Like most on here I was fairly stunned when Myler's appointment was announced earlier this year, a real bolt out of the blue to say the least. I also get the impression it raised a few eyebrows across the wider game as a whole.

But I think most of us would agree he has carried himself well since arriving at the club and he increasingly looks like he has a clear idea of where the club needs to go and, more importantly, he has a clear idea of how we go about redressing the numerous problems that have bedevilled us over the recent past.

I have said before that I do feel his hands were unquestionably tied when it came to player recruitment for next year. Trying to 'sell' Hull Fc to prospective incoming players must have been incredibly difficult during 2024, and I feel we have a squad which has been specifically designed for a purpose, namely to stop the boat from listing badly in choppy waters. I feel the aim is to show that we have stopped sliding backwards and we are once more a club moving in a positive direction which, hopefully, will make recruiting higher quality players a more viable possibility as Richie will be able to sell the club with a good deal more evidence of where we are heading than he was almost certainly able to do this year.

It goes without saying that there is still an awful lot of hard work to be done, both on and off the field, before we start to challenge for honours again, but maybe, after all our initial reservations, Myler's appointment may prove to be an inspired moment that altered the course of where we were going (nowhere essentially!). Sometimes with successful clubs it's not always the obvious signings which ultimately make the biggest difference but the ones whose true worth only becomes apparent further down the line, and maybe that will prove to be the case with Richie.

Only time will tell whether this is when Hull Fc woke up again and started the fightback to where we should be, or whether it is merely the latest in long line of false dawns. But reading this board over the past couple of weeks it is clear that there is a renewed sense of optimism, energy and enthusiasm for the club, and the way Myler has conducted himself of late has undoubtedly contributed to that feeling. On arriving earlier this year he promised to reconnect the club to its fan base and I would say he is beginning to fulfil on that promise, let's hope he continues in this regard.

I'm still not expecting a gigantic leap upwards over the next twelve months, and still believe 2025 may be another hard watch, but I do believe we are once more moving the right direction and, like most of us on here, I am way more positive and optimistic about the club than I was even two months ago, so thank the lord for that!!

Keep the faith, as always


(And that's my long-winded diatribe done for today, as one of Wilf's long time disciples



)

Think I mentioned in a post yesterday that I reckon the proposal will be rejected precisely on the grounds that you outline above. There would be a risk that a club like Doncaster, say, could replace someone like Salford or Huddersfield (or even Hull Fc!!!) which ultimately only weakens the competition as a whole if the promoted side are palpably incapable of competing at even a basic level.

I don't see this proposal getting through, but then it is rugby league we are talking about here so you can never be too sure in situations like these!!

I think the author of this proposal (Batley) would say that the SL would have to be in last position to be relegated.

Agree re Myler as think everyone was taken aback when he was announced as the clubs DoR, I said at the time I was willing to give him the benefit of doubt in part due to the success that another recently retired player had with us in Motu.
I'll be honest regardless of his relationship with AT, RM won't have been given the role just because he's with his daughter. I've worked and dealt with many successful business people over the years who won't just put people in positions for the sake of it, they still have to show that they are capable to do the role.

All the changes and the news of AT becoming the new owner of the club has really giving the whole club and fan base a lift the leadership brought in is also a significant step forward.

Agree with this.
No one is going to make a substantial investment in any business and then place an incompetent person in a vital role, irrespective of any family connections.
In fact, there are any number of middle-aged blokes who tend to have a dim view of their prospective son-in-law so it doesn't naturally follow family connections lead to better job prospects!!
The evidence is that Thirkill believes that Myler is the right man for the job ahead. Let's hope this proves to be the inspired appointment I hinted at above.

So in theory, should there be only one Grade B side in SL and they finish top, go the full season undefeated and win the treble they would still be relegated? Yeah i can't see that proposal going far.

Why is RL in a position where a club the size of Batley can table something like this? Why don't the rfl have control over the structure of the competitions?

Because this is the RFL we are talking about



It should either be any team that finishes top in the Championship gets promotion (should they meet the criteria and grading) and the team that finishes bottom of SL gets relegated whether A or B grade, they simply allow 2 up next year and expand the league.

Riddled in self interest Indeed!!!

Absolute lunacy just step back a moment out of the parochial world of British RL and you have to ask don't the clubs and the RL realise that the whole of the sports world is laughing at us, the current IMG regulations are bad enough but at least making clubs like Cas., Leigh and Wakey get their houses sorted out, but when it comes down to the number of Pixels on a screen deciding a clubs fate and even perhaps the difference between relegation and promotion, it buggers belief. Some would say you would say that, but everyone agrees outside the game when you explain it that it's just stupid and just shows us up. A recommendation yes, but basing points on it is ridiculous.

Now we have not even started the first season under the new regime and we have a massive change being suggested, based totally on self interest, from a club with a great heritage who I have always followed and admired and who have some dedicated supporters but that should on the present parameters never get in Super League (a harsh statement I agree but one I feel is justified). I'm sure Rochdale, Cornwall and Goole will be all for the change.

Now, Whilst all this tom foolery is going on the clubs are called in for another emergency meeting (almost an annual occasion these days) to bail out Salford (Again) who are in danger of going under next month and are relying on an advertising board on the M60 to save them. Whilst all the while observers from other sports look at the gates at Salford and Huddersfield and scratch their heads as to why they are Grade A clubs. As I say we are a bloody laughing stock.

P.S. Dan at the Mail is back from holidays tomorrow just in time for the fixtures being announced.

Salford and Huddersfield are GradeB, Salford were in fact not far off being demoted, so while I still have my concerns over the IMG system, they have been marked down for crowds and income so the scores have worked in that respect.

The problem for the league is the dwindling TV deal, costs are going up and up due to inflation but SKY get more and more content for less. I've said it before and I say it again this league could go part time within the decade.

Toulouse must be feeling slightly aggrieved, 0.39 points off Salford and their financial issues only come to light post IMG gradings

Salford are a shambles. I feel sorry for the fans and players but how the hell do you suddenly realise you need £1/2 m quid? It's down to really poor management of the club.

Haven't the council just bought the ground? Maybe they're trying to leverage something from them?

Thanks for that I got that wrong but the point I was making was that from the outside our game is baffling for many and just a case for laughing at for others. Only today I read an article by A RU pundit who stated in passing that it was hard to understand a game that was haemorrhaging attending supporters that sanction every game being televised. People are baffled by the goings on in our game and often quite frankly am I.

Don’t agree with the SL haemorraging attending supporters.

Haven’t got the actual stats to hand, but think average SL crowds has been increasing season upon season.

Easy to think crowds were huge in the 80’s. That may be true for Cup games, with all semi finals attracting 20k+ and big Wembley crowds.

However, many club’s league gates were modest. Early 80’s, Hull and Rovers were comparable to today. However, until Wigan struck gold, their gates, along with Sts, Leeds and Bradford were often c6-7k.

Yet for those already actively involved in supporting and loving our game, every game being on TV is the best thing that's happened haha.

Some investment from the NRL would be the best way for us to go, even if that means become a feeder league to them. For me it's the only way we keep it a full-time competition. Give players over here more of a platform to shine, whilst being able to bring in young up and coming Aussies to compete at a level above the Queensland and NSW cups

Think live TV affecting attendances is a bit of a myth.

If you look at other sports, most Premier League and England Test matches sell out despite wall to wall live coverage.

Quote ="Rugby Raider"Don’t agree with the SL haemorraging attending supporters. Haven’t got the actual stats to hand, but think average SL crowds has been increasing season upon season. Easy to think crowds were huge in the 80’s. That may be true for Cup games, with all semi finals attracting 20k+ and big Wembley crowds. However, many club’s league gates were modest. Early 80’s, Hull and Rovers were comparable to today. However, until Wigan struck gold, their gates, along with Sts, Leeds and Bradford were often c6-7k.'" I'm sure your right but cos I don't get out much I read a lot of national sports stuff and radio and I'm just saying what the perception of many sports writers etc. about our sport seems to be. the term haemorraging fans was the words used on talk sport when the fixtures were discussed. It's a perception thing. We are 'knee deep in the hoopla' as far as the game we love is concerned but to continue to attract national media attention in national newspapers TV and radio etc a level of national credibility is important particularly if we are to reverse sponsorship trends, tv money allocations etc. At present the perception out there does not match the reality. Incidentally not as straight forward as Salford thought, they hoped it would go through the special meeting today perhaps some clubs have reservations this time around. https://salfordreddevils.net/club-statement-21-11-24/

Quote ="Rugby Raider"Don’t agree with the SL haemorraging attending supporters. Haven’t got the actual stats to hand, but think average SL crowds has been increasing season upon season. Easy to think crowds were huge in the 80’s. That may be true for Cup games, with all semi finals attracting 20k+ and big Wembley crowds. However, many club’s league gates were modest. Early 80’s, Hull and Rovers were comparable to today. However, until Wigan struck gold, their gates, along with Sts, Leeds and Bradford were often c6-7k.'" I'm sure your right but cos I don't get out much I read a lot of national sports stuff and radio and I'm just saying what the perception of many sports writers etc. about our sport seems to be. the term haemorraging fans was the words used on talk sport when the fixtures were discussed. It's a perception thing. We are 'knee deep in the hoopla' as far as the game we love is concerned but to continue to attract national media attention in national newspapers TV and radio etc a level of national credibility is important particularly if we are to reverse sponsorship trends, tv money allocations etc. At present the perception out there does not match the reality. Incidentally not as straight forward as Salford thought, they hoped it would go through the special meeting today perhaps some clubs have reservations this time around. https://salfordreddevils.net/club-statement-21-11-24/

The NRL are already beginning to sow the seeds here I think, inviting Wigan and Warrington to Vegas, the switching of the ashes series to the UK, clubs announcing partnerships with NRL clubs. If the NRL were going to invest, I think they'd contact the clubs they wanted directly and set up their own comp, that way you don't need to pay the rfl anything. Also as seen with IMG, you can come up with recommendations but club chairmen still rule the roost with their self interest. NRL Europe should dictate the terms to the clubs, not vice versa as it is currently

Quote ="The Dentist Wilf"I'm sure your right but cos I don't get out much I read a lot of national sports stuff and radio and I'm just saying what the perception of many sports writers etc. about our sport seems to be. the term haemorraging fans was the words used on talk sport when the fixtures were discussed. It's a perception thing. We are 'knee deep in the hoopla' as far as the game we love is concerned but to continue to attract national media attention in national newspapers TV and radio etc a level of national credibility is important particularly if we are to reverse sponsorship trends, tv money allocations etc. At present the perception out there does not match the reality. Incidentally not as straight forward as Salford thought, they hoped it would go through the special meeting today perhaps some clubs have reservations this time around. https://salfordreddevils.net/club-statement-21-11-24/'" I do agree. The perception of RL is very poor, with it primarily being a minority sport played along the M62. Obviously our game doesn’t help itself, with self interest trying to leave a door open for villages/towns of Featherstone and Batley to get into SL, as opposed to targeting new regions and cities and supporting their development within SL. (e.g. London). We can’t deny other sports just market themselves better. Twickenham looks a picture with 80,000 packed in it to watch England compared with our recent international at Wigan and Leeds when less than 20k turned up. Our product is far better, yet Rah Rah fans will happily pay more and turn out in huge numbers to watch it take several minutes for a scrum to be reformed multiple times, before celebrating like there’s no tomorrow because their team has won a penalty for a technical infringement on something that no one understands. Still don’t think we have the joined up thinking to transform te sport, however I do think the introduction of IMG has made clubs focus on improving things off the field. The game needs a major sponsor though and increased revenue to allow salary cap increases to attract better players to SL.

Quote ="The Dentist Wilf"I'm sure your right but cos I don't get out much I read a lot of national sports stuff and radio and I'm just saying what the perception of many sports writers etc. about our sport seems to be. the term haemorraging fans was the words used on talk sport when the fixtures were discussed. It's a perception thing. We are 'knee deep in the hoopla' as far as the game we love is concerned but to continue to attract national media attention in national newspapers TV and radio etc a level of national credibility is important particularly if we are to reverse sponsorship trends, tv money allocations etc. At present the perception out there does not match the reality. Incidentally not as straight forward as Salford thought, they hoped it would go through the special meeting today perhaps some clubs have reservations this time around. https://salfordreddevils.net/club-statement-21-11-24/'" I do agree. The perception of RL is very poor, with it primarily being a minority sport played along the M62. Obviously our game doesn’t help itself, with self interest trying to leave a door open for villages/towns of Featherstone and Batley to get into SL, as opposed to targeting new regions and cities and supporting their development within SL. (e.g. London). We can’t deny other sports just market themselves better. Twickenham looks a picture with 80,000 packed in it to watch England compared with our recent international at Wigan and Leeds when less than 20k turned up. Our product is far better, yet Rah Rah fans will happily pay more and turn out in huge numbers to watch it take several minutes for a scrum to be reformed multiple times, before celebrating like there’s no tomorrow because their team has won a penalty for a technical infringement on something that no one understands. Still don’t think we have the joined up thinking to transform te sport, however I do think the introduction of IMG has made clubs focus on improving things off the field. The game needs a major sponsor though and increased revenue to allow salary cap increases to attract better players to SL.

True. You focus more on the referee rather than the "action" and wait for the inevitable penalty which often goes against the attacking team which I find puzzling.

"trying to stop the Titanic sinking with a plaster." Looks like Salford are in more trouble than they would have us believe. They look to be existing on Council grants and loans and now the clubs are worried that that even get through the winter they need an advance of £500,000 on their sky money. They have still been spending quite big on incoming players and it looks from this that a few of the other clubs have grave reservations. https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... e-30428451

"trying to stop the Titanic sinking with a plaster." Looks like Salford are in more trouble than they would have us believe. They look to be existing on Council grants and loans and now the clubs are worried that that even get through the winter they need an advance of £500,000 on their sky money. They have still been spending quite big on incoming players and it looks from this that a few of the other clubs have grave reservations. https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... e-30428451

They only turn out in huge numbers for International games thats one reason why several RU clubs are in financial difficulty.
The other reason is big company name sponsorship for the stadium and the International game..The International game also takes out of the sports funding four times the money than the club game.Thats a huge diifference.
The RU international games at Twickenham are more to do with tradition than quality entertainment.
The game now is a better product but even in the past years when the game was drab and boring the fans would still pack out Twickenham
Rugby League on the other hand not only suffers from a lack of big company sponsors but an inept Governing body who have no idea how to market the sport.
£500,000 spent with the speadsheet Charlies IMG for little meaningful enhancement for the game would have been far better allocated to a Marketing budget given to a young hungry marketing company

I will give Union a lot of credit for sticking to tradition with their internationals and they've built the show up over many decades. The 6Nations for example is the same time, same cities every year with teams in traditional kits.

RL messes around with the schedule too much, like our 4nations was going well something like 40k at Anfield for a Australia-NZ final then the powers that be decided not to ever host one again??

Salford are a club seriously living beyond their means and have been doing for years. Will they ever work as a top super league club, I doubt it. Granted they're playing above their finances but that will only last for so long. If I was a super league chairman I'd reject their request for emergency funding as they are not sustainable. With such a massive amount needed now they're only gonna end up in s creek in a few months time which will have repercussions in super league down the line. Makes a mockery of img too.

Sadly I have to agree and giving in to Salford’s request based on what’s come out so far would be like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. Whilst I appreciate cash flow issues can have a real impact the figure of half a million is one hell of a lot to be struggling for. The concern I’d have is whether they are actually sustainable with an emergency injection of 500K further down the line. If there is to be any agreement by the other clubs to agree to bailing Salford out then you’d expect there’d have to be some form of sanctions/penalties imposed on them.

It’s not a good look for a sport already struggling to change the perception of people from outside the sport.