Just thought I'd start a little debate....

It's obvious Bradford and Leigh are miles in front of most at the moment and a three tier league is developing.

As of next season, Fev are hoping to go full time and Sheff have, it is claimed, a mystery backer and are already full time.

That then leaves us as possibly the best of the rest only able to spend to a reduced cap and probably having to go more down the loan/DR route. I know missing out on second place forced our hand somewhat this season.

My question is - does anyone know what the funding situation is like for next season and are we happy to be the best of the second bunch in the championship - it would seem to be this is our destiny at the moment.

Do we think the new system will cause a loss in intetest in the Championship due to a lopsided competition and would more screening on TV/better marketing from the RFL help?

remember one of the directors at the meet the players night saying we will be looking to go full time again in the near future

Did he say how this was going to be funded?

Littlerich is giving up his Pocket Money



sorry but couldn't resist.

Sorry, I don't understand the question. Phoenix Nights

Cheery Tree, shudds. Hawkshead Jester 3.7 % Mmm! P.S. Don't mention DR, I think they've forgotten about it.

can't remember mate. remember it being mentioned when they were talking about the training ground and grants to do with that

Seriously, whilst performances and entertainment have improved greatly, results haven't. A 50% record is no better than under KH

Sportsman, shudds. Mallinsons Cascade. 4.1 % Mmm!

This weeks rugby league press hints at the Halifax Bank as coming back on board with Fax as a major sponsor for next season, whether true or not, time will tell.

There's no doubting we have a great coach now - in all regards. But how long can we keep hold of him - will our ambition match his?

If I won the Euro lottery I'd park two million of it and sink the rest into Fax. What a party!!

The results are the same but the squad needs time to gel though I do think a new half back is required though if IT happens is another thing.

If most SL clubs run a deficit how on earth can Championship clubs afford long term FT teams? The mind boggles.

You have answered your own question. Championship clubs have a higher deficit that has to be picked up by somebody.

I honestly think that Marshall is capable of coaching a team to beat Full Time teams even with a part time squad, he just needs time to establish himself and bring in his own players.

Nat ,this is Charlie being serious

I have listened to what Richard M has had to say on Fax TV a few times recently and he comes across as a very knowledgeable bloke ,stating what he wants and expects from his Squad of players ,the Question is ,can these players deliver to Fax what he expects ?In some way the answer is YES but in others it must be NO,simply because as a Part Time squad you are behind the 8 ball in terms of advantages,also you have a decent Pack but lack strength in depth at Half back and I personally think your backs from 1 to 5 are not as good as the Teams around you.

I am fond of Fax as a Club because I have a few friends here and know what a successful team means to you,hopefully this new Backer supposed to be a Fax Bank will provide you with the cash to invest in a bit of quality to challenge the teams like Leigh and Bradford ,I don't think you are that far away from doing this,good luck for the rest of the season I shall be cheering you on in spirit on Friday.Charles.

IMO RM is the best thing to happen to this club since the days of Gary Mercer. This man will get the best out of the boys I have no doubt about that, I just wish we had a few quid to buy a quality stand off.

To already compare Harrison's record with this season is bonkers. Anyone can see that we've got the ship off the iceberg and are slowly turning it around. Just look at the disappointment of the players after Saturday, they're giving it everything and it will come of that I'm certain.

Nil desperandum folks.

In addition the Fax BOD feel strongly that they have landed the right man in RM, they will not be holding anything back, they will back him as much as they can and you can't ask for anything more than that.

The work CP is doing to get more sponsorship will add to another important income stream.

The crowds are the final piece of the jigsaw and will not move much until we have a winning side, at least the BOD will know this and not rely on more coming through the turnstiles than actually do.

You can bet they are giving a lot of thought and planning to see how this season goes whilst preparing for the next step.

At the moment RM has said he still isn't sure what is best line up is and we can expect a new incoming half back after the Easter period as the clubs are reluctant to release any players over the busy period. Most likely a DR or loan short term.

RM has just come to the club and when he arrived he said it would be a gradual improvement. As we know he inherited the squad. Yes, we are a bit short in the Half back area and Im sure RM and the board are trying to sort this out.
This season was always going to be a difficult season. We have two run away teams at the moment but the rest of the league is very close and I think that makes it very exciting
Our 'problem' as Fax fans is we expect (demand) that everyone wearing the blue and white will win every game and it doesn't always happen. Our team has improved and will keep getting better under RM.
Someone mentioned about crowds? Have a look at Leigh. Several years ago the club were going under and had small hard core set of fans. Through realistic planning and spending, a coach they have stuck with and who has been aloud to develop his own squad they have become a force to be recon with in our league and their crowds have been slowly getting bigger.
I feel we are in a good place. We wont make SL this season but we are performing better, I feel we compete better this season even in the games we have lost and I think RM will stay with the club and with the support of the board, Fans and new investments move the club on to bigger and better things.

I expect a half back signing prior to easter.

Ant thoughts/rumors to who it could be. Easter is only 3 days away

It's been covered before and ive read a comment from RM that he wants his target in situe for easter.

I think its an interesting post. Realistically, I think theres more chance of the teams below us upping their game and us being in a relegation battle than there is of us playing out of our skin and competing with Leigh/Bulls etc., its a dangerous time for us.

We did compete with Leigh. If that last pass had stuck we would probably have drawn the game but the ball literally deflected int the Leigh player's hands so instead we lost by 12. Other teams have been getting hammered by them, we didn't.

I personally think that we are playing some excellent rugby, far better than under Harrison, our problem is knowing when to be a little more cautious. If we can get an additional decent halfback and stop making silly errors I don't think we're far off.

Faxy there are a couple of big IFS in your post and you know what the say about Aunties and Uncles

the pitch the day of the Leigh game was a big leveller,we shall see what happens on a dry pitch at the LSV in May ,with NO ifs involved.

Apart from the fact as mentioned several times before that Leigh are full time now and are years down the road into this squad and this team with this coach.

Rewind the clock to how Leigh have been in the not too distant past, would it be a fair reflection to compare them in those days to the clubs who were at the top, apart from bragging about it there can be no point in mentioning it.

Leigh don't have to worry about Fax, the real challenge for them now is the lower end of SL in the play offs short term.

Personally I think they will do really well, after that if they get into SL it will be how long can they stay there as will be the case for any team who manages to go up from the Championship.

It's a whole new ball game how they can compete week in week out both on and off the field in SL as opposed to the Championship.

Hope the op goes well Charlie, can't be long now.