I'm happy with the merger. The situation reminds me of what I do at the many dinner parties I attend. Show up with a bottle of Lambrini but spend the night drinking the Moet that someone else brought.

Gives us a follow then, I'm closing in on 500

I don't know whether to laugh or cry at this. Probably the most accurate analogy I've ever heard!

This.

It wouldn't be like that though. It would be more like paying to go to a dinner party and sharing what's on offer at a pre-paid bar.

As it stands, it's probably as you describe it, except instead of drinking the Moet that someone else bought, it'd be the Moet that someone has left over because they don't want it anymore. It's still something, but not exactly much.

What is wrong is they oth clubs do not promote the game in the schools [ they do bits.
Where are the school teams at Beverley,Brough,Driffield,Goole,Hornsea etc most have Union teams.
Even across the river seems no school teams yet again they have Union teams
You might say I am to long in the tooth and out of touch but all these areas are within easy travel distance of Hull.
When I was young if our school did not play the game we went to a youth club and played for them don't think that any youth clubs have a team now.
The present trend is gyms so lets try getting teams out of these like the old work teams.
If the PRO clubs don't try then just going to dry up at school level .

I am at a loss to understand your concern regards the merger of the academies Wilf. After all Hull FC already have the experience and know how when it comes to mergers and the intricate workings thereof so the experience gained previously will obviously be put to good effect when it comes to negotiations with Mr Hudgell.

I very much doubt there is anyone in a position of influence at Hull FC now who was there in 1999.

Troll, and not a very good one at that.

Maybe we could get Barry Lilley in as a consultant.

Even worse hiding-place.

rugby league tomorrow on radio yorkshire,discussing the merger.

grudgel claiming both teams will still spend the same

Ha ha, are you suggesting that Pearson is going to merge the Academies and then pick up more than 50% of the cost?

You really do have a downer on his abilities don't you? Did he reject your advances or something?

The guy is a successful businessman and has had a reasonable career in sport, one that keeps getting him opportunities offered, are you really expecting him to let Hull KR have the club over?

He's saying what Hudgell said - I heard him say it too.

So Hudgell, who is well know for taking the mickey, said he would be taking advantage of Hull FC and people believe it?

Or was this an Official comment I have missed? If it is I apologise and would start to question if Adam Pearson is drinking too much!

That wasn't my point and I don't have a clue what each clubs spends on their academies any more than you do. My point is that the claim was that the clubs aren't doing it to save money which I don't believe.

As for rejecting pearson's advances, I've never met the guy but I presume you'd be in there like a flash if he offered it to you?

You want to get off your high horse before you look even more stupid than you already do

I have turned him down, twice!!

I have a very good idea what each Academy is spending and I would also say that anyone with a bit of common sense would also realise that when you half your staff, half your players, half your match day travel costs, half your spend on kit and equipment and half your venue hire you end up with around half of your current bill!!

Or are you thinking the new Academy might run two buses still, one for the Hull lads and one for the Rovers lot?

Not really. You shouldn't comment on something you haven't listened to, particularly if you're trying to score points. hudgel's comment was that instead of spending £30k each on 2 academy coaches they could spend £60k and get a better coach. He said it wasn't about reducing costs. I suggest you don't come back with any kind of reponse unless it's an apology

You seem very well informed, I'm guessing your employed in some capacity at the club, you might want to be careful.

I will probably have to bang on till I'm blue in the face, but FC did not/do not need to merge with KR at academy level.

The fruits of Pearsons academy investment are just starting to shoot through,, in fact I would reckon another 18 months and it would have been classed as a success.

Shaul, Logan, Lancaster, Abdull, Turgut, HTW - all prove the early signs are the academy is starting to deliver the goods - I still cannot see any gain from FC merging with KR - none at all. (other than save money).

I just think AP wanted the results quicker, he's considered the continued investment and decided to share the load with NH.

Whichever way you dress this up, KR come out of this with the better deal, and I wont be convinced otherwise.

Once you have provided me with evidence of it I will gladly apologise.

You are entitled to your opinion and it is a very strong argument. I happen to disagree but the fact is without giving the merger an equal amount of time I suppose we will never know.

And I have nothing to do with either club, just very interested in player development.

If you trust in Pearson's academy investment enough from before, then surely you should trust that he knows what he's doing here also?

From what I've heard, they're spending just as much as before and getting more out of it as a shared investment (so better coaches, etc), a higher concentration of talent which will improve the players even further. I'm not sure if it's a case of you can't see what good can come from it or you just refuse to because it doesn't benefit us alone.


Does it matter if Rovers come out with the better deal if we both improve? This is what I mean by some people cutting off their nose to spite their face.

If this academy produces better players, then I don't care if Rovers get some also as long as we get improved players. I'd rather have a little of something better than a lot of something worse.