Enough of a statement of intent to start off preparations for next year? Does this news give anyone else a glimmer of hope?

I would say a glimmer. Hope the good news carrys on.

It's a good start. I didn't expect Oakes to stay. Let's see who the coach is and who else signs.

Announce a couple of decent signings, albeit probably fairly cheapish ones, then announce season tickets 20 minutes later. Can't see many rushing to buy until there are a lot more announcements, after way we've been sucked in last few years.

Spelt Liam Kirk's sponsor wrong. Good to see.

was actually thinking grammar and spelling was much better on todays releases compared to recent until you pointed that out.

So Hallas, Kirk and Oakes is a good start..
I have a sneaking suspicion Lee Smith will be staying too,
Anyone heard anything?

Spoke with Dane Chisholm at Dewsbury.He was adamant he was staying and that it would be sorted this week.Time will tell.

Now that would be good new. But let's just wait and see.

Now that is the start of a good squad:

L.Smith
Oakes
Gibson
Tonga
Hallas
Kirk

Hopefully keep hold of Chisholm (as mentioned above) and Peltier. Plus Wilkinson, Hodgson and Butterworth? Start of a good squad indeed!

Butterworth was announced in January as signing a 2 year deal. So unless contracts are null and void on relegation, he's signed up already.

Chuffed to bits that Oakes is staying, I think he can develop into a really classy centre within the next few years.

I also really hope we get rid of Tonga if possible. I said before we signed him he would be a complete waste of money and here we are. Just get rid and spend the little resources we have on players who will actually play.

I dont think we will see Tonga

I've heard Tonga has been released.

Butterworth is definitely here next year, his dad said on twitter a few weeks a go. If Chisholm stays, i think that would be a catalyst to convince undecided fans to sign up to a season ticket. If we get a good squad signed up, i think this is the time we really do rebuild as it will be the first time we're not handicapped, or trying to get out of our situation by beating teams from the league above us. We just have to be the best in our league (which will still be tough)

The biggest blow the club has had through the admins is losing the young players. Ross Oakes and Liam Kirk are here for the next 2 years who will bleed for this club. Thats how you rebuild, by building around them. If Chalmers can bring stability, and allow John Bastians conveyor belt to bring the likes of Butterworth, Strorton, Hodgson through, then we will move forward as a club.

Jesus. Toa Kohe-Love managed more game time than "Big Willie".

If Chisholm and dare I say it Sironen stayed then that would be a strong signal.

I suspect Sheens might take Sironen over at HKR. He would have signed him this season but they ran out of room on the cap.

If that happened i would by a season ticket today.

Assume Oakes and Kirk will be full time members of the 'hybrid' squad?

Looking forward to my trip to Toronto

Yeah, agree with all of that.

We're losing all the longer term loanees, though I'd like to hang on to Aston if possible, in case Chissy goes elsewhere and most likely losing the bulk of the better ones from our current list. I hope we can keep a nucleus of what we have, though as I don't have a problem with most of the squad, especially as we'll be in a lower division and hopefully we can bring in a few new faces. Who, and in which positions, clearly depends on who leaves, of course.

I seriously hope any, 'shenanigans', which may, or may not, be going on in the background don't leave us stuffed again. Not sure I could stand it.

Loanees would be ok as long as we used the HKR model - 2 or 3 players max, full season loans, no recall.

If Chisholm signs, I agree, that would be a powerful statement of intent.

Sironen was recommended to us by Tim Sheens iirc, so I would think he will be discussing with HKR +/- a few lower level SL teams about his employment next year.

They have started signing top players.
They signed the centre from Widnes and a half back from down under. They have now added Simms from Wire and Dave Taylor from Aus. They are clearly building a SL squad.
Some of their average players may come available.
Could do with signing a few of those Canadian players such as Flemming, Crossley or that ex Canadian Mountie Sidlow.
They will be in SL within the next two years and I suspect the owner had a word in his ear from Big Nige saying that.
I wonder who else big Nige has quietly promised they will be in a higher league than they should be?