Really informative post, Wilf. Excellent counterpoint to a lot of the misinformed rumour and disinformation that tends to surround our tenancy.

I've often wondered why the club don't clarify our position in this more clearly to the fan base, just the general outline of our basics terms and agreement, not the fine detail points obviously.

I've never had any real concerns about our agreement to reside at the stadium, but at times the unsubstantiated rumour mill has done the rounds (unchecked by anyone connected with our club) about how we are about to be evicted at anytime soon, particularly when City were a PL club.

Same, I think people just don’t understand how much it would cost to build a stadium. In a money no object fantasy world then a St’s stadium would probably be ideal (18K capacity) but that stadium cost £25 million over 15 years ago. That was funded by selling Knowsley road for housing, we would be starting from nothing. It would be at least £50 million nowadays and would take decades to pay off before we could see any profit from gate receipts etc.

Cheers for the clarity, while it’s obviously something they’ll be keen to get sorted I’d be surprised if a takeover would have gone through if there was even the slightest doubt that we would have a ground in the next couple of years.

Whislt its good to know that the clubs financial future seems secured for the next few years its what happens on the field that really counts.
Success breeds success not only in bringing in quality exciting players but it also builds the fan base as seen at HKR.
Sadly with this squad we are miles away from that and big name options quota or UK based very limited for 2026 due to contracts unless the club once again pay off players.
Have to say it looks like been turned down by Rowley and Lam has done us a favour.
Impressed with Cartwright on and off the field and pleased also that Andy Last is back on board.
If anyone can get a tune out of that lot,instill the discipline and fitness it looks to be Cartwright.

Just think, if he'd taken the easy option we'd be stuck in the mire for years to come

Richie, Why did you leave your wife for the daughter of a multi millionaire business owner?

Surely you mean =#FF0000cond cussed?

Would largely agree with this.
Having new ownership on board is only the first (significant) step on the road back to the top.

But, as you say, games (and trophies) are ultimately won on the pitch not the boardroom, and right now we are clearly still some way off the pace in that regard and 2025 still looks like it will be a bit of a slog to watch, although hopefully no where near as dispiriting as 2024 was to sit through!

The key now comes in the brains trust, and that means specifically Myler and Cartwright, starting to make the right decisions at the right time concerning the right people. And this is no where more pertinent than in player recruitment going forward. Our hands are fairly tied in the immediate, but if we are to make any decent progress up the ladder then our player additions for 2026/27 have to be way more inspired than they have been in recent years, which obviously left a lot to be desired!!

The proof is in the pudding, as the old saying goes! All the positivity and new start investment will quickly fritter away if we don't see improvements on the field which, as you say, is ultimately what only matters in sport.
I'm more hopeful than I was six months ago (hell, even six days ago!) but we still need to see how this pans out before we start revving up the open-top bus once more for a trophy parade

To quote Mrs Merton's legendary question to the (lovely) Debbie McGee; 'what was it that first attracted you to the millionaire Paul Daniels'



Can't say it's a situation that has ever arisen for me personally (or indeed is ever likely too either!!) so can't speak from personal experience in this regard

I’m still taking in all the news from yesterday but can’t feel anything but very positive moving forward.

For all his detractors when he was appointed (and regardless of his connection to Thirkell) I thought Myler came across fairly well and has made a lot of the difficult decisions that were needed.

JC for me just ticks all the boxes so far, sound positive, knowledgeable and believable and also someone who seems able to get the message across. I think getting him in to the club is pretty much best business the club has done for years.

Thirkell again spoke very well as you’d expect for a man of his standing in business but also spoke passionately about our club and seems to get/understand it. He knows the game very well and wants to achieve success.

AP showed relief in having the weight of the club removed from his shoulders. We know he’s made mistakes but we should be thankful and grateful for what he has done in his time as owner. Sadly I think Covid did for him without any other financial support or stakeholder to share the burden. He kept the club afloat and fought for us against the Allam lead SMC and has secured the future of the club in trusted hands.

What came across more than anything last night was that there seemed to be a genuine and natural togetherness/relationship between all 4 of AP, AT, JC & RM which is something we haven’t seen for decades and can only put us on the right foot moving forward.

It’s great for our club, great for the city and great for SL and the wider game.

I think some have rose tinted spectacles about the state the Boulevard was in by the end. That Best stand would be a health and safety nightmare in the 2020s, fans pouring in down a narrow alley, up steep steps to sit on wooden benches. Capacity would have been massively cut and I'd guesstimate due to the size of the site be down to 7-8k capacity. Even the 'new Threepenny' would be 30 years old now and it wasn't exactly state of the art when built.

Also there was a noticeable increase in women and kids going when we moved to the MKM due to the better facilities. Hard to play 'what if' but I dont think we'd have 3 Challenge Cups (and City 3 Premier League spells) without the stadium.

Pearson said last night that they've got the last 3 or 4 recruitment cycles wrong and it'll take 2 or 3 to get back to where it needs to.

Myler openly stated why we've recruited who we have for next year and why. None of this is going to change overnight, as has been pointed out to you for many weeks before this announcement.

Unless we move players on there won't be much cap available next year and definitely not enough for significant signings mid season

There'll be a few coming to the end of their contracts who need to seriously up their games or they'll be gone possibly early, Lane and Fash are two that spring to mind. There'll be movement, club has show it can be ruthless now

I hate sounding up myself in such situations but I was there so I guess I can say it!!

Fash needs a big season and it's his testimonial year too. Be interesting to see how he goes especially as he'll be playing catch up with missing a big chunk of pre season.

And won't be a shoe in for the first time in about 3 seasons

Fash and Lane won’t be FC players next season

I still have recurring nightmares about Lane

Fash is contracted for 2026 …

Obviously we’ll have to see how Fash starts the season, however I’d doubt he’ll make the first 17 and will be on the fringe.

Unless there’s a marked improvement in performance and his discipline I can see him being one of the next players moved on. I can’t imagine our new owners/DoR/Coach are going to sit on their hands and put up with any non performing players next season.

He’ll probably get plenty of games still, Ashworth struggled with injuries and Sao will no doubt have disciplinary issues. Also Asiata, who knows how he’ll fair games/minutes wise.

That’s why it’s important to get another forward in, so the likes of Fash aren’t playing out of necessity most weeks.

I thought Myler was quite good.

I’m expecting our discipline to be much improved next season. No excuses. Ligi and Fash were woeful in that aspect last season and it can no longer be tolerated. I doubt many teams win a game when have a player sin binned or sent off, especially in the first 60 mins.

I trust a fitter squad will also reduce some of the injuries. Although some will always occur in a full on contact sport.

Agree on cartwright, seems like the exact guy we need right now. Also agree on Last, think he is a really smart addistion.

Can see your point on recruitment and as it stands we will only have one quota spot for 2026 (Sao's), so I'm guessing we will be going all out for a couple of domestic forwards and use the quota spot on a centre.

It also depends on how some of the young lads go, I think the club fully expect the likes of Moy, Dawson, Westerman, Charles, Wainhouse and Staveley to be ready for 2026, playing week out, it wont be all of them, but if we can have half of those ready to be good SL players (which i think is realistic, then it makes our recruitment a lot easier). For the last 3 years or so, we have had a top 4 academy and reserve team, like Wigan and saints, we need to start turning these in good SL players.

I think if we can add 3 more very good players (centre and two forwards) and if some of these players are ready, then I think we could challenge for the top 6 in 2026. Then the year after bring in 4 or so overseas players that push us a step further.

I think a 3 year plan of

2025 8th/9th
2026 6th
2027 top 4

is possible.

Is a bit of a worry that next year we’ll only have one quota spot, it’ll be interesting to see who’s available come December 1st.

Interestingly, in 2027, Cust will be 28 and non quota. I’ve always thought he has bags of talent but hasn’t been on the pitch yet on show it and build momentum. Hopefully with us he can do it.