I am trying to be as unbiased as I can regarding this fine, but try as I might I can only see a very harsh punishment, particularly as it is one for a first time offender.

Before Hull FC fans start having a go, I can honestly say they are one of my favourite other teams, but the fact remains they were serial offenders, even before the disgraceful scenes after they invaded the pitch after the semi versus Leeds. Can anyone remember how much they got fined for that?

I also seem to remember they invaded the playing area in an attempt to cause trouble during a Challenge cup semi versus ourselves. Yet I never recalled them getting a fine this harsh. And as people have already said there was the disgraceful on field invasion and brawl at Hull KR, which was far worse.

Then there was the Salford fans flare throwing episode. What people have also forgotten, was that it was also a Salford fan that invaded the field of play DURING a Challenge Cup semi and actually assaulted the referee who needed medical attention, and in full view of the TV cameras. He is now of course the referee's controller.

So it appears that besieging the match officials dressing room, but not causing him any physical harm, is considered worse than actually assaulting him and causing him to require medical attention.

Trouble is with the lot that run our club, they are hardly men of steel to say the least and unfortunately have long since been regarded as a 'soft touch' by those at Red Hall.

It is probably one of the reasons why we appear to get more harshly treated at the disciplinary meetings and never appeal, whilst clubs like Hull and Leeds have appealed regularly and got them reduced, as they both of course have just done very recently.

3 year cup ban........an they never got near the refs room

I think some folk are going way over the top.
The fans weren't banging on the ref's room or trying to break it down.
They were congragated at the back of the main stand OUTSIDE.
It was aggresive understandably, we had some real dubious decisions against us. Even mother thressa would have gone of on one with the officiation of that game. Anyhow we've been punished,that should be that.

Hang on. Are you saying if I run on the pitch and punch Ganson I can become the referees controller?
Now there is a punishment that fits the crime

I think the fine is a little steep but reflects the multiple offences of throwing bottles onto the pitch and in the general direction of the Catalans players as well as verbally abusing the ref and congregating around his changing rooms in what was evidently an intimidatory manner, irrespective of the fact no-one actually assaulted him.

Had we simply been guilty of throwing bottles we may well have got away with a suspended fine and a warning.

Hopefully this will give the culprits cause to think about and regret their actions... but I wouldn't hold my breath!!

I think we have done ok at the hearing. That said, I do think it should have been points. Put it this way, none of us is out of pocket but it would hurt supporters if we lost points. My view is based on what I would think for any club, not just for us.

Hopefully we will learn from it. I hope its not a sign of the future.

What hurt me most was the news headline for rugby league referring to the poor behaviour of Castleford supporters. I live in Warrington and Im a teacher and all my kids know I support Cas. For the first time ever I felt a little ashamed to be a Cas fan - a feeling Ive never had before and hope with all ive got I never feel again.

Hope the next headline is "Cas shock Wigan."