It is true - Basil treated Mathers in a disgraceful manner !! He did not give Richie a "chance" & made it clear that he had to go & Richie was not allowed to Train with the first team !!

I can vouch for it. I asked RW face to face in front of many others at a CTSC meeting at the beginning of this year, and RW took about 10 mins to confirm that Mathers basically did not feature in IM's plans. Owen was IM's preferred fullback, and the club did not have need for an additional 'spare' specialist fullback so it was decided that he would be put out on loan. Prior to which Mathers was allowed to take part in fitness training sessions but was excluded from tactical training (wouldn't have missed much there from what we've seen).

Yes. I was there. And can confirm that.

But that's not treating him "badly" at all. At the end of the day, I wouldn't want a player leaving to a rival club to know the inside outs of how I was preparing my side too ahead of the forthcoming season.

Richie was told Owen was going to be first-choice full-back. Wakefield had shown an interest so Millward gave him an option of staying but playing centre/wing effectively or going out on loan.

if you think it happened that politely then more fool you.

That is something we'll both never know. But I would state that just as I can't assume, you cannot assume. Therefore, there's no point arguing it. It's over with.

I am afraid Millward is the main reason for all this unrest. OK players will be leaving not given contracts, but that has always been the case every season, Matterson never caused this amount of hassle. Millward has come here with a very bad reputation for his aggressive behaviour and bad language, that is why he was sacked at St Helens, it is all in the public domain, read it for your selves. He has bad attitude, and I believe he is the main cause for unrest. The sooner he goes the better the club will be. Good ridance I say, he has done absolutlely nothing for the club.

I actually agree with this and whilst some of the players seem to have responded well to Millward's methods, there are clearly those that felt they had an easy ride under Matterson and are resistant to change. They're the ones causing the problems and need to be on their way.

The club wouldn't be able to afford to pay him off anyway IMO, especially with the number of fans that seem to have dropped away this season. Whilst what's happening on the field isn't particularly encouraging we have seen a few sparks of what they can do. It's what's happening off the field which is the greatest concern for me and I suspect many of those who've walked away - I'm simply struggling to see a future for the club beyond 2014 with things as they currently are.

I asked exactly the same question on our forum and got no reply.

It's only been a couple of days, perhaps he's checking his facts!

I got a response on another thread. Can't remember word for word what it was but it was basically supposition from what I recall.

I have not been impressed with milward one bit this season, we have no team spirit, no structure in attack or defence and he's making our best players want to leave, i honestly fear just how much damage he could do if he sees out his contract. If we cant afford to pay him off i personally would demote him to coaching the academy and get john kear to come be the head coach (with thornton as assistant) to the end of the year as he would be willing to come for next to nothing as he is cas through and would love the opportunity to earn a longer deal. If there's one thing that kear can do its getting a team playing for each other and turn a clubs season around.