Re: cummins and st hilaire gone. : Mon Jun 16, 2014 2:57 pm  

James Lowes should be approached immediately. He has done an incredible job in a foreign sport. People say he was unsuccessful at Warrington as head coach but he was never backed by the board, especially since they had headhunted Tony Smith before JL was even installed as head coach. Don't forget the success at both Warrington and Leeds seems to have slowed since he left.

Re: cummins and st hilaire gone. : Mon Jun 16, 2014 3:04 pm  

Thank you Francis for your hard work and sticking by the club. He leaves with his head held high in my opinion. But at the same time it is the right decision.

Re: cummins and st hilaire gone. : Mon Jun 16, 2014 3:20 pm  

Easy for me to say as an outsider, but I feel for Cummins. He has been on a hiding to nothing. He seems to have got on with the job in hand, ignoring the maelstrom surrounding him.

All the best Bulls. I've always enjoyed the games between against Cas. It'll be a big ask, but hopefully you can bounce back from these last few years.

[Pumpetypump]

Re: cummins and st hilaire gone. : Mon Jun 16, 2014 3:28 pm  

James Deighton on Radio Leeds makes a cheap comment something along the lines of "I bet they are glad they worked for free now".

We all have the utmost of respect for Lee, Francis and everyone else who worked for nothing. Clearly that doesn't equate to keeping them in post come what may.

[Bullseye]

Re: cummins and st hilaire gone. : Mon Jun 16, 2014 3:31 pm  

Exactly right Pumps. Obvs things have come to head. I wish FC the best of luck but he's probably better off out of it and we need someone who can unite the dressing room and plan for the future.

Simply carrying on as if all is well was no longer an option.

Re: cummins and st hilaire gone. : Mon Jun 16, 2014 3:44 pm  

It's been coming for a while and I have to admit I was one that has called for his head a few times this year. The fact is that with the remaining resources he had (albeit heavily reduced) he should have done better. The capitulations that have happened this year have been nothing but an embarrassment and he needed to go 6-8 weeks ago.

He also was the coach that lost us arguably the best talents the club had. Bateman jumped ship less than 12months after committing his long term future to the club, Whitehead fell out with him midway through the season and then we've seen Sammut, Scruton and Carvell go. Admin might have been the excuse for them to exit but equally it could be argued that they just saw what was about to happen... results wise!!!

A harsh lesson for FC in his coaching career I'm sure, but I've heard enough to suggest he'll bounce back and from a personal point of view I hope he does. He's given a lot of service to the game both on the field and off it and despite he clear lack of experience he has maintained his integrity throughout the most challenging period in the clubs history.

Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for St Hillaire. The guy has been part of the rot in the playing department for too long. Sub-standard coach (and player) he was never the right fit for the club and in his case its 5years too late!!!

Re: cummins and st hilaire gone. : Mon Jun 16, 2014 3:53 pm  

Wooden Stand wrote:

A fan earlier today was wondering how the bills are getting paid already.

Anybody know how much it will have cost to pay up the contracts of Cummins & St Hilaire?

With a view to avoiding going bust again my bet is that they rumble on with Ferres acting as rugby director and Diskin as player/coach for the forseeable future.

Unless Nobby will work for free

Re: cummins and st hilaire gone. : Mon Jun 16, 2014 3:58 pm  

Very cheap comment... suppose they weren't the ones that went through it so they wont even think twice about how it would have felt.

like you said, have respect for them all but a change was needed... for once the fans(most) have got what they wanted so lets just see what happens.

Re: cummins and st hilaire gone. : Mon Jun 16, 2014 3:59 pm  

I am not sure about Nobby. He has never built a club from nothing. At Crusaders he had unlimited Ausies. That is my head talking. My heart says bring him back through sentiment and may help bring the club together again. If he does come back he will need an assistant. That would also be a big decision as with all clubs it is usually the assistant who does most of the work. When we were top of the league McNamara did actually do an excellent job as assistant. He then took the top job which was beyond him. People say he did most of the coaching as Nobby took the praise. That is why the assistant role is just as important as the Coach. The assistant will also need to be someone who could take over in a few years. How about Nobby with an old boy such as Calland or Fielden to make the team up. I doubt we could afford to offer Henry Paul the assistant role with Nobby!

Re: cummins and st hilaire gone. : Mon Jun 16, 2014 4:04 pm  

el red wrote:

James Lowes should be approached immediately. He has done an incredible job in a foreign sport. People say he was unsuccessful at Warrington as head coach but he was never backed by the board, especially since they had headhunted Tony Smith before JL was even installed as head coach. Don't forget the success at both Warrington and Leeds seems to have slowed since he left.

Yes, quite the slump for both teams...

Since being removed as Head Coach of Warrington, they have only managed to win the Challenge Cup on three occasions, a league leaders shield and Grand Final runners up twice.

As for Leeds, they really look to be struggling for form this year since Jimmy left and are sat in a lowly 2nd position.

I'm sure he'd fit right in at Odsal on the basis of his previous coaching successes!!!