I'm not one of the constant "Calland Out" knockers, nor am I one of his biggest fans.

However I just wanted to make an honest thread to congratulate Calland on his work this year but this week especially. It was clear to see he put the players through some tough training this week in defence and discipline and it showed, both were massive improvements on the majority of this season. He also made some calls for tonights game which coaches make their name, Beswick to play less than a month after fracturing his ankle? Dropping argubly our player of the year in Branighan from the 17 entirely? Those are brave calls which ultimately won Fax the game.

Many other coaches would have walked out the amount of pressure and stick Calland has received this year and parts of last. I put my hands up to say I thought he should have gone after the Ostick affair. However he has stayed and has done a great job to get 2nd spot and consecutive Grand Final appearances. I want a Halifax player/coach/official to be passionate about the club and I think Calland is, granted he lets his heart rule his head Re: Country Mile but there is no doubting his passion for the club and its fans. You could see on TV after the game tonight pointing to the South Stand to the players to go and congratulate us for our support.

I want to say thank you to Matt and the rest of the coaching staff for leading us to our second consecutive Grand Final after an encouraging performance tonight. Just like he said in his post match interview on SKY we have had an eventful year and all we can do is give it our best shot against Fev in the final. The players looked together tonight and we were behind them tonight brilliantly, I think the same should be said for the coaching staff.

Well done Matt, the rest of the coaching staff and to the players for reaching the Grand Final. The best of luck for next Sunday, try your hearts out and we will be behind you all 100% of the way.

I have bagged Calland especially over defence.The Ostick affair and losing to hunslet made me feel matt had to go.The way we are inconsistant as well made me feel bad about matt.Hkwever this last month when things have been tough he hss got most things right.Defence eas awesome last night.Tactics and risks splt.I apolivize for being so negative about calland.I just want us to be like last night which is solid and consistant.

100% agree with comments.well done Matt.bringing holly in when he did raised many an eyebrow...but you cant argue with a MOM semi final performance.

branno was injured, picked the injury up late on at the fev game

Full marks to Calland & co. Great effort Fax

I openly admit to being a constant bagger of Calland during the last 2 seasons and I would like to say that he has proved me wrong at the back end of this season. I saw players last night playing with pride, proud to wear the shirt and it made me proud to be a Fax fan last night. I would also like to say on record "Thanks Matt" for providing another rollercaoster of a ride during 2010 and despite the errors the club have made I think we will come out of this a stronger unit. If we can get 13 Sam Barlows on the field next year I will be happy.

I have even offerred to volunteer for the club in any way I can to help with any sales or marketing stuff in the coming months. I'm not looking for gratitude or anything in return just want to give something back as my way of eating humble pie!!





The future is Bright, The future is Blue and White!!!!

Welcome aboard Chris ( meant in jest my friend )

Taken in the spirit it was intended Col!!

Today is a good day

Job only half done, we need to win the GF too to send the old boys away into retirement happy, and we owe Fev I reckon.

Agreed but I have a good feeling about the Final, Fev are indeed a superb side but holding your nerve on big occassions is also important. Last years experience will hold us in good stead and may just be Fev's weakness. Just look at Wire V Leeds in the Challenge Cup. Wire settled much quicker which allowed them to dominate early doors. Hope we can do the same.

Why wasn't this announced, it was said on SKY including in the interview with Holroyd that he was picked over Branighan.

do you belive everything sky tell ya,????, they said barlow got a red the other week, but it was a yellow,,, but we wont go there and start that up again,

He certainly got Nash red faced...

viewtopic.php?t=410790 Matt Calland should have been eating a very large slice last night. After his arrogant statement that "we will score a hundred against someone" his charges were unable to cope with a very well coached side who looked as though they were up for it and Fax looked incapable of coping with their style of play.They just expected to win. The lad Hemmingway looked lost, The Bowman brothers have looked really good when we have seen them. Both they and Wrenchy would have given us more go forward. Just wonder if Calland can get things sorted out as another performance like that and support will dwindle. Impressed by Mark Aston and wonder how he would do with the quality of players Fax have? This was my post early on last year when we lost at home to Sheffield and the now ungracious Aston. It provoked a lot of thoughts and critiscism but sadly proved to be correct and I am still of the opinion that Calland should have gone at somepoint last season and if not earlier on this season. However last night was the best performance I have seen by our team in a long time and they showed control and I hope the type of rugby that can win the final. I must now give credit to the coaching staff for giving us something to be proud of amid all the controversy this season has brought. This team have a shedload of experience and perhaps they have realised that playing kamikazee rugby will not work against a well drilled side. Good luck in the final.

viewtopic.php?t=410790 Matt Calland should have been eating a very large slice last night. After his arrogant statement that "we will score a hundred against someone" his charges were unable to cope with a very well coached side who looked as though they were up for it and Fax looked incapable of coping with their style of play.They just expected to win. The lad Hemmingway looked lost, The Bowman brothers have looked really good when we have seen them. Both they and Wrenchy would have given us more go forward. Just wonder if Calland can get things sorted out as another performance like that and support will dwindle. Impressed by Mark Aston and wonder how he would do with the quality of players Fax have? This was my post early on last year when we lost at home to Sheffield and the now ungracious Aston. It provoked a lot of thoughts and critiscism but sadly proved to be correct and I am still of the opinion that Calland should have gone at somepoint last season and if not earlier on this season. However last night was the best performance I have seen by our team in a long time and they showed control and I hope the type of rugby that can win the final. I must now give credit to the coaching staff for giving us something to be proud of amid all the controversy this season has brought. This team have a shedload of experience and perhaps they have realised that playing kamikazee rugby will not work against a well drilled side. Good luck in the final.

Credit to the players, great performance after difficult opening 20 mins. Will reserve judgment on Calland until after the GF to see if having had the best squad in the league at his disposal for the past 2 seasons he has finally won something. Having defeated a poor Sheffield side who finished 6th in the league at home, I'll wait until he's actually achieved something before praising him.
It has been a difficult season but some of this has been brought on by the man himself so he can hardly bleat about how hard it's been.

What an absolute load of gash

Explain yourself.

What are you saying is a "load of gas"

1. Matt Calland
2. The thread
3. The previous post

??????????????????

Fair play.

I've had my say in the past but back to back Grand Finals says something

Winning one of them will shut me up totally!

Sorry bob, I meant to quote...the previous post.

Then I tend to agree with you.

Got to say me too, lets see after next week when if the lads can repeat the respecting of the ball like we did last night then we might just beat Fev, I really hope so.
Not the time to start having a go about Calland really.

There can't be any time to have a go about Calland !!!

2 GFs in 2 yrs - nuff said.

With on paper the best squad this and last year I must add.

I wouldn't say so. Best 13 on the pitch yes, but a thin squad susceptible to injuries. Down to 18 players, people playing with broken ankles. Very impressive effort.