Plenty of sympathy , but as it was much as we expected [ ie , you weren't getting in just a resignation to how things are , the RFL made a complete balls of the whole charade [ as expected and they will be congratulating each other on getting away with it again , without having to actually upset anybody who matters [ ie , a current SL club

I have every sympathy for halifax I feel angry that you have been well and truly shafted by the rfl. I do wish you well

Really disappointed you've not been accepted back in to SL. I thought you were in with a great shout, especially after the signing of Brian Noble, things were looking good. Was looking forward to playing our nearest rivals in the local derbies again.

Your only downside for me is getting away from the ground after the game but it's no worse than some other grounds. The facilities you now have are first class and put quite a few other SL grounds to shame. We are glad to be back at the Galpharm on Saturday but every Giants fan I have spoken to was impressed with the Shay and we enjoyed the three games played there.

It's never over til the fat lady sings, as the saying goes. Hang in there and all the best for the future.

Raaaay.

Interesting (if ill informed) assessment of the benefits of the franchise decision from one of the Fev board members. Seems all the top teams in the championship are about to implode, paving the way for Fev to storm into SL. www.totalrl.com/forums/index.php ... y-for-fev/ Think I would be more concerned about my own clubs fans leaving in droves if I were him rather than those other clubs.

Interesting (if ill informed) assessment of the benefits of the franchise decision from one of the Fev board members. Seems all the top teams in the championship are about to implode, paving the way for Fev to storm into SL. www.totalrl.com/forums/index.php ... y-for-fev/ Think I would be more concerned about my own clubs fans leaving in droves if I were him rather than those other clubs.

Quote ="Fax Missionary"Interesting (if ill informed) assessment of the benefits of the franchise decision from one of the Fev board members. Seems all the top teams in the championship are about to implode, paving the way for Fev to storm into SL. www.totalrl.com/forums/index.php ... y-for-fev/ Think I would be more concerned about my own clubs fans leaving in droves if I were him rather than those other clubs.'" Comedy gold. They will do well to get an average crowd of 1500 after the troubles.

Quote ="Fax Missionary"Interesting (if ill informed) assessment of the benefits of the franchise decision from one of the Fev board members. Seems all the top teams in the championship are about to implode, paving the way for Fev to storm into SL. www.totalrl.com/forums/index.php ... y-for-fev/ Think I would be more concerned about my own clubs fans leaving in droves if I were him rather than those other clubs.'" Comedy gold. They will do well to get an average crowd of 1500 after the troubles.

No youth set up?

Funny, but hasn't there only been 2 points between the teams in both games they've played this season? Not bad considering the length of time that the Fax team has been established in comparison to Fev's. And, we currently stand above them in the league table, (albeit having played two more games than Fev).As for scholarship, well we were told we couldn't have one unless we ran teams at all age groups, (after we already had a successful scholarship up and running), and we weren't financially in a position to fund three or four teams.

Misguided comments.

I'm glad you've highlighted that fact about the scholarship mate, yet again big Nige mentioned it last night on boots n all, totally hypocritical ( nearly wrote hypopotomus for some bizarre reason then... ) and he'll hear all about it next time I see him. Lies, lies, lies.
Phil Clarke, who I've always admired as a journalist within our game feels sorry for Saints for having to move stadium ERRRR hello mr Clarke, Thrum Hall meet the Shay stadium.....
Come on, we're not being conned anymore, we deserve better.

I hope I've got the facts right, fella.

So your saying, teams can't even run say an Under 18's? They would have to run 15's, 16's AND 18's?

I hope your joking?!

Wrong end of stick, Chris.

Fax ran a scholarship, but not u18's, u21's or u23's, (or whatever), and were going to move the scholarship up an age group every year or so and keep each age group open from the time it was established so that we would end up with a complete youth development set up. They were, however, prevented from doing so by the RFL.

Cheers TS, makes it even more of a farce doesn't it.

I hope all teams can come together and basically stick two's up at them.

But, following on from that set back Chris, our kids were then made "free agents" rich for picking by those clubs with existing scholarships, my own lad being one of them. Most of the lads have moved onto other clubs, all of which just happen to be SL clubs, some in our district, some in Lancashire. Some of the lads weren't picked up & continued to play with their junior/amateur clubs.
Calderdale is very, very rich pickings for junior talent with the number of local clubs. This isn't a criticism here, but by comparison Featherstone for example, other than Lions, which other junior clubs are within the town's boundaries ?
Our neighbourly SL clubs identified Calderdale/Halifax as being such a rich vein a few years ago and in the period prior to Halifax RLFC resurecting their scholarship programme, some of our local lads were being courted by neighbouring clubs and were being told that Halifax had nothing to offer them development wise. All of this type of behaviour has always gone on & I suppose always will do, but that doesn't make it right or correct.

I don't see it as a criticism, we are both in the same boat, infact all teams in the Championship are, hence why we need to work together.

I imagine, it's Fev Lions, Knottingley, Ackworth, but I'm not entirely sure, but we, like you, will play second fiddle to our Super League neighbours.

How many of these 'free agents' have gone on to play in Super League yet? If and hopefully they will do, that'll be even worse



Common sense - HELLO! Shame, a certain organisation doesn't use it.

None of the former Halifax scholars are old enough to play first grade yet. Some are currently playing 18's academy though, this, after beginning their season in late august early september 2010 the longest season in history. This is the SL clubs' idea of looking after their talented youth !!!! They'll be on their knees by the time they're 21 years old if they continue to run them into the ground. Some of these lads have even progressed to national camp & played a double headed fixture against Wales & France at U 16's level over easter, the lads need rest.

Quote ="Fax Missionary"Interesting (if ill informed) assessment of the benefits of the franchise decision from one of the Fev board members. Seems all the top teams in the championship are about to implode, paving the way for Fev to storm into SL. www.totalrl.com/forums/index.php ... y-for-fev/ Think I would be more concerned about my own clubs fans leaving in droves if I were him rather than those other clubs.'" OK, so please explain to me how it is ill informed? Also GFB, why is it comedy gold? The context is in trying to build up the number of Fev fan's, most of which feel aggrieved as to what you have been through. And you will not that I sign off by saying that we have some things to fix - alluding to our reputation and problems we need to support. Yes, I realise we have a problem and my head is not in the sand. In fact you may wish to check out my points the morning after the semi. You may also wish to view my posts following the NRC final that I attended. So come on, let's have a proper debate for the good of Championship Rugby, rather than sniping at what others have put in the context of speaking to their own forum.

Quote ="Fax Missionary"Interesting (if ill informed) assessment of the benefits of the franchise decision from one of the Fev board members. Seems all the top teams in the championship are about to implode, paving the way for Fev to storm into SL. www.totalrl.com/forums/index.php ... y-for-fev/ Think I would be more concerned about my own clubs fans leaving in droves if I were him rather than those other clubs.'" OK, so please explain to me how it is ill informed? Also GFB, why is it comedy gold? The context is in trying to build up the number of Fev fan's, most of which feel aggrieved as to what you have been through. And you will not that I sign off by saying that we have some things to fix - alluding to our reputation and problems we need to support. Yes, I realise we have a problem and my head is not in the sand. In fact you may wish to check out my points the morning after the semi. You may also wish to view my posts following the NRC final that I attended. So come on, let's have a proper debate for the good of Championship Rugby, rather than sniping at what others have put in the context of speaking to their own forum.

All true, but I would argue that Featherstone is even more a competitive area. Cas, Wakey and Leeds run some of the best scholarships in the business. So how can we compete for young players. Answer, we have invested in a player pathway. And yes we campaign like hell about the cost of doing so and the wrongs. I personally think that know we have invested in youth and competed well that are argument with the RFL is a stronger one.

Halifax could have done the same. Widnes and Sheffield did. Just depends what your strategic objectives are and where your priorities lie.

The point to note here is that all Championship clubs should be working together to write these wrongs, but they don't do they. Just another example of poor governance of clubs and poor organisation and a mindset that lives for today.

As for your U23s doing better than ours. Congrats, good effort in first season. However, our U23s is now used a player pathway team. Last season when we did not have U18s we got to the Grand Final (lost to Whitehaven). So most in that team are underage and it is a stepping stone from 18s to first team.

Actually I apologise for one thing I said about Fax. Complete rebuilding job is way over the top. Actually you have a lot to build-on and started taking good steps after last season by cutting playing budget and entering an U23's. Good core fan base and great history.

What I meant was, rebuilding an coaching team and continuing to refresh squad, as well as building a youth structure.

As my mate said to me at the NRC final, I sound like a closet Fax fan.

Its a sad fact that people like to see the demise of their rivals so in a way no surprise other Championship clubs fans are not showing us much sympathy, it means that we are not doing better than them so they like it as they might actually beat us and push us down the league is what they will believe.
But they are being very short sighted as what does this mean for our leagyue in the LONG TERM?

This is not just about halifax RLFc and Wakefield for that matter its the whole game below SL level.
And I am worried it looks bleak.

Correct , being a big fish in a tiny pond is no preparation for the sharks of SL , being strong in among other similar clubs is what is needed , that also has the added attraction to the RFL of not damaging whichever unfortunate club they pick on too much as well

It was you guys before us and they are like a bunch of bullies, somehow Wakey managed to get the bully off their back, who next?

Ovo, your post does an injustice to the underlying strength of each of the clubs you mentioned. You have been around the game for a while I assume and know how clubs run by your involvement at Fev. As such you will know falling attendances, financial issues, etc are part of day to day life at this level. However, you seem to overlook the fact that there are very strong foundations at clubs like Barrow, Leigh and Fax and even when times appear to get tough few press the panic button.

Loss of coaches and current financial challenges will not undermine any of these clubs. Sure Barrow might not be able to afford another Jamie Rooney or Ned Catic, but they too have very good young players and a hardcore of fans that will follow them come hell or high water. Leigh's current financial issue is merely a blip and they will be as strong as ever next year. In our own case we are a very well run club, with a strong fan base (which has seen worse times than this and still retained 1700 or so core fans), a strong player roster and clear direction.

I'd read your post again and consider the above. Its great to be an optomist, but to consider even for a moment that the apocolypse has arrived to all outside the borough boundaries for Featherstone is just niave.

I agree with you.... I want all clubs to be strong especially traditional ones. I will say it again my post was in the context of appealing to Fev fans, to try and stop them jumping on the band wagon of saying 'I am done with the game, we will never get in SL'

Many Fev fans have a mentality of "if it ain't Fev I aint interested'. Not me BTW..... but that is why understanding the context is important. We cannot afford the loss of any fan, so I am trying to show them some positives from a Fev perspective and keep them.

Look it does not matter how much people or situations hurts some clubs, the great supporters that underpin Fax, Leigh, Barrow, etc will ensure that the club continues and comes back stronger. However, there is no doubting that for the next 3 year cycle, Fev begin in a relatively strong position because of the groundwork that has been laid.

I still would not consider myself naive though

The RFL realised there was a little Welsh ginger kid sat in the corner who was new to the school and was already borrowing money off everyone, so they turned their attention to an easy fight rather than try to scrap with the medium sized ugly bugger.

I didn't know RFF was ' welsh '

He wasn't referering to his hair it was just the kid himself that was Ginger.


He looked like a biscuit and they called him Dunc.