That first question to the WE editor (why do you hate Wakefield Trinity - what did we ever do to you?) was mine; I thought he dissembled a bit in his initial answer, but was more honest as time went on. He admitted that there was a fractious relationship between the paper and the club under the old regime, because Ted wasn't open with them on lots of different issues. His take was that they probably reacted to that by being negative and with hindsight, agreed that they could have done things differently.

He also said that from his first meeting with AG, which followed the shameful Gregg Johnson story, that the relationship between the club and the paper was 100% better and as far as he was concerned, they were now supporting WTW.

I spoke to him 1:1 afterwards and for my money, he seemed sincere; time will tell.

It was very honest of him to admit that in hindsight, the front page prominence of the Greg Johnson story was probably the wrong thing to do given the weight of positivity that the club had been enjoying after the take over.

For me, JK delivered the simplest and most effective verdict on that particular episode; "I thought that in this country, a person was innocent until proven guilty." Quite so.

On another matter - did anyone else think that Ben Thaler was startlingly indiscrete?

Can't leave it hanging at that Bren?

How nice to see a FULL HOUSE down at the club and a bit of a feel good factor thrown in for good measure.

The Trust will hit a thousand members imo.

Thought Ben Thaler was very good, answered questions well and in a quite light hearted manner. Nice to see a bit of personality from a referee, make us all realise they are human too (well some of them anyway)


Thanks to all who joined up, over 100 members already!!
For those who paid last night but didn't get their certificates they will be available to collect at the game on Sunday.
Listen out for an announcement over the PA then come and find us (most likely in front of the old programme hut) and you can have your certificate.

For those who didn't get chance to join up last night keep an eye on the website, facebook page etc and the membership form will be available to download, complete and return with your membership fee very shortly.

Well certainly got a bit of writers cramp. All worth it in the end though. A fantastic night and a massive thanks to one and all for making it that way.

Said exactly that to my mate, his comments smacked of, look at me aren't i funny at the expense of others.
Anyone with an interest in making him look stupid would have had a field day.

Yeah, he answered what he could as honestly as he could. If they could get a ref on Boots 'n' All every week to answer questions like that, it may improve relations between officials and supporters, though there will be always those who think they are 'bent' regardless.

I was surprised at his side-swipes at touch judges and fellow ref's, but maybe he was just going along with the knockabout nature of some of the other comments, particularly between Elston and the announcer.

Funny thing - I've been working in the ever so PC health & social care sector for so long, that when the fat/bald/short jokes start flying, all I can see is a sheaf of grievances winging their way towards me; you'd never get away with that in any of the places I've worked, where even if the target of the comments is not offended, there will be someone employed within the organisation to be offended on their behalf.

Was this the contract extension for Wildie, or something else that I missed?

You need to take a break off here and lighten up a bit if thats what you feel, he answered the questions as best he could in the circumstances, you expect him to tell you which is the worst team in SL to ref, have a word with yourself, as he rightly said 20 minutes after he spoke it would have been on here, Thaler did not have to turn up and support us but did so and deserves credit for it, as for making him look stupid don't let your vanity run away with you, you fill yer boots squire if you think you are smart enough I know who my money is on

No mate it wasn't, unfortunately we had to delay the news but will let everyone know once a couple of things get cleared up.

Sorry if I misled you a bit but it was a last minute thing.

So was Wildie signing a new contract confirmed last night?

What was said about Tadulala? I know his name was mentioned but I didn't pick up up the gist of it.

Yes

Ok. That is great news IMO.

JK said Semi was in Fiji fulfilling some RU international commitments, he was considering whether a move back to RL was what he wanted.

In the same vain, Wakefield know he might become available and are considering whether he has something to offer us.

Nothing to get excited or worried about, if he's not fully committed he won't come and if he doesn't fit our plans we won't have him.

In answering bren2k's question, i thought he was being indiscrete, i also thought he was being a little unprofessional in regards to some of his comments regarding colleagues, his comment regarding not naming the worst SL team to ref and his comments being on forum suggested to me that he was aware of indiscretions, but didn't stop him from making them.
That i consider to be unprofessional and indiscrete, so i answered as i saw fit.
Thaler like the guy from the express didn't have to turn up as you say and i agree credit to them both, i'm glad they both did, i didn't have a great deal of time for any of them before the evening, however i thought that the chap from the express came across as being honest and gave a good account of himself, whereas i thought Thaler was trying to make everyone laugh at him, hence my comment.
With stories being leaked as easily as they are these days, i would have thought he would have been more select about his comments and quips.
I don't really understand the rest of your post about vanity and making him look stupid, as i can't see i am guilty of either.
On a brighter note, i think it was a brilliant evening, it was great to see the room bursting at the seams with enthusiastic people, and look forward to the trust being successful and well supported by the club.

Not at all - just wondered if I'd missed a bit!

Look forward to hearing about it, whatever it is!

The only referee mentioned by name and that was only his christian name was James, and judging by the strength of feelings against him with Wakey fans was just a touch of tongue in cheek humour as was the rest of his replies to some impossible questions, everybody in the room which was bursting to the seams took it at face value and enjoyed it except two of you apparently.

Unless your name is Richardson of course

Maybe the above post of yours might explain it and help you understand a little better.

It was more his quips about linesmen and his employers where i thought he needed to be wary, he also did mention Justin (Morgan?) being "a challenge" i think.
I'll reiterate, that in answer to the question did anyone think he was indiscrete, i thought he was, commenting on colleagues negatively or disparagingly , even jokingly can be construed as unprofessional and an indiscretion.