Are you able to back that statement up with specific facts regarding posters criticising McManus?

yes I have to agree with you, early in the season when it got tough with all the injuries unlike last year the team kept playing and winning including when we only had 18 fit players to choose from, and now we are almost back to full strength they are still winning, so quite rightly we would be 6th without the points deduction. And its strange, success on the pitch does breed success on the terraces.

So even in the early part of the season this squad were showing they had the right attitude and were not going to give anything up.

Yeah, ok. [urlhttp://m.rlfans.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=532155&start=1191[/url

Dear mods please don't ban this clown he is (probably unintentionally) very amusing

The full text of McManus's missive is extraordinary in its scope.
Inter Alia other points - In a major respect he has broken ranks, with the privacy normally adhered to by Super League Chairman, in saying
"Certainly, not too much store should be placed on the individual views of other Super League clubs as there are glaring conflicts here with some clubs being interested in their players and even their spectators and sponsors

Indeed BMU. And I am sure I am not the only one to feel that caveat, quoted by VanGinger above, may be pretty key to his massive endorsement today?

It has been pretty widely reported that Gary Hetherington has apparently been a big supporter of us behind the scenes, and that certain other chairmen, such as Mr Lenaghan, have likewise been supporters. The general view has been that some other clubs have been rather the opposite, and Mr McManus alluded to that in his statement as well as implying one reason why that might be. Mr McManus has, until now and rightly or wrongly, not been reported as being amongst our strongest supporters. If that is indeed so, then I suggest his statement today - his ringing, soaring, emphatic endorsement in fact, subject to his key caveat - surely has to be seen as very significant?

One day, I think - I hope - it will come out what has been going on behind the scenes, and just why the RFL and various other parties have acted as they have. And then, I would not be at all surprised if we find that we see method where hitherto many saw only madness. I also have a feeling that, in years to come, Mr McManus' statement today may well come to be seen as a significant development indeed.

I can only pray that I am on the right lines.

That can only be, by dint of geography, Leeds, Hudds, Wakey and less likely, Cas.

If it was Leeds it would be a shock. And he says club*s* - is he implying that despite their gesture of this past weekend, Huddersfield are the club after our sponsors and fans?

Surely all clubs are chasing everybody elses fans and sponsors all the time?

Fairly certain I've seen SL club adverts in the likes of Leigh,Swinton,Fax,Batley,Dewsbury,Fev,Keighley, so whats the difference?

The difference is that while fans have a whinge about it happily, it is unusual to see a senior official from a club criticise the dealings of other clubs which do not directly affect his club. It's also pretty off-message from the previous RFL/SL line.

Well considering we would assume Saints arent chasing Bulls fans and sponsors, then other clubs gaining from a possible Bulls demise would adversly affect Saints

Might as well have put 'because Saints always beat Bulls in cup finals'...