But we can't afford Marquee signings. 12 month ago we almost went bust, we're not going to turn into title contenders in one year. It is about adding and improving year on year. Next target is to make the 8 (something we HAVE to do IMO) Then we look at breaking into the top 6 as we are in a position at attracting top players.

Carvell and Ferguson are two great signings. They have come from the top team in the league, and the team currently second. Neither set of fans wanted either player to leave. For a team in 9th to sign them, thats pretty good going.

I'm sure Franny would love to sign the names you've mentioned, but im sure Leeds Wigan Warrington etc what them as well. How do we convince them to join us?

Dwain chambers was banned from sprinting as he was a drugs cheat, dont remember him scoring any but think that was more to do with cas only giving him the ball so he drove into the centre, in a team who would spread the play ue would have had a field doahaimst some teams.

BERWYN JONES on hard grounds JEEZ,the mind boggles.He was too fast for the Aussies, knee deep in MUD--LOL.

Yes,I know what they said and where we are,were,so that being the case,crowds(that generate CASH and the spin offs)cannot be expected to rise until they can sign someone who gets the blood racing.As I said,chicken and egg.Crowds have fallen badly this season for a number of reasons,more expensive tickets being one,so if you think signing Carvell/Ferguson/George(steady as they are)is gonna add 4/5k to the gates then I can't see it.How are they gonna get crowds back to 10k+ then without speculating?
Please come and support us as the team is more or less the same as last year when we failed to make the play offs????
I am just being realistic.

He only played 40 minutes in a friendly against York for Cas.

There is no quick fix for us, we get into the 8 next year then our crowds will go up the next year and so on. It's all about steady progression. I don't get how you are being realistic, how do you suggest we get these players here? Nobody is expecting Carvell, Ferguson and George to add 5k to the attendances, we are expecting them to make the team more competitive and thats the only viable way forward for us. Personally I don't think the crowds have been that bad to say we have not made the playoffs in 5 years. You need to look at the bigger picture.

Could have sworn he played a couple of games for them.

You would have thought so given all the press coverage it got!

You don't think the crowds have been that bad?

Errr,you are joking of course.If OK hadn't have put his hand in his pocket AND ELLIOT HADN'T BEEN SOLD we would be back in BIG trouble on those crowds,RIGHT?They are just not good enough.So therefore the main aim must be to get the INCOME/CROWDS UP.Next year the crowds will be similar unless OK et al can pull another rabbit(signing) out of the hat.So without OK's cash/selling another player with potential(Bateman?) we are already in trouble next year IMO,based on similar crowds.
They have to find a way,you know,that's their job as Officials of the club.

Chicken and Egg imo.

I said the crowds haven't been that bad based on our not making the playoffs in 5 years. And I can't see Catalans paying us that much for Elliot, we needed rid as he was taking money off us and not playing. I think the club have done remarkably well in recruiting the players we have in the position we are. We're going in the right direction and we just need to keep going that way. Blowing big money we don't have on big names isn't going to help the club in the long term.

And they have found a way, they are building a competitive squad. This is their way. You seem to be suggesting spending imaginary money on imaginary players.

Nope just the half a game.

We're getting around 8k which considering we haven't made the playoffs in years and we are currently 9th, is pretty impressive. (ask Huddersfield!)

wasn't to be sneezed at as it was way above any influence he had on the rugby.

If you could assume that crowd income was directly related to team quality, then (if we could get the same Sky money as everyone else, we have enough crowd at 8K to be comfortably mid-table.

Of course in any given case, you can't assume this, and in our case we are not on the same Sky money.

I think there are a lot of things to be considered when speaking about attendances. The quality of the team, and results are always a big part of it, as is having 'big names'. The local economy has much to with it too and the ability of the club to promote itself, as it did in the late nineties.

To me, the biggest difference between the late nineties and now is the much smaller number of schoolage people; they seemed to make up almost a third of the crowd back then. Virtually all the pre-match stuff, rides, and competitions around the ground, were aimed directly at the kids. Can't actually remember whether we got the kids interested first and then themed the entertainment to match or whether it was the other way round, to be honest - but it worked.

To be honest, I'd suspect that the youngsters of today would be up for the same thing, if it were presented in the right fashion and if the 'gameday experience' lived up to any hype - and I don't think that is all about just winning, btw.

Think the previous regime made a big mistake when, at same time they brought in cheap season tickets for adults, they also started charging the kids that were previously getting in for free. New admin has reversed this and iirc increased age to 12? Where free admission is available. Don't think they've done enough to promote this, maybe understandably last year with hiatus of takeover and season tickets going on sale. Hopefully there'll be a bigger marketing push to get the younger end back this year.

I certainly hope so. Personally, I don't think you can overestimate the effect of getting kids interested when they are young.

One of the things the Caisley regime got spot on was to market the club to the younger end. I remember back then, [ievery[/i adult season ticket came with a free 'junior' ticket, and I know for a fact that three of the youngsters who got those free tickets from me are [istill[/i adult fans now - it's a matter of sowing and reaping the rewards.

When I was playing junior rugby, the amateur teams received season tickets for all the players. This went on until I turned 16.

I went to nearly every home game, and I think your right, I don't think I cared too much about the results back then.

Announcement 7am tomorrow... According to @bullsofficialRL

Gaskell??

Probably

Yep.

Good.

[url=http://www.bradfordbulls.co.uk/news__video/article/8552/bulls-net-gaskellConfirmed. 2 Year deal[/url

And it's another signing for FC who's under 25. It would seem that the plan is of the long term variety.

I'm really happy with this signing, much like George and Ferguson, Gaskell is a player I enjoy watching. However, I don't know why but I don't feel comfortable about him being played in the centre. I just don't see it.

Best signing so far imo.I think Gaskell had his confidence knocked at Saints but has untapped potential.The sort of half back we need with a bit of pace,vision and a decent kicking game.
Good signing imo.

Pleased with this.