Matt knows I was 1 of his biggest critics and we have even talked about it and I have apologised to him he told me how the fans being against him really hurt but made him more determined he then put his arm round me and patted me on the back. We really did win it with our backs against the wall well done matt

Because this is HXRLFC. Not much they do makes sense. I mean the Courier print an article with quotes from Michael Steele saying that the new salary cap changes will not effect us because we dont run any where near the salary cap limit. Next thing you know we were actually running at a special dispensation, now im sure he does a good job at the club but sometimes he really needs to make his mind up because people do remember these things.
All i know for certain is that whoever set the budget for last season took one almighty gamble with the clubs future and luckily for them Matt Calland and the players managed to somehow pull it off and basically save the club. They deserve the upmost credit from the supporters of the club.
But yes why do we need to know he has taken a paycut? For me it just dosnt look good, yes its great that he is willing to do it but its probably take a pay cut or we cant afford to keep you. Hes probably on an incentive based contact as well wherby winning the Championship should have seen him get a wage rise not a wage cut, like ive said before whoever sorted the budget for last year and signed coaches and players to these deals knowing they were unrealistic has a lot to answer for.

I took this to mean that he was providing an example to the players and negotiations ongoing with them.

Dont think they expected to lose Link Telecom, lose just about all the friendly's, to the weather, get knocked out of the Northern Rail cup at the 1st round and get booted out of the Challenge cup add to that we are now losing our major sponsor in Halifax home insurance and it does not take a genius to work out that we need to cut the wage bill and Michael Steel said that they was not budgeting for making the Grand final and wining it so they are using the same players budget they would have used had we failed to make the Grand final, Add to all this the stupid amount of money we as supposed to be paying Stanley Gene then its not shocking that the club are making cut backs but remember he wont be on the wage bill next season so thats a big saving already. What will be happening with the Prize money and the money made on merchandise (cos the made lots) I have no idea they must be saving it to secure the future of the club.

One of the big reasons I think Matt as taken a pay cut is to free money for the playing squad.

good on him

now we can afford a defence coach with the money saved!

It was also my understanding that coaches don't count on the cap - well at least they never have in the past and nothing in the RFL operational rules about coaches now counting on the cap. I think where the salary cap is mentioned in the courier report, they are on about the fact that its not just Calland who will have to take a pay cut, its the players as well.

correct. coaches dont count on the cap.

Of course, it sends out a message to say that even if other suitors offer more money, he is commited to the club so much that money means little in comparison to success and building a club from the bottom to (hopefully) SL.

People tend to forget where we were when Calland took over. The style of rugby we played was boring with players who weren't good enough. Hall did a very good job with the players he had in 2006/7 but Calland has taken us much further with Hall's help along with the rest of the coaching staff. We play argubly the best brand of rugby in the country and certainly since the days Bentley and Preston were running down the slope at Thrum Hall.

His reactions during the Grand Final show how much he cares and how passionate he is and as Pinball has alluded to, his emotions at the Liquid meeting and on Monday night were obvious how much he wants to be involved with the club. He has been through the mire this last year, he could have very easily walked away after Ostick-gate but he came back into the lions den, with a massive amount of fans calling for his head (including me) and he has answered every single one of us in the best way possible.

I'm incredibly pleased he has signed on and hopefully he will stay on for many years.

Jesus, why do you assume that the club went to the courier with this news? Someone, maybe Callands agent, told the courier that Calland had taken a pay cut and the Courier asked the club to comment.

I feel that people should get behind Matt now. He has made mistakes. but he has also got us to be the most consistant side over the past 3 years won us a Grand Final. What more do people want? The reason for me it has been announced is to show players he is willing to sacrifice himself for the good off the club and players. For some they might be willing to take a pay cut now more than ever to stay. Matts had a rough ride from us fans-sometimes with justification. However the guy has pulled things around and won us the Championship and also playing a exciting brand of Rugby. So lets get behind him and not question his or the clubs motives. Maybe some people want Anthony Farrell back?

To be fair im not sure thant many if any comments in this thread are having a go at Matt Calland. Most people will recognize that he has done what many have failed to do and bring home a trophy.He should be rewarded for that not have the club coming to him and saying we cant afford to pay you what we were ment to on the second year of your contract, never mind give you the raise that was probably due with you winning us the league, will you take a pay cut. I mean Matt wouldnt have gone to the club and asked to take one will he.

Think its good that matt has accepted this as a lot of ppl would have walked believing it to be a kick in the teeth after winning the championship. Shows great commitment and passion for the club and hopefully alot of the players will follow his lead as they have a very strong bond together. Well done matt and thanks. Lets all get behind him now and make that club bond even stronger. Up the champions!!!

I think it's the same people that have put a Championship Trophy in the cabinet. The same people (if of course you trust their word - but i doubt you do) that are keeping HXRLFC in the black. The same people that are getting sweet FA for running our beloved club.

Florry - put yourself forward to run the club. You know so much about everything you're almost God like. Go on - do it. I'll look forward to HXRLFC never putting a foot wrong.

Matt told us how much he loves Halifax RLFC and this just proves it especially in a day and age when Loyalty in sport is very rare you get footballers like Rio Ferdinand saying he is not paid enough on £100,000 a week and Michael Ballek saying he cant afford to live in London on £130,000 a week then you get people like Matt who does things for the love of the club especially after the stick he took off us all he is a rare bread and a true Champion.