The Pennine ARLFC League is arguably one of the strongest amateur leagues in the country, yet I keep reading Bradford doesn't have the service area that Leeds does?

I would hazard there are more amateur clubs, with a decent youth set up, within a 5 minute drive from Odsal than there are from Headingley.

Gibson wasn't up to the required standard at Leeds after his injury problems as was evident from his 2009 appearances, a view seemingly supported by McClennan's selections. I wish him well at Salford.

Watkins wasn't ready to being over-exposed at 1st grade level in 2009, a view seemingly supported by McClennan's selections. I still think (as I've stated all along) that he is Senior's heir apparant over the course of the 2010 season if he continues to develope, keeps his feet on the ground and works on his game.

Delaney is Toopi's replacement at right centre and was a position Leeds needed to address sooner or later. I'll reserve judgement until I've seen him play unlike some.

Having signed him I would have not retained Donald, stayed within the spirit of the RFL's overseas trained quotas, saved the club some money and promoted one of Jones-Bishop/Broughton (or a combination of both) into the 1st grade squad for 2010.

I actual support the Academy players but they have to earn their chance and keep earning their place once given their chance.

Most of the clubs in that league are outside the Bradford service area

A five minute drive from Odsal takes you into the Halifax service area in one direction and the Hudders one in the other. A ten minute drive from Odsal takes you into the Leeds service area.

HTH.

Deacon to Wigan now confirmed.
rlhttp://www.wiganwarriors.com/news_full.asp?newsid

McNamara removing a potential threat to his coaching position?

Looks like Bull-man and Bull-boy will be next then!

You are correct and actually 2 good set ups nearby, 1 across the car park (west Bowling)and other half a mile up road (wibsey) both have juniors at every age group.
As for Pennine league I play in it and only the premier and few teams in 1st are decent to be honest.

we would have been better placed dropping Donald and promoting Jones-bishop, Broughton, and Watkins to the wing and blooding them their than not signing Delany and hoping Watkins or Gibson could come through for a whole season imo

I think we have a much stronger squad this season than last

Watkins and Jones Bishop are not wingers and Broughton has looked anything but the part at Hull most of the time.

Personally, I'd have been happy had we not signed Delaney and played Watkins in the right centre until Senior retired. Or even Broughton. But most on here wouldn't. It wouldn't have taken long before they were baying for blood and calling for signings from the NRL.

Watkins' best performances at 1st grade level have probably been on the wing and Jones-Bishop's only appearance in 2009 was in that position. Watkins was even touted on here as deserving to keep the position at Donald's expence at one point last season by you.

Nice selective criteria there. The Super League criteria never mentions non England qualified players, and if it did Leeds would only have 6 and Wigan would have 8.

lauititi,donald,buderus,webb,kylie,delaney,eastwood

which of those 7 qualifies for england then?

genuine question

Kylie, she's an institution now in our country!