Looks like the week off has seen clubs move forward with their recruitment plans for next year with many stories coming out in the media now.

Matt Shaw tweeting it looks like Seb Ikahihifo could be coming to us (would be a big signing) and we're still pursuing Jake Maizen.

On the fax board it looks like Joe Keyes and Matty Gee maybe coming to us.

I'd imagine we're likely to lose some quality too. I'd be amazed if Fulton isn't in SL this year, he's tearing the league apart as well as Doro rumoured to be going to KR

Ikahihifo and Maizen would be great signings. Not bothered about Keyes, only plays half a season.

Surely the perfect foil to Gaskell!

I think Gaskell is retiring at end of this season.

I’ve also heard Jack owens and Tom Gilmore mentioned

I'd be surprised if we re-signed Gaskell.

Keyes would be really good cover for either stand off or scrum half. Think we need a change there. Lilley moving to hooker would be better.

I think Fulton, Doro and Souter will all be looked at closely by SL clubs. Appo signed a 1 yr deal with a 1 yr option? I'm not sure who the option is in favour of - the player or the club?

I would be amazed if we can hang on to Eribe Doro, Zac Fulton and Mitch Souter for next season. They have all been a revelation this year and rightly deserve a crack at earning a full time Super League contract. I assume we will also lose Rogers, McGowan, Tindal and Okunbor when they inevitably return to their parent clubs. Add Blackmore and potentially Gaskell (retiring) to that list and we've got some major changes coming this off season.

The 2 names mentioned in this thread are very good additions to the squad but we will need a lot more people to come in to replace the players who are potentially leaving. I'd also prefer for us not to keep using short term loan players next season. Our injury record this year has been horrendous so EOC's hand has been forced slightly but I'd hope for a more settled squad next season.

Gilmore would be the HB we've been crying out for. A Controlling 7 who can kick goals.

Looking at the players off contract or likely to return to their parent clubs, it is a significant chunk of the squad that will be leaving. As I've posted elsewhere, this year represents a real turning point for me as EoC looks to establish his own ideas and professionalism in the club.... some players have really bought in whilst others have not, and are now starting to depart the scene.

=#FF00001. Tom Holmes - 2024
2. Ben Blackmore - Left
3. Joe Arundal - 2024
4. Kieran Gill - 2026
=#FF00005. Jorge Taufua - 2024
6. Lee Gaskell - 2024
7. Jordan Lilley - 2026
=#FF00008. Jordan Baldwinson - 2024
9. George Flanagan - 2024
10. Ebon Scurr - 2025=#FF0000
11. Brad England - Left
12. Chester Butler - 2024
13. Michael Lawrence - 2024
14. John Davies – 2024
15. Dan Smith – 2025=#FF0000
16. Keven Appo - 2024
17. Eribe Doro - 2024
18. Mitch Souter – 2024
19. Sam Hallas – 2025
20. Billy Jowitt - 2025
21. Jayden Myers – 2025=#FF0000
22. Will Oakes – 2024
23. Dan Okoro - Loan
24. Aidan McGowan - Loan
29. Zac Fulton – 2024
30. Eliot Peposhi – 2026=#FF0000
31. Tyran Ott - 2024
34. Fenton Rogers - Loan

=#FF0000Mackenzie Scurr - 2024
Will Adams - 2024
Dan Moss (On Trial)
Jayden Barraclough - 2024
Kallem Rodgers – 2024
Dom Waites - 2024

The end of this year will be interesting as it remains to be scene how those leaving will react. Will they give it their best shot and look to leave on a high, or just play out the season running through the motions?

The squad we have has the potential for another top 3 finish but I think its going to be a mixed bag unfortunately and I don't see us finishing any higher than 5th as it stands.

Roll on next year and knowing where exactly we stand in terms of IMG.

Lots of talk on social media (I know!) about an intention to go fulltime in the near future. That would mean wholesale changes I'm sure. Can we afford it? It might improve our on field performance but would that be enough to get us into SL? The ground is the real issue for us isn't it?

I think the rumour of us going full time has come from Mick. If you listen to his choice of words though, I dont think we're going full time in that we train throughout the day etc

I think it will be a case of we'll have a couple more "full time" players who do foundation work during the day and then train in the evenings. But the majority of the squad will still have full time jobs throughout the day. It sounds more like BullInenemyland has been alluding to in that EOC and the club are wanting us to be a more professional outfit, training harder, stricter in how the players behave off the field, behaving more like a full time team rather than us actually going full time.

I read it similar to this too, I think the part time/full time ratio will rise but not a fully full time outfit

Partial professionalism would seem to make much more sense at this stage.

Dan Moss has now left/been let go. Didn't really get any opportunities anyway. Can only deem EO didn't think he was quite ready as still young and when Gaskell was out still preferred Davies. Plus hearing some of the potential halfback signings for next year was maybe told his opportunities would be even less.

Hybrid team next year

Mitch Souter 1 year extension, fantastic re-signing. Need to get Fulton next.

Outstanding news to get Souter signed up. Masons a good bit of recruitment too. My God we're gonna have some size!

Joe Keyes confirmed on 2 year deal. Looks in red hot form for Fax at the moment.

Red hot form? Honestly I wouldn't go that far. Obviously a good signing for the Bulls though just a shame for Fax he has had so many injury problems but if he has luck with injuries then he is a very good player. Bulls contract was nearly double what Fax offered him which would have matched his current contract with the club so you really can't blame him and like he said to Fax it really was a no brainer.

Bradford really pushing the boat out with more signings still to come and they should be the best team in the Championship next season by some distance, you just wonder if the money man has deep enough pockets to make up the points needed in the IMG system in the next couple of seasons to get them back to SL.

I’m slightly underwhelmed, was decent for the bulls in his last spell, but has had more than his fair share of injuries, as has our current no6, and if you compare the two I think it’s a slight downgrade. Will be ok in the championship but not for any higher aspirations.

A bit underwhelming this signing wasn't particularly great before he's now even older and more injury prone.

No issues with bringing Keyes in, yep some risk with injury but surely not to the level of Gaskell. I'm interested to hear we offered Keyes double the amount of Fax.....i wonder how some people get this insider info.... I guess I'll just continue to live in ignorance.

Ah good to see you back Greg, you've not been seen for a while on RAB, was worried you'd be on holiday in Tenerife!

We are well aware of Keyes weaknesses and questionable durability - but also what he can bring in terms of kicking game and running threat. Sounds like he will be replacing Gaskell who unfortunately seems to be unable to stay fit this year with his hamstring. It does sound like the club are serious about having quality across the squad next year so perhaps he won't be forced to play with a niggle etc.

Hopefully things improve over at the Shay and you avoid relegation as having a good Halifax side is good for Bradford and the Championship as a whole.