What we actually know from what those involved have said.
1. QLT signed for Fax and he asked for the release clause as part of the deal otherwise he would have looked at other options.
2. The week following on from Blackpool interest came in for Q from SL clubs, the first named club was Salford, Castleford then became aware of this (how we don’t know) and also showed interest.
3. Q was made aware of the situation, thought about it and he chose Castleford.
4. Because of the release clause and Q deciding to activate it Fax had no choice but to let him go.
5. Regardless of whether we would have him back on some loan or DR deal the club have said we may yet see him return this is why they have said it’s the best that they could get from it.

How all this affects anything else between the 2 clubs, who knows, I presume they will know a lot more than me what is actually, factually in place.

Well, we'll never know for sure, will we ?

But have you not heard of the expression "free transfer" ?

The fact is that, if Q had a clause in the contract that he was free to accept an offer from a $uper£eague club should one come along, then no doubt that agreement would be honoured.

The notion that he "was our player therefore money has to be paid" is nonsense. What was agreed is what matters.

Has he been paid his holiday pay ? That's the important question.

We received no money from Castleford for QLT.

Aside of the fact that the release clause wouldn't work if the club could impose a transfer fee - "yes QLT you are free to go to Salford or Cas, as soon as they cough up the £500k transfer fee" - you can be fairly sure that any fee would have been heavily mentioned in the website story to try and sugar the pill.

Entertaining thread though, my favourite comment was the fella asking why oh why didn't Cas take Ian Hardman instead

I hope we didn't pay his air fare!

It's easy enough to Castleford.

Who needs QLT anyway?

Batley 18, The Mighty Fax 32

Sweeeeeeeeeet

Air fare from Sheffield ?

Just thinking, if the SL clubs set up something like a second or reserve team they might have some depth to their squads, not sure if this could ever be a thing, just throwing some wild ideas out there.

Is there any logical reason why Cas could not loan QLT back to us if not even on the bench?

It sounded like a paperwork issue. Might have been complications with him been an overseas player or something like that. At the end of the day no party is really to blame, you can't blame QLT for taking a chance or the money and you can't blame Fax for allowing that clause in a players contract as you would expect his SL chance to have passed by now. If he comes back on DR then great and if he doesnt we just carry on defying the odds.

Well RM mentioned we could well see him back so if he's not likely to play at Cas for whatever reason he could return,
certainly the club haven't ruled it out.
Apart from him the club have also stated there are funds in place to add to the squad.

Problem is at this stage of the season of who will be available as all clubs are fighting to either go to the top or avoid the drop.

The problem is that the supply of players is poor owing to bu99er all clubs running reserve grade teams.

Absolutely agree.
It used to be the odd club or two missing the odd player or two in the odd position or two.
Now it’s most clubs involving most players in most positions.

All seems a bit odd to me, mostly.