To be fair to Hudge club rovers was an idea in the short term to boost income for whatever reason. In hindsight a more prudent approach may have been to cut the expendature earlier rather than try to falsely drive up short term income. If i were Hudge now i'd be looking at scrapping the Clinton deal and offloading 2 or 3 big earners like Cooke, Galea, Webster. I think he then needs to put faith in the kids and try to have a good 2 seasons financially which may mean coming bottom, but Rovers long term future as a club is more important.

Agree 100% mate. IMO Kris Welham has contributed at least as much (if not more) then Cooke and Webster the last two years, and seems a hell of a lot better role model off the pitch then one of them. Local youth is definitely the way to go in the long run, worked for hull in the late 90's when you look at what it led to in '05 and '06.

Well I guess it's a suitable time for me to claim once again that bringing back Michael Smith would solve everything.

That's the thing.

It being reasonably acknowledged that the majority of the debt is serviced by the Board, and Hudge stating previously that the current Board are onboard at least until the end of next year seems to fit in with this new 12 month deadline.

It's almost as if the Directors who have contributed to the debt are saying we want substantial repayment in the next 12 months or we're off.

Debt called in and no Board to boot.

Crossland's Parasol peers getting twitchy?

Don't know, but quite how this £2M is going to be found other than from a new benefactor is a mystery. Even to Hudge?

The fact that the debt owed to the directors is classed as being due within 12 months only means that they COULD, if they so wished, call the debt in.

We all know that is extremely unlikely given who the directors are.

The £2.2m being due within 12 months is therefore a bit of a red herring.

I've lost count of how many times the Hull fans have had to explain this about our own 'directors loans' over the last few years!

I honestly cannot see Rovers getting out of this mess without gaining a new investor. They need crowds of 10,000 just to break even...and I really can't see crowds ever getting above a 10,000 average (and that is not trolling...based on historical crowds, and the fact the city has 3 top flight teams)

good point, players like Cooke, Horne, King etc all got valuable game time due to our finances.

and players like Raynor, Carvell, Dowes were all picked up from obscurity (Leeds reserves) by Mcrae

with no relegation youth is the only way for Rovers to survive IMO

There was always going to be heavy investment and loss in putting Rovers back in the upper tier of the game.
Management of the process is the key.
I have every faith in Neil and the board to do this.
If however there a problems then so beit.
As City fans said it is better to have gained promotion than not at all and their future road is rocky too.

The investment has obviously paid off as we are the premier rugby league team in the city - something which many black and whites have difficulty with - infact they spend more time on here trying to pull Rovers down then making positives on their own club.

Us sensible Rovers fans knew there would be a heavy price for promotion and that manifests in later years.
HKR academy has made parallel progress with the first team and should reap rewards in attracting the better local lads.

Merry Christmas to all rugby fans out there and for the FC fans looking for cheap shots - think of the wider picture!!!

Spot on with the bit in bold Basil.

Lots of hysteria about something that doesn't warrant such a respose imo.

And as for that rag that is generously referred to as a 'newspaper', glad I don't part with my hard earned for a copy!

I'd rather be safe in the knowledge my club will still be in business in 3 years time, than go bankrupt for 2 decent seasons of 'success' (which you remained trophy less might I add)

Hull FC's history is littered with financial incompetence, so I'm delighted that we finally have a board that is delivering SL's best financial results, and we can only reap the benefits in the next few years as the rest of the league struggles to stay in business.

Hysteria! you must be joking!

you've just posted results that show currently you are around £3.6 million in debt (taking this years loss into account) and you think its just OTT hysteria??

I agree mate. But there is always a price to pay for improvement and we have seen a big improvement at Rovers over the past 4 years. FC have had the upper hand for over a decade with that timescale it should be expected comes financial stability.

Merry Christmas rugby fans

Can't believe I'm saying this but been completely honest - we are sure as hell not the premier SL team in the city. Our 'success' over the last two years has clearly been built on foundations of sand. We are going to be stuck at a very poor ground for many years (look at how even clubs in the league below are getting better facilties eg Donny and Leigh), whilst Hull have a better stadium, more fans, more pass sales, merchandise sales, a better team now (again, been honest).
Maybe it's overeacting, but seems like there has been some gambling made with our future just for two good (but ultimately unsuccessful) seasons.
Sorry if am been OTT, just the way am feeling at the moment.

I presume the club rovers income is included in the £460k loss the ambulance chaser has already admitted to in 2009.

Whos is paying the other £450k for the east stand extension?

Jeez Roofs....respect.


A person who is not afraid to speak the truth.
Its not much consolation but I hope Rovers do climb out of its present situation.Two Hull teams in S.L. is no mean feat.Also the banter is always top notch.

Definately OTT hysteria - if the directors don't call the loans in (which they won't) then there is no problem.

The Club Rovers income will be in the 2010 accounts (possibly also 2011 depending on how the club recognises the income) as the membership is not for 2009.

Blimey, Roofs, a bit of an overreaction there. As long as Hudgell and Crossland don't want their money out and are prepared to keep pumping money in, you're OK. The blindingly obvious thing that needs fixing is the retail side of the business. I'd not bother with Clinton and spend his salary on a decent retail manager and improving that side of things. If FC can turn over £1m in a season finishing 12th, no reason why Rovers can't do something similar when you finished the regular season in 4th. For all the talk of it being a work in progress and having a plan, it's still pants going into your 4th SL season. Madness, lunacy, insanity to leave this money on the table whilst players like Mills are being paid a good wedge to sit in the stands. Rovers have a better coach than FC also, who is worth his weight in gold. Chin up. And Merry Christmas

Roofs and Mrs Barista in shock role reverals

Why has it taken the Mail 9 days to run this story? Are they filling in the gaps between city matches?

To the tune of Band Aid and do they know it Xmas time ?

It's crisis time,
and Hudgell is afraid,
at crisis time, we leave saltend and and sign no big names
and in their world of plenty, kath and rule sit back and laugh,
please can you spare a bit of change, at crisis time?

but say a prayer,
pray for hudge and co.
at crisis time, its hard when your having fun,
there's a place down Preston Road,
and it's a place of dread and fear
where the only money coming, is a crappy sponsorship deal,
and the 60 quid per head, from the gullable red and white fools
so tonight thank god its them, instead of you.

And there won't be profit in East Hull this crisis year
and they cant afford to keep on paying cooke,
oooh, but all the red and whites
keep burying their heads,
do they know its crisis time at all?

Not my words but a very funny poster on FC

Putting aside the many factual inaccuracies, that's quite good!

Apparantly the Hold Rd shop isn't even open today for last-minute buying, that's really gonna help isn't it.

Class.