Is it a coincidence that the clubs are looking to cut costs in the same season that the marquee player rule comes in?

The article on the website doesn't state the reasons for doing it in the first place, or exactly how this 'initiative' will deliver what it says it will.

How do they expect to get the fans to back it when it's shrouded in mystery?

What if the drafted player doesn't want to represent the club that picked them? How does it work salary-wise - will they be palced on an agreed starting salary, could they earn more at the other club?

The problem doesn't seem to be the academy up to U19 level, the problem is turning these lads into Superleague players, how will this fix that issue?

The next step will be a combined foundation I expect.

Shocking! Just another example of the club being run on the cheap. And a 'draft' system for deciding what club a youth player graduates to is all well and good until a really top prospect shows up and you can imagine the fight between the two clubs as to who signs him on

Pretty much done with this club, Pearson has ripped the heart out of it!

What annoys me even further about this initiative, is that the best academies (Saints, Wigan & Leeds) have their academy lads immersed into the clubs culture form the day they're signed up.

They're nurtured around the first team, familiar with their style of play & what's expected of them at that club, so that when they step up to the first team they slot in seamlessly.

How's the halfback academy coming along?

They may end up with a mixture then, unfortunately it'll probably be our defence and your attack..

Great point made. What a farce.

So, sharing youth players through a draft system.

Not too big a leap to suggest next will be back office resources merger to share resources like office space, accountancy teams, marketing etc.

And next.......

Hard to see anything different.

I'll be honest, if I was a young kid playing rugby in Hull I'd now rather go to West Yorkshire if possible. You'll be the experimental years for an unclear operation, be unsure which first team you're being lined up for, and you won't even get to pull on the black/red & white shirt at the weekend. Might as well go elsewhere and if you make it look for a move later in your career if you really want to play for your team.

Didn't you get approval to be an Elite Academy on your own? What happened to that?

Exactly. Like I said, the Foundation team, which kind of flows into the academy, will be next.

Other than saving a few quid, I'm struggling to see any benefits here.

Plus, the academy lads are losing two intense fixtures out of their calendar. A fixture which goes back years.

Quite simply, our owner doesn't want to spend the money maintaining it.

Another good point.

I'm really struggling to comprehend this one.

Pearson is siriusly fkn clueless.

Asked on Twitter, but how many of the U19s have played first team this year, and how many debuts?

Another good point. Kids who dream of playing in a Hull derby will now only get to experience it in any guise if they make it as pros (although on the bright side it's 4 or 5 a year if they get there).

Abdul, Logan, Lancaster and Turgut, the last one was his debut.

2015?

This is so hard to comprehend. I'm totally disgusted that we have even contemplated this, never mind gone with it.

Playing in blue and gold?! Sharing our training ground?

Supporting Hull FC isn't about saving money, or pooling resources. It's about what's best for this great club and maintaining our great history and tradition. I just don't believe merging with 'them' at any level is what we should ever be doing.

This news actually puts our recent poor results into perspective. For me this is worse news than any result...

Bobby Tyson-Wilson made his debut this year didn't he?

That's a worrying answer. There's not enough coming through so something needs fixing up, not sure this is it though. I'd rather they put a merged effort into developing the kids at 13/14 to create a better quality pool to select from.

It's a good job we don't have an Australian coach.

Is this in-part a tactic to ensure young players are kept on really low wages? Surely both clubs would have to agree on the players contract terms prior to any draft, to ensure both are paying the same? Would this be detrimental to the better ones?

I'm really fkd off about this. Our whole youth setup is merging with the enemy. Is this some kind of sick joke

IF we were to pool resources between the clubs, it should be at grassroots level to create a larger player pool for both clubs to draw from.

This method is decreasing the player pool, saving a few quid and quietly hoping the great amateur clubs in Hull can do the hard work for them.

We're in a spiral of doom
You can't cost cut your way out of a crisis.