Some interesting decisions with squad numbers. Was disappointed to see none of our sponsored players given a squad number.

Looks like it.

1 Michael Platt,  2 Dave Halley, 3 Paul Sykes, 4 Chev Walker, 5 Patrick Ah Van, 6 Brett Kearney, 7 Marc Herbert, 8 Nick Scruton, 9 Heath L'Estrange, 10 Andy Lynch, 11 Olivier Elima, 12 Elliott Whitehead, 13 Jamie Langley, 14, Matt Diskin ,15 Bryn  Hargreaves, 16 Craig Kopczak, 17 Ian Sibbit, 18, Shaun Ainscough 19, Gareth Raynor, 20 James Donaldson, 21 Danny Addy, 22 Steve Crossley, 23 Tom Olbison, 24 Jason Crookes, 25 Shad Royston, 32 Kyle Briggs

Hmmmm.... Southernwood without a number, what's going on there?

Yep un-retired it and have given it to Addy! Big boots to fill but let's hope he can do it!! It's getting closer and closer now! Can't wait!

Let's just hope that Potter knows what he's doing and this spurs the young lads on to push for a squad number. I'm sure he will have sat down with them all and had a chat so that they aren't too downhearted!

As for Platty getting 1 lets not forget he came as a 1 and that's his main position until he was playing in a weakened team. But with squad numbers the number doesn't necessarily mean anything about what position they will play as we know.

I know we're not supposed to read too much into the numbers but platt at full back?

I just posted about that on the other topic. Let's not forget he came as a full back but had been switched around for numerous reasons. Maybe Potter sees him playing there or maybe we are just reading to much into it?

probably. it's good that our squad has a lot of depth and that our starting 13 doesn't really pick itself (yet).

there might be some mind games going on from potter too. not many of the new guys have picked up numbers in the 13. looks like he's trying to send the message to the new guys that they have to earn their shirts?

Looks more a case of potter making people earn 1st 17 numbers. All remaining senior players from last year get a number in 17 then new signings got what's left. Would guess young players with no numbers have actually got 26-31 and they haven't been announced. Otherwise why give briggs 32 and not 26-31

Yeah, makes sense. But for those to get those shirts he wants to prove they can take them

I would really like to see Ainscough and Raynor on the wings. Give us some real pace and an attacking threat and Ah Van be used as a utility across the backs. Wouldnt mind seeing Royston at full back either.

They have to advise the RFL of a 25-man squad for salary cap etc purposes. That may have a bearing. Does not stop additional numbers being issued.

Odd though that we have 26 names there. Can understand them adding Briggs on now - we would have been concerned had they not - but that suggests to me one of those 26 will not be on a "full-time" package, since IIRC from the Operational Rules you are limited to 25 under the salary cap rules? Will have to have a look when I get the chance. Hmm.

Presumably Elima and Herbert are seen as straight, senior replacements for marquee players Sir Steve and It, so they get senior squad numbers; the rest of the newcomers have to earn their stripes?

Platt is the best natural FB in the squad.

"Presumably Elima and Herbert are seen as straight, senior replacements for marquee players Sir Steve and It, so they get senior squad numbers; the rest of the newcomers have to earn their stripes?"

And rightly so!! It breeds competition knowing you have to work hard and push yourself

Better than Kearney??

Here's a hint to how the numbers relate to positions...

"“It probably wouldn’t have been the right thing for Chev to go in at No 1, so it was better for him to go in at No 4. It fits a bit better and the more senior players get the lower numbers as well.”

As posted in the other thread - a hint of the relationship between numbers and positions...

“It probably wouldn’t have been the right thing for Chev to go in at No 1, so it was better for him to go in at No 4. It fits a bit better and the more senior players get the lower numbers as well.”

The 25 man squad is in relation to the operational rules "full strength" clause (section B1:9) we have to inform the RFL of our 25 man 1st team squad by Feb 1st. This is a different list to the salary cap list as far as I'm aware. We can add to and remove from the 25 1st team list later but we need to inform the RFL of when and why. I think this is the rule prompted by certain teams over the hill playing weakened squads at short notice.

I doubt we'll be seeing Platt as first choice full back, but if Potter has started with a clean slate and Platt has impressed in training who knows? I think there has been an element of the new boss not stripping high squad numbers from senior players just for the hell of it (Heath has 9 but I'd expect Diskin to start and heath be on the bench), and the younger lads have to earn a number, I think its a good move to make the shirt and number something to be proud of and to fight for. I'd expect Burgess, Bateman, Finigan and O'Brian to get a number before the end of the year.

I didn't realise the retirment of 21 was time limited, but I don't think its a big deal and shouldn't add burden to Addy, his place in the 1st team squad is well deserved after his promising start last year.

15 years since Fairbank retired - wow - does not seem that long ago!

That means I've been going to games for about 20 years now. Soon builds up on you.

I think thats right, or at least that range of numbers is waiting for the youngsters to claim in order of who earns them first, and I'm all for the players earning the right to get lower squad numbers, make the shirt and number something to be proud of and to fight for.

Interesting that we've announced 26 players with numbers, but we can only have 25 in our initial 1st team squad submitted to the rfl, so someone with a number is not on that list.

Their sexuality is irrelevant.

Although humourous that wasn't my post and quoted from the post above mine

Indeed. Fielden served us well.