The most frustrating thing is I only really find out through here as I don’t subscribe to other media platforms. Listen up 94, what’s kicking off?

A

A bit off thread. I have been looking at the league tables when I first started watching Fax in1977/78 season and then looked at the 1980s. We had two divisions Div 1 had 16 teams Div 2 had 14 teams sometimes up to 18 with new admissions. 4 teams were promoted and relegated respectively. I happily see that system again.

So far apart from those already contracted beyond 2024 the confirmed and rumours are 2 leaving for Bradford and 1 for Widnes with incomings at 3 or 4 from Dewsbury, 1 from Sheffield, 1 from Whitehaven and 1 from Huddersfield ( subject to staying up ) 3 or 4 re-signings.

And it used to be very competitive. Fax narrowly failed to stay up in the early 80s following a late season defeat at Barrow, but we mixed it with the best, going to the likes of Widnes and giving them a real game. One of the most brutal games I ever saw!

In those days all teams were part time so there was more parity. But Wigan ruined it all by becoming the only full time club and ruining RL for several years with their dominance. Full time SL has done nothing to enhance the entertainment, if anything it's less attractive to watch and it's created an unbridgeable gap between 1st and 2nd tier unless of course the likes of Wakey, Leigh and Toronto become the only full timers trashing the Championship in the process.

Just going to be starting a few games with less numbers available than before, Will and Douglas out for the season, Andy O knee a few weeks, Kev knee, Widdop hamstring Bob 3 game ban and Zack 7 more remaining.
To call on we have Tibbs in the backs, Hursey ( who it looks like Finn doesn’t rate or use much and similar with Olly Davies who looks like he’s gone for good ) leaving Matty Gee to come back in for the pack, young Hird the signing from Sheffield and the rest are young Leeds lads.