[quote="Jack Burton":5phyev54]Only Wakefield, Castleford, Leigh, and Hull can bid for any Salford players at the moment, but that may change after the next meeting on Wednesday.[/quote:5phyev54] How come?

[quote="Clearwing":1om2hj2u]How come?[/quote:1om2hj2u] They`re under the cap I think.

Pretty sure I read an interview with Burgess to the effect the wolfs are in the market too. Though it sounds like there may be some sort of dispensation drawn up

[quote="The Biffs Back":3pc6ns90]Whatever anyone thinks about Gary Hetherington,and that net is cast far and wide, and to fans of all SL clubs. He has the very best interests of the game in this hemisphere, both in his head and also in his heart with all of the clubs in our competition. By comparison, how many SL chairmen could be describes as being only interested in their own clubs? Personally speaking, I would love to see a very strong and successful SL club in London and if Gary can help broker that deal,then good on him[/quote:3pc6ns90] I've been to a few RL literature events, usually as part of Ilkley Lit Fest. I think I have seen GH at every one, but no other chairmen. That says everything about his passion for the game.

I know we sometimes complain about GH, but I can’t think of another person who would do a better job in administering the game overall. He’s an RL man through and through and we’ve been very lucky to have him in our camp for so many years.

https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/rugb ... s-30824440

https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/rugb ... s-30824440

Hetherington is a Rugby League obsessive, a genuine fan. He makes mistakes, of course, but his vision for the game comes from the heart, and his understanding of how hard it is for expansion clubs comes from bitter experience. I do wish he'd employ someone, anyone, who would properly proof-read his public emails and press releases though.

[quote="MjM":pe3j0fna] I do wish he'd employ someone, anyone, who would properly proof-read his public emails and press releases though.[/quote:pe3j0fna] New role for JJB?

That’s funnier than what he wrote…

[quote="Clearwing":2uyix8r9]New role for JJB?[/quote:2uyix8r9] At one of the Ilkley Lit Fest RL events I went to JJB was one of the speakers. He was brilliant, another RL obsessive. I don't get a lot of the stick he gets, sure it is like he is trying to learn a new language, that only contains long words, but there are far worse things in life.

[quote="tigertot":1bqpqj7b]At one of the Ilkley Lit Fest RL events I went to JJB was one of the speakers. He was brilliant, another RL obsessive. I don't get a lot of the stick he gets, sure it is like he is trying to learn a new language, that only contains long words, but there are far worse things in life.[/quote:1bqpqj7b] It's easy to understand why. A huge amount of RL fans hate their own players, administrators and club personalities, and love nothing more than to slag them off for almost no reason. Part of the reason the game won't grow when it's own fans are so grumpy.

It's the inbuilt inferiority complex and lack of self esteem that RL has. Anyone that appears to be "getting on" is criticised.

[quote="Bullseye":l0ptxben]It's the inbuilt inferiority complex and lack of self esteem that RL has. Anyone that appears to be "getting on" is criticised.[/quote:l0ptxben] Don't be coming on here getting fancy with your middle-class, goji berry-eating, woke psychology.

[quote="tigertot":3rut07ap]At one of the Ilkley Lit Fest RL events I went to JJB was one of the speakers. He was brilliant, another RL obsessive. I don't get a lot of the stick he gets, sure it is like he is trying to learn a new language, that only contains long words, but there are far worse things in life.[/quote:3rut07ap] Gentle mick take of a bloke with a great sense of humour, apols if it came across as anything darker.

It didn't, we knew what you meant and it was funny.

[quote="Clearwing":1tm77nub]Gentle mick take of a bloke with a great sense of humour, apols if it came across as anything darker.[/quote:1tm77nub] Not at all, I didn't read it as anything other than a humorous joke. It would be great to be a fly on the wall in business meetings should the situation arise.

I've nothing but positives to say about Gary Hetherington. Might be past his use by date as thr head of a club, but as a person he's amazing. I've spoken to him on a number of occasions about support for fund raisers and he's nothing but supportive. And you always feel like he remembers you. A great human being at a time when there's doesn't seem to be a lot of them around

I’ve been really busy with work etc so not had chance to catch up with my source until yesterday. So Blease & Hetherington are really pushing to sign Watkins but it all depends on dispensation on the cap as we have no wriggle room at all apparently which is a bit of a shock considering we’ve released 10 players and only brought in 5 signings however I think this shows that a fair chunk of our squad is on top money and some probably overpaid for what they produce. If Watkins was to resign for Leeds 50k of his wage would be payed by the RFL due to being club trained. The Harvey Livett Signing seems unlikely now as Leeds are fully focusing trying to get the Watkins deal over the line. Finally injury report and it’s the usual case of us been told Jarred O’Connor- likely return between round 3-6 Alfie Edgell- no return date yet from fractured jaw Ned McCormack- knock unknown how serious Ben Littlewood- knock unknown how serious Jake Connor- knock not thought to be serious and should play this week Lachie Miller- return to play round 1-2 We’d have to have some serious rotten luck if we lost all 3 fullback options to injury.

Didn't Littlewood have surgery on his hamstring in December?

[quote="JRhino1":3o9acc5j] So Blease & Hetherington are really pushing to sign Watkins but it all depends on dispensation on the cap as we have no wriggle room at all apparently which is a bit of a shock considering we’ve released 10 players and only brought in 5 signings however I think this shows that a fair chunk of our squad is on top money and some probably overpaid for what they produce. If Watkins was to resign for Leeds 50k of his wage would be payed by the RFL due to being club trained. [/quote:3o9acc5j] Isn't the club trained dispensation capped at £100k per year, and we are already at that limit? I'm also confused about the lack of cap space. Blease has said publicly several times that we are still in the market for another signing, if the right player comes along. Is he wrong, or simply making it up?

[quote="Leeds_Luke":2mb3uz2a]Isn't the club trained dispensation capped at £100k per year, and we are already at that limit? I'm also confused about the lack of cap space. Blease has said publicly several times that we are still in the market for another signing, if the right player comes along. Is he wrong, or simply making it up?[/quote:2mb3uz2a]We may have some cap space but not enough to sign a player on a large contract such as Watkins.

[quote="JRhino1":2o79502a]I’ve been really busy with work etc so not had chance to catch up with my source until yesterday. So Blease & Hetherington are really pushing to sign Watkins but it all depends on dispensation on the cap as we have no wriggle room at all apparently which is a bit of a shock considering we’ve released 10 players and only brought in 5 signings however I think this shows that a fair chunk of our squad is on top money and some probably overpaid for what they produce. If Watkins was to resign for Leeds 50k of his wage would be payed by the RFL due to being club trained. The Harvey Livett Signing seems unlikely now as Leeds are fully focusing trying to get the Watkins deal over the line. Finally injury report and it’s the usual case of us been told Jarred O’Connor- likely return between round 3-6 Alfie Edgell- no return date yet from fractured jaw Ned McCormack- knock unknown how serious Ben Littlewood- knock unknown how serious Jake Connor- knock not thought to be serious and should play this week Lachie Miller- return to play round 1-2 We’d have to have some serious rotten luck if we lost all 3 fullback options to injury.[/quote:2o79502a] Thanks for your service, Jr. What will be, will be, with Watkins. If we pull it off, great. If not, just let Littlewood have a go and see how we get on. The S+C has been frustrating for a few years. As it's been said, we've been unfit for years, but we've also picked up knocks and injuries like nobody's business. I know Hunwicks left the club half way through last year (though the impact he had on the team in his second spell doesn't seem too impressive, unless I'm missing something) and he just seems to be replaced internally. The partnership with Leeds Met/Beckett/Poly produces some good sports scientists, but we don't seem to bear the fruits of it. Hopefully this is just down to it being an intense pre-season, and it'll ease off during the season.

Hearing that Salford will be safe and won't need to offload players

I hope that's right. That's the best outcome for the game as a whole.

[quote="Once were Loiners":2ga0puid]I hope that's right. That's the best outcome for the game as a whole.[/quote:2ga0puid] It is if it's a long term solution. If it's merely kicking the can down the road for 6 to 12 months then not so much.