This isn't the time to strike. It's a time to unite.The current problems have not come from mismanagement, greed or deception. We have to accept this year for what it is. A global pandemic not seen in anybody's lifetimes that will cause a global recession.

Clubs have taken financial hits, owners have, sponsors and fans have. I'm afraid players should too.

I'm absolutely certain if a player went privately to Michael and said they are really, really struggling he'd work something out. There's a difference though between (A) having to change your lifestyle for a short while and (B) struggling to pay the bills. Only B would require help!

Like for many people in this pandemic, it's take a deep breath, tighten the belt buckles, change routines and get through it the best you can. Go again next year.

Going on strike is also very complicated as the dispute must be with your own employer which makes it difficult to plan industrial action in industries where groups of workers, have different employers like Rugby League. So if one at Wakefield, two at Hull, five at Leeds etc want to strike it will prove tough.

Imagine trying to fight to save your club going under, pay the bills, worry about fans who've lost out, resolve players financial disputes, deal with sponsors who are struggling, plan COVID return to work, plan recruitment for 2021, deal with the delay in stadium planning amongst many other things... Oh and have a family life.

Depends who your grievance is against. I'm sure that in 99% of any private action against an employer they will be able to engage a better lawyer than you are able to afford.

Good post, Mick.
It's an education and learning curve that no-one could have envisaged or has experienced. There isn't any aspect of life that hasn't been affected in some way. An infinite number of problems, that as yet, have no known solutions. No doubt every solution will bring about further unexpected problems. I think life as we knew it has definitely changed forever.

Indeed. I'm lucky enough to be working throughout on full pay but my wife is self employed. The help received from the government has been a godsend. Of course we are not on the poverty line but reduced wage takes some organising.... But at least we have that reduced wage. Zero wage is much harder to manage when your employer goes under.

I must be the only one who was gagging to be furloughed, no rest for the wicked as they say ☹️

You must have been very wicked

I try my best

Surely now the season has no chance of starting in august 2nd ?

Players are back training on Monday from what I can gather unless it’s changed.

Up the Trin

As someone who lost their job due to the Pandemic. I would have bitten my employers hand off if they had said we can keep you on, but you have to take a pay cut for the next 7 months. That didn't happen, but I was one of the lucky ones and I got another job. The downside is I now earn £10k a year less, that is a permanent pay cut not temporary. I, like my others have had to cut my cloth accordingly. What some people need to realise is that you have to live the life you can afford, not the life you want to live.

I am happy you found another job but your career stretches until you are 65 at least whilst the average rugby league player does not go beyond 35 that is the problem.

Then he has to adapt like everybody else and take a job till retirement age, his choice.

Are you saying players need to earn enough to keep them until state retirement (soon to be 66 and then 6icon_cool.gif during their playing career. Some carry on in the sport in some capacity others take up new careers, you'd need to earn and stash a lot away to last 30 years or so. on what you earn as a player. We all have to be realistic more so in sports like RL which are not awash with cash. Like others I have accepted a short term dip in income others have not been as lucky. If he's not happy he should aske for his contract to be cancelled and chance his luck elsewhere (with his agents help of course)

Special rules for all professional sportsmen during a global pandemic? You'll be having us clap for them next.

They have a limited sporting career with a limited contract which could end at any time by the club or with an injury. I think you probably clap for them every game they play fr Wakefield.

Just the same for other jobs injury illness can see you jobless. Hopefully he's investing his earnings well for the future and maybe looking at what he does when retirement does come along, hopefully through the natural aging process perhaps he could become an Agent!

You are trying, I'll give you that.....

Yes it is a good post and well balanced, I'm just a bit surprised you agree with him on so much with the criticism you've given out on here.

This may be a daft question but, are our players (either some or all) actually on strike ?
I understand that some clubs are already training, although its difficult to know whether this involves much contact.
If so, we may come into the restart (assuming there is on) substantially underdone.

I realise that there are a myriad of complex issues here for both club and the players but, we have to hope that the issues can be resolved quickly, one way or another.
Ultimately, we cant have one or two players holding the club to ransom, even if they are "senior" players.

The old stand by for retired RL players was to take a pub: Brian Briggs, Budgie Firth, Ken Trail et al. Mind you that was in the day when there still were pubs.

I've tried to restrict criticism to the political aspect, not the social aspect.
I think "Mick Amos" is possibly the most reasonable, level-headed and affable poster on this forum, (Can you lend us a tenner please, Mick?)

Hull K R players have announced tonight they’ve agreed pay cut with club and ready for training on Monday. Hopefully similar scenario for us.

Up the Trin

More of a chance of platting saw dust RC, you know the old saying “ you can pick your friends but not your family “

I notice he disappeared off the "Who is online" list of browsers as soon as you posted that BLM