Surely they won't refuse after all this time, I also thought Hame's only took 14 working days.Whatever neither will play in the derby.

No. His application is not one of those listed.

I suggested getting the "powers that be" involved early on after the refusal. Glad that something might actually be happening, but the club, as Crocker's prospective employer need to start chasing this up.

Yes it's Crocker's application, but if the club aren't seen to be supporting it and helping out as much as they can, it could take forever. Perhaps the local MP (Alan Johnson?) should be contacted to rally round Sutcliffe and kick the Immigration Minister's butt. Phil Woolas is the minister and represents Oldham. I think he mentions the RL team on his website so he must be aware of the story.

So...a sports minister admitting he didnt know there was a problem with Visa's being rejected.........does he know there is a sport called Rugby League.

Im suprised most of you still want him here considering all the posts about BC saying how much of a thug he is and should be de registered yet this guy has a conviction for affray

Have to agree

everybody knows how useless MP's are they're all talk.
But reading alittle into whats said in the article i hope this means the extra delay is the final few papers been sorted out to grant him his Visa.

If it was Premier League it would have been sorted, money talks. They may play in the away derby, eh??????????

He's an MP for Bradford South on his website there are pics of him at odsal so I reckon he does

Didn't JR say when the re-application went in, that they had done everything possible at this end with references, statements of his projected involvement in the community etc.
We all know how bad the club are with keeping us up to speed on anything, then all of a sudden they reveal what has been done on their side.
I really do feel now that the club has to put us in the picture from their perspective now that the sports minister has offered his help if needed.

the comments, unbelievable stuff on there

It just goes to show what happen's when you let a bunch of idiot's lose 95% of the comments had nothing to do with the article just winding each other up .

the main man at fc is full of it,i dont believe anything he says,i dont think he is that keen on crocker coming now,due too the economic crisis were in.i get the impression he wants it too fall through.

Whilst I have no particular admiration for James Rule I think that is about as far off the mark as possible.

And then some

He was thinking that but after the G-20 he wants him to come again now.

Likewise with people who jump straight on to the 'blaming the club' bandwagon.

WTF

So you think it is acceptable that we have not sought intervention/clarification from the relevant minister? Then fair enough.

Has the cuddle crew died, only to be replaced by the Sycophant Seven?

Sutcliffe is not the relevant minister.

So, it's not relevant to the Sports Minister?

Whilst he isn't responsible for the Immigration service, it is in his remit to investigate the impact of the service on sport.

Apparently he didn't think it was until he was contacted by the press, since he was blissfully unaware of the havoc being wreaked by his colleagues. This despite numerous stories in all forms of media and the impact on his 'local' RL club, Bradford.

Just how much help do you expect this numbnuts to be?


Nevertheless, the relevant minister is the one responsible for Immigration. His department has been talking to the RFL and the clubs about this situation. So to state that the relevant minister has not been contacted is misleading IMO.

There is also the consideration to be made about when to go over the heads of the officials concerned. Bringing in another minister early on in the proceedings could actually jeopardise Crocker's chances by putting noses out of joint.

Bear in mind that Sutcliffe has no authority to directly affect decisions by UKBA. All he can do is make some enquiries and then sit back and see what happens.

If i were the RFL i would be demanding an audience with both and get them both in the same room to work through a solution.

Personally I am quite happy that the Minister for Sport is dealing with the major sports and events (you know, like the Olympics in 2012 etc.) and not being diverted by a minority sport like RL.



I have no idea, but he'd be a lot more help had we actively engaged him as soon as it was relevant.




That is your opinion, which is wrong, there is no single relevant minister, when the actions of one department impact on the responsibilities of another then TWO ministers become relevant. You're just sticking up for the club, as is your right.




You might want to try talking down to other posters Kosh, but it doesn't work with me, I am well aware of the workings of Government thanks.