Re: Soldierboy : Tue Jul 07, 2009 9:15 pm  

Steve Fox wrote:

But, when all's said and done, this is only the internet and that bad feeling only exists in the minds of a few dozen clueless tossers on rlfans.

It's not as if he's doing any damage in the real world.

Not really sure of your point. We are talking about these boards, and about RL fans.

It frustrates me when you get Wire trolls on boards which generally means that you can't get into many decent discussions on certain boards due to these people.

Not saying Soldierboy was trolling, but what was the point of going onto Saints and Wigan boards moaning about Celtic?

: Tue Jul 07, 2009 9:21 pm  

Pepe wrote:

To most people who can read, the RFL have only stated that they are sending a task force to help find investors and marketing the club. That doesn’t mean they will not get financial help. That help, if it comes, should be in the form of a significant reduction in the TV money given to other SL clubs, to fund CC and keep them going for the next 2 years.

Wouldn;t disagree with that. Not 100% sure how it works, but I don't feel that all the TV money should just be split between the clubs anway.

Without wishing to sound too boastful, we’ve been above a few SL clubs for several years. With Steve O’Connor at the helm, we are even stronger.

We were turned down for a licence entirely for financial history, despite SOC giving a half-a-million pounds, up front, guarantee. Here we are less than a year on and thriving, while CC are in a financial crisis. Doesn’t say much for the RFL and it’s ‘criteria’ does it?

It’s a bit difficult to have any faith whatsoever in the RFL using that ‘criteria’ to pick the strongest bids, and not just put every emphasis on expansion. I have every reason to be concerned that Widnes will never receive a licence as a result.

FWIW I hoipe Cetlic pull through.

Yes, the RFL did decline you for a franchise based on financial history. On one hand it seemed incredibly harsh, especially when looking at some of the other candidates, but then there is also the argument that they would be seen to be rewarding a club who had gone bust not much earlier, and hadn't had the necessary time to prove that the new management structure was a worthy one. Not really worth going over all that again though as I assume we are all in agreement that Widnes were worthy of a place.

One last point though, there is no indication that Celtic are struggling financially. They too have a rich backer, and so far, apart from rumours, nothing suggests they are at risk of going bust. Where they do seem to be struggling is with the experience and knowledge of running a full time team in an expansion area.

Re: Soldierboy : Tue Jul 07, 2009 9:28 pm  

Dave T wrote:

Nah, that was an example of the bitterness I refer to.

FWIW, I don't have any issues with Leigh fans, certainly not on this board, I have no issue with disagreeing with people, it doesn't mean I am right, and doesn't mean they/you are right.

My comments about Leigh were based on the fact that their fans just haven't embraced the new stadium, and generally put it down to lack of promotion available (I am referring to people on Totalrl.com here btw), when clubs like Widnes haven;t allowed this to drag their club down. Plenty of clubs this year have attracted some very good crowds, and look to be moving in the right direction, Leigh are going the other way.

No bitterness , just rank bad idea's from the RFL , proved by your lack of comment on it and answers to the questions asked of you about it

As for ' our ' stadium , well unfortunatley it isn't ours and possibly never will be , possibly the biggest mistake we have ever made

As for clubs below SL moving in the right direction , yes there are one or two I can think of , but the bulk are finding things much tougher

: Tue Jul 07, 2009 9:31 pm  

Dave T wrote:

there is no indication that Celtic are struggling financially.

There are 3 CCJs referred to in this week's League Express. They are often a sign of a business struggling to meet all of its obligations and having to prioritise as to which debts it pays and which it allows to go to a CCJ.

Re: Soldierboy : Tue Jul 07, 2009 9:36 pm  

Starbug wrote:

No bitterness , just rank bad idea's from the RFL , proved by your lack of comment on it and answers to the questions asked of you about it

As for ' our ' stadium , well unfortunatley it isn't ours and possibly never will be , possibly the biggest mistake we have ever made

As for clubs below SL moving in the right direction , yes there are one or two I can think of , but the bulk are finding things much tougher

I backed out of discussion on the 9's because it was pretty clear we weren;t going to agree (and it was a pure opinion thing anyway), and I was actually engaged in discussion with Pepe at the time.

I struggle to understand the stadium issue at Leigh I really do. I often read the Leigh board, so am awar of some of the issues, but it looks a lovely stadium, and whoever owns it shouldn't b the over-riding factor IMO, however that is one for your club to overcome.

In terms of lcubs moving forward, I think there has been good progress from the likes of Halifax, Widnes, Barrow, Featherstone, Toulouse and Gateshead have had some highs this year, although it is a fair point that every team is finding things more difficult in the current climate, which is the case for all teams, whichever division.

Re: Soldierboy : Tue Jul 07, 2009 9:46 pm  

Dave T wrote:

I backed out of discussion on the 9's because it was pretty clear we weren;t going to agree (and it was a pure opinion thing anyway), and I was actually engaged in discussion with Pepe at the time.

I struggle to understand the stadium issue at Leigh I really do. I often read the Leigh board, so am awar of some of the issues, but it looks a lovely stadium, and whoever owns it shouldn't b the over-riding factor IMO, however that is one for your club to overcome.

In terms of lcubs moving forward, I think there has been good progress from the likes of Halifax, Widnes, Barrow, Featherstone, Toulouse and Gateshead have had some highs this year, although it is a fair point that every team is finding things more difficult in the current climate, which is the case for all teams, whichever division.

The issue quite simply is that unless the club are in SL the cost of playing in the stadium is too much

So the ' ownership or running ' of it is the over riding factor

As for the 9's yes it is opinion just the same as everything else

Just answer one then

How do you think the SL clubs would react to being told to play 1 st team squads in a 9 's competition right now ?

Go on , one simple question , treat yourself

Re: Soldierboy : Tue Jul 07, 2009 9:51 pm  

Starbug wrote:

How do you think the SL clubs would react to being told to play 1 st team squads in a 9 's competition right now ?

Championship clubs aren't being told "right now" though are they? They've known this for months. How much of a bind do you think it is? Anyone can take a full strength squad - it's what you do with it that counts. Most will just have a half-arsed run about. It won't be blood and thunder hit ups and heart-attack inducing sprints. I'm sure most will just treat it as a training session. No worries.

Re: Soldierboy : Tue Jul 07, 2009 9:52 pm  

Starbug wrote:

The issue quite simply is that unless the club are in SL the cost of playing in the stadium is too much

So the ' ownership or running ' of it is the over riding factor

As for the 9's yes it is opinion just the same as everything else

Just answer one then

How do you think the SL clubs would react to being told to play 1 st team squads in a 9 's competition right now ?

Go on , one simple question , treat yourself

I don;t doubt that there would be many people complaining, however that doesn;t mean that me as a fan would toe the line and go with whatever my club thought.

Personally I think our seasons are at risk of becoming a bit stale, and I am a fan of new initiatives. I went to Edinburgh where people complained, and loved it, I also went to Barcelona to watch Wire. Without these couple of things these year I feel that the season would have been quite boring, and I have felt this for the past couple of years.

Events like the Magic Weekend, the World Cup have kept me interested in the game, and I am a fan of a 9's festival in the middle of the summer, although I do understand why people have concerns about the logistics of it.

With regards to the costs of your stadium, why is that an issue to the bog standard fan? I know that this may cause issues for the club, but as fans surely that isn't a massive concern that keeps people away from the stadium.

: Tue Jul 07, 2009 9:54 pm  

asterix wrote:

Love it

small things amuse small minds.............................

: Tue Jul 07, 2009 10:16 pm  

Fingerposts Finest wrote:

small things amuse small minds.............................

a bird in the hand is worth two in a bush