So from a full paragraph, youve some to the same conclusion that yes, Bradford have to run an reserves due to then running a cat1 which is the original point I was making with the Fax fans that we didn't have to go through the process that they, Keighley etc have to go through to be accepted into the reserves. As I said, if Fax don't get accepted it stinks.

I'll bite on your "handsomely compensated" comment for running a cat1 academy. Whether the £100k figure is right or not I don't know. But I doubt very much Bradford will be making a profit from running a cat1 academy, otherwise if they did, everyone would be doing it (hence Salford dropped there's as they didn't want to fund it)

I'm proud we run that cat1 academy and keep the developing players for the sport that's short of players. Same for Fax, there's no love loss between Bulls/Fax but they should be bloody praised for funding a reserves keeping players in the sport and developing players like Chester Butley and Nick Rawsthorne (who could have easily been lost to the sport) beggars belief you sit there and sneer about us developing players, while your club borrowed 20+ different players from another club. TWENTY! Short termism is what kills this sport.

Anyway rant over.

On a calmer note, im glad Fev are running a reserves thie year, did they apply for the reserves league next year?

We're in... rlhttps://www.rugby-league.com/article/55496/line-up-for--reserve-grade-finalisedrl

Well that’s both good news and a relief, well done to everyone at Fax for all the hard work, getting the infrastructure in place and the application right.

This is great news and more so much deserved.

However funding may be an issue.
As I understand it once again the scales will have someone's hand pressing down on certain clubs and for all the hard work fax as put in that will mean nothing when the supergreed come to divvy up funds.

It looks like the league will be at least 14 strong. Now quite a few players will come from the academy age dropping from 19 to 18 and of course clubs can keep players on the fringes fresh but clubs will have to name 19 players week in week out.

Where do they find the other players to bolster the ranks? Are we going to see a situation were the clubs who are getting funding , use that to take away talent from fan run clubs like fax?

I think it sucks and personally think clubs such as fax , Newcastle etc should have more money pumped into this venture than our world beaters in SL

Agree MC as always the scales are tipped against us Would it help player numbers if squads were reduced to 15 on match day ?

A good way maybe at looking at it Bentley but I've always been a little more swayed to the opposite way.i believe that maybe reserve games should be run as friendly matches and an unlimited bench should be permitted so clubs in particular like us can field lads on trial from local clubs and not have the burden of contracts .

I know that if fax keep the lads they already have and build on that they will be a match for anyone on their day