Thank you-hope we can follow your lead.

Personally I think it's a very good post woothe discussing. I would like us to finish in the top four, the money would help us strengthen and it might just attract further sponsorship and support.
I am quite sure Richard would want to be in the top four and its up to the board of finding a way to help him achieve this.

"You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else"
Albert Einstein.

It is essential for us to finish top 4. If we do finish top 4 and we go on to lose all the games in the middle 8 that doesn't really matter in the short term. We need the extra funding so we can hopefully help RM add to the squad and we also need to show ambition to attract better players. If you satisfy yourself with lower championship rugby then all you will ever attract will be lower championship standard players. Of course this may not help the crowd levels but I suggest that unless we get back into SL then crowds will not increase anyway.

I have always believed that every club has a duty to attempt to put on its best performance when it walks on to a pitch. As a consequence I believe this debate is not about should we try and come as high as possible but IF we will achieve a top four spot based on the season so far - A small but vital distinction.

I have now had the opportunity to watch 11 of the championship clubs play (thats the advantage of having too much spare time) the exception being Doncaster (I am not sure i have missed much). Based upon this I would make the following comments:-

- The standard of referees in the league remains below expectation, whilst i feel they are actually working better as a "team" this year the guys in the middle are making some serious mistakes. I believe that this is down to both a lack of empathy with the players and a level of fitness that means they struggle for parts of the game. Given this it remains very feasible that the top four places could, if the league remains close, come down to refereeing mistakes over a season....contra to belief there is no mathematical logic that "decisions even themselves out over a season" - they don't!

- Leigh and Bradford are operating at a higher level of consistent skill, fitness and squad strength than the other teams in the league (albeit in a one off game either could loose) so will be in the top four.
- London Broncos off season was horrendous, they have a talented group of players, but lacked motivation and fitness. They are on the up now, with real coach, and, whilst exposed to key player injury (although DR will help), will continue to improve. They will loose a few more games but will be in the top four.
- Sheffield are punching above their weight, as ever. Good recruitment, well coached, but exposed by depth of squad. Have had a relatively easy start. Fighting for fourth
- Featherstone gone backwards this year, despite recruitment and squad size. Always hard to overcome, but have they been knocked for six by Castleford's plans as they appear to have lost energy off the field? . Fighting for fourth
- Halifax, Significant improvement since last season, but lack of investment in "playmakers" has hampered development of team. Defence still suspect. Fighting for fourth
- The rest, can always cause an upset, but nothing in teams that should frighten the rest.

So for me there is just a reinforcement of my pre-season views. Fax can do it, but I seriously worry that our lack of playmakers in the key games will let us down an when we get there we will struggle to win a game.

The only thing the season proves so far (including the cup games) is you need to be full-time to stand a chance of competing for promotion and every season Fax are only Part-time, under present 8's format, will have same results. So prize money, BOD investment (above the generous amounts given now) and enhanced fans financial and physical support will all be needed. But then whats new!

I am not going to rise to Howard Posner's analysis of the 'Fax shortcomings, this season, other than to comment that it may have looked different if Miles Greenwood were still at Fullback! That's not to criticise James Saltonstall, arguably the outstanding player so far, but he would have contributed in another position. The modern approach is to play a 'pivot' at Fullback, Scrum Half, Stand off and Hooker. Because of Miles' injury we haven't had that luxury, up to know.
However, I do want to emphasise what I said at last week's Fax Forum. There was no pressure on Richard Marshall to target the top 4 (and thus the middle 8s) this season. His brief is to entertain, and if that generates a Middle 8 place, so much the better.
Fax's central funding this season is £200K because we finished 3rd in last season's Championship, or 17th overall. 17th overall in 2015 and beyond means winning the Championship Shield, and the funding next year will be the same.
Bottom of the middle 8s will increase central funding to £450K (Featherstone this year), second bottom £500K (Leigh this year), third bottom and loser of the 'million pound game will each get £787K (London and Bradford this year).
We are not planning for a backward step, although it could happen. Any forward step has such financial significance that a Club can recruit to consolidate and then move forward. Our ambition for the rest of this season is to maintain our present league position and thus enter the middle 8s, use the increased funding to ensure a reserve grade and to consolidate next season, leading to reserve grade and full time the season after.
But it won't be achieved on Home Gates of 1122! Bring a Friend (or three).
Michael Steele

This thread got a mixed response as expected,but the last 2 responses from Mssrs
Posner and Steele certainly made it worthwhile !

Nice post and hear hear to that.

- Featherstone gone backwards this year, despite recruitment and squad size. Always hard to overcome, but have they been knocked for six by Castleford's plans as they appear to have lost energy off the field? . Fighting for fourth
there plans have been thrown out

Superb post Mr Steele,

Without doubt the biggest challenge the Club faces is trying to increase crowd numbers the Club could do so much more with a healthier fan base . A couple of days ago I posted on Facebook asking if anyone would be interested in forming a group , to exchange ideas or offer help in boosting crowds on a matchday . So I am asking on here as well , would any of you be willing to come along to a meeting I had quite a few replies offering help but some people can`t make mid week and wanted a conveniant town location .
Any ideas are welcome and we need help from a wide age range too ,this is for anybody who has just that bit of extra time , ideas and energy to commit to increasing crowd numbers .
This may include leaflet delivery , chatting to people in the town centre as we have a stall in the Summer and one at the gala where help may be needed . Passing out leaflets to pubs , clubs , hairdressers , barbers , coffee shops restaurants and coming up with some new ideas we could try which will add to the good work the Club and CCT already do .
If midweek is bad for most does anyone know if it`s possible to have the bar at the Shay on a Saturday lunchtime `ish or any other location that would be conveniant .
This is not about why people don`t come any more this is about ideas to get lost fans back and cultivating new ones , we have nothing to lose by trying this and everything to gain.

I have been a fan of Halifax RLFC since the days of Maurice Bamford so have seen many ups & downs over the years, but one thing I am certain about is that the fan base will not improve significantly until the club invests in quality players & is competing to win championships. I admire the BOD for the way they have kept the club going over the years in very difficult circumstances, but without investment in the club, we have to accept we are where we are, and just keep plugging away until someone or a group of people come along with a large amount of money to invest!

It's different for the die-hard Fax supporters (including most on here) because we'll go and support the team regardless, but for the new or "casual" attendee there has to be something special to get them to hand over around £20 of their hard-earned cash. A winning team, playing some classy, skilful rugby will attract newcomers - and maybe keep them coming again and again - and eventually turn them into one of the die-hards.

I think Michael's comments around RM's brief being to entertain is spot on - but unfortunately we're not quite ticking that box yet...

Johnny Freeman Fan Club have PM'd you.

Thank you I have replied.

Felt my opening post on this topic may have been a bit hasty...if it was it was only one week too early.