This question is for any of our regular supporters of the reserve and academy teams.



Which players are playing well at the moment and are their any that are looking like they could break through into our first team side and establish themselves as first teamers over the next few years. A big thing was made about this young Donaldson lad when we signed him last season and he seems to be getting some write ups in the local paper, how is he going and what sort of player is he?



What about the prop forward aswell, Crossliey, is he looking like he could step up to the mark should he be called upon, and lastly, how about those two brothers that we signed from under the noses of Leeds, the Tates, they looked like big athletic lads, what positions are they and are they good players?

All the players you mentioned are very good players with bright futures, still a bit young at this stage and they are all forwards. George Burgess has the size and game to make the step up in the coming years.

Haven't heard anything about Michael Tate all year, still only 16 though so plenty of time.



The Bulls really need some backs to come through and kick on as well, imo Ben Helliwell looks the most exciting back but i'd love to hear what other Academy watchers think.



Ade Raw had big wraps on him but i'm not sure if he has lived up to that yet.

Haven't seen enough of Joe Wardle.

Hopefully within 3 yrs the following will all be playing in first team either week in week on or at least on a regular basis.



Keiran hyde

ethan hawksworth

rob hawthorne

jason crookes

liam mackay

joe wardle

liam kay

steve crossley

jon horton

tom lilycrop

tom olbison

elliott whitehead

james donaldson



ben helliwell

george burgess

adam o brien

jode sherriffe



vinny finnigan

rick barr

andy tate

luke senior

matt bailey



sadly i reckon if someone offers 80k or so for crossley think he will be sold as he has gone off boil this yr..he needs a confidence booster..personally id drop kopczak/let him go out on loan and let crossley have a game or two..certainly cant do any worse koppy has the work ethic of a mule..knows his job so just plods thru.

colton wray

tom burgess

danny addy

chris clarke

Should put raw back on wing think he plays better there but seems like they trying to change him to centre.

Liam Mackay is a second rower playing centre at the moment and its Jake Senior.

Adrian Raw has always been a centre.

Didnt watch much ;ast season but saw him play wing more than centre so just presumed he always played there..looked good there and scored a few...



I thought it was jake senior as thats whats on lists but bulls have him down as luke and lexpress have him as luke on list but call him jake.

Generally speaking, how many academy players tend to "make it"? I know it must depend from year to year but roughly?

In his biography John Monie said that the best academy set ups can expect is 2 players to come through every year. Occasionally clubs get a glut come through but this is the exception rather than the rule.



When you look below at the players who broke through to get more than the odd game per season it looks about right:



This is off the top of my head so I'm sure I missed some.



98 - Deacon, Fielden.

99 - Peacock, L,Pryce.

00 -

01 - Langley, Sykes

02 - Parker, Bridge

03 - Reardon

04 -

05 -

06 - K,Pryce, Halley

07 - Kopczak, James, Cook, Burgess

Err......... 3.

Cant see him making it....Has great hands and work ethic lacks in pace..........ohhh and is a pussy ehhhh macka

On a serious note interesting to see nobody as mentioned Duane Straghuier as a potential to come through the ranks inthe next cople of seasons, and as far as i'm aware ooc at the endof the year!!! One to keep hold off

Brett Ferres, Richard Moore, Aaron Smith, Andy Smith? Depends on your definition of "an odd game".