Don't think anybody thought it a crackpot idea last season, but I do agree that there is very little to play for in the doldrums 8's.

plenty thought it was a bad idea but were just happy fax qualified to take on SL teams. nobody in right mind thought anyone would actually get into SL .

Please correct me if I am wrong ( I probably will be ) !
Remembering the mid nineties and our re emergence as a force in S L, we had crowds of 4/5000 regularly and some 'big name'sponsors, then a bloke from Fax went to Red Hall, and ever since we have been on a downward spiral with the exception of a few blips. We should have been given a place back in S L as we had better facilities and structure than several clubs at that time who kept their licence.
What or how did we upset this man ( some call him the fat controller) as it seems he has kept us out of the top tier of R L, which in turn has seen us with ( no disrespect intended) average players and lesser sponsors than we might have had given the exposure SL enjoys.
Let's face it our face does not and has not fit at Red Hall for a long time and it seems that in certain quarters we are an embarrassment
On a final point I am sure the players do not get up Sunday morning and say to themselves " I will settle for losing pay today" ? Although they have to take the brunt of the blame as they are unpredictable, it can tbeR M 'sfault all the time as I am sure he does not change basic tactics or game plans weekly, although he does need to settle on his best 17 and not sentiment for all games, it seems more knowledgable people than me say we have let players leave that should have been wearing the shirt more regularly and if that happened they may have stayed at Fax. Living away from home I can only read and assimilate what is written on the various platforms and make my judgement from that. (my last live game was against widnes last year in the 8's, so I have seen in the flesh quite recently).
Thank you for reading my comments and welcome constructive replies. Real name can be found if you search my profile!!!

I did.

I would like to see the backs strengthened next season.are centres seem very limited.which shows by the lack of tries are wingers score.where would you strengthen?

Definately need a new first choice centre,Heaton squad player at best.

In a nutshell. Average attendance 8000 in 1992.
Been a downward spiral since.

Reasons in no particular order.
Fan base not being replaced sufficiently. SKY TV.
Bradford Bulls concept. Relocation to the Shay. Ken Davy propping up Huddersfield. Leeds domination of the sport. The working class priced out of games. These Haligonians preferring to "follow" a favourite team/EPL team on Sky at home or in the pub.
A shrinking local player base. We had the Workshops competition. The team was talked about in every pub after Wembley. Every pub arranged trips.
Lower quality rugby across the board. SL included.
Silly Health and safety rules and regulations.
Newspaper website not good enough. Check Bradfords T&A and you'll see the difference.
No chance of promotion. No big money backer.
Not owning the ground/therefore limited matchplay revenue streams.

In all honesty, the marketing dept. have a job on their hand selling an inferior product to the unwashed at extortionate prices, and when they do have a chance to get new fans in to try out the product, the team usually always fail to deliver.

Excellent post.As an avid fan in 90s it was impossible to forsee 1200 gates at rugby at Shay.It's very close to being unfollowable anymore.

I don't think Tyrer has had the best of seasons. In all honesty, its his brilliant goalkicking that probably keeps him in the team.

So, yes, we at least need competition for places. Smeaton wasn't up for it for whatever reason.

Saltonstall and Sharp need better service. Think these two have scored more tries from crossfield kicks than good centre play.

But year on year, the talent pool available just diminishes

Jesus. Reading this I don't know if I can be d to a Fax fan!

Seriously, there are probably 5 or 6 clubs would love to be in our position, including some in the middle 8s. We have made some strong signings for next season and Richard Marshall hasn't become a bad coach over night. One thing that is for certain about RM is he learns from his mistakes and he has contacts.

We didn't make the middle 8s but we don't have winding up orders, have some good young players at the club that want to be here and some of the best part time players in the league. We've just had a poor year - it happens. We'll bounce back next year. We have to make the most of what we have and be positive cos there isn't a Beaumount type character on the horizon

Hope you're right.Who are the strong signings ? and they're maybe a Beaumont type around one day

absolutely spot on about tyrer,he wouldn't get a game if he wasn't atop goalkicker .now he has got a new contract.

Hope you're right Mr C could not see this mood coming so soon after Blackpool.

To throw a more positive note back to this thread and bring it back to subject; Danny Craven has signed for next year. Thats an exclusive. Don't ask how I know, I just do !