I should say that I spent an afternoon at work a couple of years ago doing a comparison of the finances of various clubs for their 2011 financial statements so do have some info. To highlight the strength of Hetherington's club:

Leeds' turnover was more than St Helens and Wigan's combined.

Leeds' cash at bank was more than the rest of the league combined.

Only three clubs had any sort of strong fixed asset base (more than £3m), those three clubs who have invested millions in stadia they own: Leeds, St Helens and Warrington at £19.8m, £30.9m, and £15.1m respectively. Saints and Wire have a lot to be thankful to McManus and Moran for.

the way they operate they never will

By way of comparison, Wire reached a final last year and posted a profit of only £18k More details viewtopic.php?f=21&t=573139&tsmp=1408022314

By way of comparison, Wire reached a final last year and posted a profit of only £18k More details viewtopic.php?f=21&t=573139&tsmp=1408022314

The question is how many clubs would survive if their benefactors pulled out.

There wouldn't be much of a competition left if that happened, or if Sky reduce it's funding.

how does rlfc owe rufc & how does caddick owe leeds so much

The only figures I'd be interested in seeing are how far under the permitted salary cap Leeds operate at and how little they spend on coaching generally and the head-coaching position in particular.

And if you were to learn the figures you allude to, would you finally admit what a wonderful job the board, the coach and the players have done to best those high spending other clubs with overpaid players and coaches?

Which year/season were these financial results for?

If Leeds had achieved all they set out to achieve (in 2013) and done so while also making a healthy profit then they might well be justified in receiving the plaudits you appear wishing to bestow - if on the other hand the club fell short in reaching one, two, three or even all their playing targets and just perhaps for the sake of an extra quality signing or two or even the leadership of a high quality (but not so cheap) coaching staff then the congratulatory back-slapping should be replaced by a question of 'what if ?'

Hopefully in their minds if not in yours.

I get the feeling that TVOC appreciated the approach to running the club taken by the previous owners who left no stone unturned or no sum unborrowed in their quest to win everything they possibly could.

TVOC's glass has remained half empty during the most illustrious period in the clubs entire history, under the present regime's guidance. Makes me feel a bit sad for the old statto because whilst he shares much of the negativity of the doom mongers on here he possesses many more brain cells.

Can always count on someone on here to turn what should be a big positive into a negative...

It's a cultural thing. Filtering down from the very top to the playing staff. Have a think back to sinfield's comments after the 2009 grand final.

You have to applaud the board at Leeds this is still an excellent performance.

TVOC raises an interesting point as to what the priorities of a sporting club should be and how you balance trophy winning with financial prudence.

Newcastle Utd are an example of where the board have accepted they cannot compete with the top sides - or the board are not prepared to risk spending the money to try and compete. It shows the power of soccer that Newcastle can get 50k a game for accepted mediocrity.