant they come out and tell us why our licence bid was not successful and what areas need to be worked on.
we're not asking for much and it wont change anything but it might at least help us to move forward.

What a joke!

Could you expand upon your post Freddie ?

Eh??

Sure Mr Bug.

A pretty nebulous statement that can be seen from many angles.

Could be seen as a bit of a kick in the teeth to the fax fans from their very own BOD

Could be seen as the Halifax club bending over and taking a big one from the RFL - "play the game if you want to be in"

Could be interpreted as the BOD saying, best just to shut up and fade away cos our licence application really was crap - if so, be honest, meet with us, let us know how we can improve.

It either makes my great club look like a bitter organisation or meak organisation cowtowing to the RFL or it makes the RFL look like all controlling power mad freaks!

Hope that helps Mr Bug - by the way, love the things you say, especially over on the VT with Smokey, we couldn't want someone better to support us. Our two great clubs need to combine and push the championships cause!

Love in over

Freddie

Having just read that statement just goes to illustrate why the protest is needed. The club has been gagged and the governing body are not listening to their 'customers' - us the paying supporters. The 'customers' only voice now is to vote with their feet and turn away from the sport. This is becoming clear with dwindling crowds and more talk and chatter around the game than the game. As long as the RFL govern the lower leagues in this manner, crowds will fall further and we will end up with crowds like championship 1 with the game slowly dying.

Now I've looked what ' nebulous ' means I see what you mean , pretty much my opinion as well , the clubs have to do what they do , wether we think it is right , correct , honest or fair is irrelevant , all we can do is continue to support them in the future , they will do good things and similarly make mistakes as well , they are human , just like us

Should what they do affect how we feel or what we do ?

No

All the best , keep making me laugh , your one liners are excellent , always straight to the point

Love in over now

Cheers Starry!

Power to the people!

For what its worth, starbug, I think its a statement designed to avert attention from both the club and the RFL, for whatever reason, as the club seem reluctant to release a joint statement. A statement designed to take the sting out of a potentially embarassing situation for everyone.

I think its backfired

It's obviously a difficult situation for the club and Linda's comment of stuck between a rock and a hard place probably sums it up.

We all love the club and everyone involved with the running of it are all fans. Obviously nobody wants to damage long term relations with the governing body and that is very important.

I admire the fans for making a stance, I really do. I have been tempted to put a few things on to vent my disappoint but held back because I think it's for the best from my point of view & position in the club.

One of the reasons I have posted is that I want you fans to know that the club really appreciates your support and the fantastic things you've done in raising funds this year.

In the words of Bryan Ferry - Let's stick together.

And nobody will know if i'm wearing my 'Spirit of 1895' top underneath my Matalan shirt tomorrow if I get on sky!

Spot on -
I understand why the Board have done this, they have been ordered to do so by the RFL and are powerless as the RFL will 'get us back' if they carry on with their protestations.
But I am not being gagged as we the fans of the clubs below SL are the only people the RFL cannot control as this is England and a free country. We must do the protest otherwise the RFL have won and Fat Controller will be laughing his head off.
Lets do it, sorry Tony but this is not you the club its us the fans doing it so don't worry.
If we just cave in then that to me will prove just how much power the RFL have, they are a mafia.

If I can just squeeze myself in between Starbug and Freddies wig little love in that`s going on

and just say the statement (apart from one sentance) was what I expected to be honest but it`s not just about issues at Fax , other Clubs are also looking at starting their own little groups so I`m supposed to run around like Sgt Pyke from Dads Army because he thinks the Germans are coming.No way.
I could not believe it last night when I watched Toy Story 3 with my grandaughter it was a direct anolagy to the RFL and the Champ Clubs An evil big Teddy with his henchman Baby all the toys wanting to get into the nice room of Sunnyside Nursery but instead are put in the room where everyone treats them badly. But as it`s a Fairy Story the toys all fought back and won the day. But this is not a Fairy Story but I`m not prepared to let the RFL tell me I cannot wear a T shirt.
Oh and Pete I admire you greatly how you keep quiet when the RFL provide you with such funny material which you could use if you chose shows resiliance of the highest order.