A few thoughts:

1. Yes, we all know we have been regally shafted by the RFL (again!) but it's not just about Halifax RLFC. All other Championship/1 clubs should take this stark warning on board as a massive reality check. We are talking about the future of our game here, a game which was built around communities. On a personal note generations of my family have supported Fax starting pre-1900. The game is now under serious threat from within. The only difference between SL and McDonald's is that the latter is run as a serious business where the former is an ongoing farce. They always wanted RL to go National, well it has, it is now a national laughing stock!

2. I, personally, believe that a protest would have no effect whatsoever and would just make us look ridiculous and lacking in dignity. The RFL have humiliated us enough without us amplifying it.

3. Some people have already responded with comments along the lines of "That's me finished with RL for good!". I hope that's just a knee-jerk reaction on the spur of the moment. I'm sure we all feel that way to some extent but I don't know about the rest of you but I want to hit back starting on Saturday by showing that we are ALL still behind the club and not ready to "desert in droves" as has been suggested on the FCHT and Fev forums among others (wishful thinking by some petty and very spiteful people I think)

4. We still have a title to defend. Let's get behind the boys and do what we do best. SUPPORT THEM!!!!!

5. Lastly, I think we should wait until the RFL's plans for the Championships for next season and beyond are announced which has to be in the next few weeks and following that, probably in the close season, we should attempt to get together with representatives of ALL Championship/1 clubs, both supporters and club officials, with a view to reclaiming OUR game in a professional and organised manner.

Well Said Faxmachine

Well me and mine will be there.

The dust hasnt settled yet though, still many questions need answering, what would have happened had Widnes not applied? would we have got in? What grade do Widnes have now? Why dont we have a grade? Grading needs quantifying, it cannot be subjective, or holistic like the fat tool says it is. If he wants something holistic i suggest he gets his fat a55 down to tourist shop in Glastonbury. Will Wakefield and all other clubs release details of the applications, the whole thing stinks to high hell.
I think the RFL need pursuing further on this matter, and certain SL Clubs.

what happens if the 'promises' that were clearly made in afew of the SL clubs bids dont deliver by the start of 2012??!!

or was that date another goalpost waiting to be moved?

i am behind your original post though, i will down the shay early on saturday in my blue and white!

totally agree with fax machine, best thing we can do now is support our boys and let them know we are still behind them. looking forward to cheering on saturday

Nothing. I remember that Fev were given a 'promise' of first reserve back in '95 when we finished 11th and they took top 10 plus London and Paris.

Great original post

Yes they did, it was another rip off.

Different day same crap as they say.

Great first post mate, nice sentiment. Not sure the dust has settled yet to be honest. However, I have sat back since Tuesday and not posted any comments at all as not to over react or state something silly.

What is clear tho now is that we are a game that has survived for a century and a quarter based on common goals and a strong family feeling. That feeling seems dead now. In a world of quick bucks and exposure something has changed in our sport. We've seen it happen and been powerless to stop it.

Is our game richer and are clubs built on stronger foundations than before? It's hard to say so when, as a game we are no more developed than when I first went to thrum hall 32 years ago. I mean by this that crowds were large then in the top league as they are now, we've seen clubs continue to go under, ours more than most, and still no team from Wales seems to be financially viable as an example. The core teams are still in the top league, only now they won't ever leave.

I've seen posts on various threads having a pop at other clubs, plenty aimed at us, this is what we have become now we are all sold down the river. Reading a post from a Sheffield fan pointing out he believes the same criteria as The rfl board speaks volumes to me. The irony of a fan supporting a team that had to start up because they were sold down the river and forced to merge shows we are blind to this whole situation as a collective.

Those fans of the lucky few who dine at the top table know deep down something is wrong here. The problem is, its human nature to close your eyes, its the easier option in life. Our unified bond of common values have gone in the main, because people have too much to lose nowadays.

It's a sad situation that less than two weeks ago our great club and fans were praised for good sportsmanship, we lost in a tough way but took it well. We stand here now, having lost something that nobody except a tiny handful of people could influence and we cannot do a thing to change it. Tuesday was so much worse than losing any game, because we as a club are unable to affect the outcome.

I'll never walk away from my club, I have been to grounds and clubs that the likes of wood and Lewis never thought existed. I'll be here when they go off into the sunset too. I just hope that others share my desire to ride them out and have a clear and open opportunity to see my team get promoted one day in the distant future.

Good on you mate, its posts like yours that started this thread that shows things will move on. Even tho life ain't always fair!

I really do believe the the time has come though for the Championships to take a hold on their own destiny instead of begging at the SL table. We (all the clubs) can not just sit back year after year being continually ridiculed, humiliated and destroyed by Redhall.

The Championship Clubs are in need of some Moloko plus my droog, seems as though SL has lost its yarbles.

... and bolshy great yarblokos to the RFL! If they would only open their glazzies. (not sure about the spelling, to be honest. lol)

I watched mr blobby (Nigel Wood) last night on boots and all, getting a right grilling as to why Halifax were not promoted and watching him squirming in his chair with his evasive answers, it just made me so furious.I can`t believe this man used to run our club, where the hell is his loyalty to Halifax, knowhere to be seen.Every time he spoke you could see it was a blatant lie, i think he must have taken a few lessons from Tony Blair.

For me i will support the lads through and through, lets face it a lot of supporters of other teams would have loved the opportunity to see their team in 3 finals in 3 yrs ok we didn,t win them all, but they tried there hardest to win, and thats all we can ask of them.

I found it quite interesting that Mr Wood managed to use the same answer for 5 different questions

Except it isn't funny is it ?

Not the first time I have suggested collaboration , sure it won't be the last , but , it's no use building an argument with the RFL and trying to force anything upon them , it needs collaboration to increase revenue and income , as it is that and that alone that will one day release us from the idiots currently running our game