No he's got another 3 years left.

At what turned out to be enormous cost.

I'm fairly confident he won't be going anywhere.

They also stated Paul Cooke was a registered player despite their own operational rules stating at that time that they required a [usigned[/u contract (not a legally binding, a verbal agreement etc. I mean a [usigned[/u contract) to validate a player's registration otherwise he was classed as a "contract expired player".

I get the strong impression the RFL make things up as they go along to serve their own purpose and in this case it benefits them making "off the record" agreements to get the highest profile signing in the summer era here in this country playing in the SL competition - especially in the light of Eastmond jumping ship to the toff brigade.

You're right in saying that Dobson is technically a "contract expired player" but this is irrelevant in the big scheme of things cos Dobson won't be going anywhere.

Napoleon.

Assuming the board says "Yes" to re-register, the decision can be overturned by the RFL council of member clubs that has to ratify the boards decisions. Lets hope the club have plenty of friends amongst other clubs, or Dobbo could be an expensive Spectator for the rest of the year.

You are also up against the Challenge Cup deadline for him to play after the next round (he would be fine for that if registered anytime soon). If he is not back on your register by 16th May, he is out of the team for the cup for the rest of the season (the thackray loophole got closed!).

It is a massive risk, especially if the passport was imminent - waiting a week or so wouldn't make a massive difference and I am not sure how many more paying fans Mason will add to the crowd on Sunday.

This whole situation makes me proud in the knowledge what high regard Dobbo holds in S/L, people hopeing TOP S/L teams will come in splashing the cash and snatch him from under our noses.
All this just 3 years from when we where told he wasn't good enough for our neighbours, yet it is mainly them who are revelling in this situation.
Dobbo will take this in his stride as he is no stranger to controversy..."There was some controversy over Dobson's signing for Wigan. Under English law, Dobson was not permitted to play in England because he did not have a work permit. However, Wigan managed to obtain a work permit for him, albeit in controversial circumstances.When Dobson signed for Wigan, they were at the bottom of the Super League table, 6 points behind the nearest team and heading towards relegation. Dobson's impact at Wigan helped the team survive relegation in the 2006 season."
When this blows over, just like the "Willie won't get a visa" episode, there will be a lot of people with egg on their faces....."yet again".......

Andrew Johns.

I am sure someone will correct me if i am wrong but as Rovers have terminated Dobsons employment are they not obliged to inform the UKBA of this...?? And if this is the case does Dobson have only six months to find gainful employment..or leave the UK..??

The reactions of other clubs now the story is out are paramount as to wether the re-registration is a rubber stamping exercise or not....i am sure this is not what Rovers intended when coming up with this fiendish plan.....

How will Big Willie fit into the Challenge Cup deadline, if he has to be re registered?

If he has actually left employment, yes. And it's 28 days, not 6 months. UKBA are never that generous.

Well since we're doing speculation, how about this for a scenario? Rovers feck up leaving Mason stranded in Aus, forcing him to go to Tonga on a pointless fast track trip and leaving him to train alone. With 6 months elapsed, no sign of the passport and potential Aussie offers coming in Mason tells Rovers to "put up or shut up". Afraid of losing their man and with Dobson injured, Rovers agree, albeit reluctantly. They try and shift Clinton who's having none of it with a back-weighted deal. De-registration is the only real option. I'm quite pleased with that scenario, well done me.

Wow

you should write a book, but where would it go? Fiction? or Factual?

I am sure Willie will not be able keep it all secret forever, been the straight talking guy he is....

Mrs B might not be so far off the mark with at least some of it.......

And they stuck with that story. They eventually cleared him to sign for Rovers by claiming that he had submitted a letter of resignation that had been accepted by FC. Once they put out a story they never go back on it, rightly or wrongly.


The RFL have their own interests at the top of their priorities at all times. They will not do or say anything that might indicate an error on their part, or make public any shady dealings that might have gone on. And I imagine that they would consider the loss of Dobson for the rest of the season (or even for good) a price well worth paying if required.


He isn't a Contract Expired player. He's a Free Agent. There is a difference, albeit not a huge one in this instance. I have no doubt that Dobson has agreed to stay at Rovers on the basis that everything gets cleared up in good time. The only complications might be if this were to drag on with further delays to Mason's passport, or if the RFL decide he can't re-register this season.

I can't imagine Dobson leaving, i'm sure Rovers has some kind of agreement with him. The issue is if the RFL won't allow him to re-register this seasonin accordance with their rules.

If Dobson is a free agent then why would registering him be a problem? What if he signed for someone else, would they have problems registering him? If he is indeed a "free agent", then what's the difference? Sorry if this has already been covered.

The difference is a new club would register him....Hull KR need to [ure[/u-register him as you have de-registered him.

If Dobson is now [uun[/u-registered then what difference does it make? Or is it just another pedantic RFL ruling and there's no actual difference?

Indeed Paul I would be ASTOUNDED if he left.
I would also very very suprised if no matter what the RFL said if they hadn't already agreed in secret to green light his re-registration.

I actually dont think thats a mile away from the truth. All this baloney about the rfl wanting Mason here and would make exceptions for Dobsons sacking and unsacking is quite truthfully laughable.

It is in the rules that he can't be re-registered for the same club in the same season as his de-registration unless the board take the steps to green light it.

Could be more bad news for Willie if Tonga is hit by the Tsunami which is hitting the Pacific Islands, his passport may get held up even more.

There is a rule in the RFL operating instructions that says a quota player cannot be de-registered an then re-registered by the same club in the same season without gaining special dispensation from the RFL.