One inexpensive way of improving the score on the ground is to smash sections of it up rendering it unsafe and forcing the council to reduce the capacity. Then we immediately improve our score for stadium utilisation. It worked for Featherstone and Wakefield.

Indeed it will be interesting. I fear the club's narrative over the years of, " back where we belong...etc" has created an expectation we are not able to meet. I've always thought of myself as optimistic about our prospects, but my disappointment at our IMG score has shown me, i am in fact in the deluded camp. Odsal is our eternal problem and now I'm concerned we've landed ourselves with a large yearly bill, with little apparent benefit. I hope to be wrong. Regardless I'll still turn up. I just hope this IMG score doesn't hit season ticket sales.

Oh hoaw we laughed and said Hudds only stayed in SL because they had a fancy ground. It seems as though they were trailblazers. Didn't think we'd ever get to a state where relegation would be abolished in favour of having a fancy ground. That being the case we can kiss goodbye to ever getting back

INOUT

They'll get that as well, although I doubt they'll see anything for a while yet.

Like every other mad gimmick the sport throws it's entire wight behind, this grading rubbish will be dropped within 3-5 years. Once we've worked out why snooker and darts have ditched IMG after paying them exorbitant amounts of money.

You would hope so Keith but self interest rules this sport and SL clubs will fight tooth and nail to protect the status quo. Can't see them voting to expand SL or bring back P&R as it means less money or more jeopardy.

https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/ ... erm-focus/ Great read from the t and a. Certainly made me more relaxed after reading what Jason has to say. They’ve built enough trust with me over the last couple of years to back them. If it’s a case of we close the gap next year and back in the top 14, with all the arrows point towards SL expansion, then we are no worse off.

https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/ ... erm-focus/ Great read from the t and a. Certainly made me more relaxed after reading what Jason has to say. They’ve built enough trust with me over the last couple of years to back them. If it’s a case of we close the gap next year and back in the top 14, with all the arrows point towards SL expansion, then we are no worse off.

But that assumes the other clubs aren;t also improving their score. Do you seriously think the other clubs in that 12-16 bracket are just going to sit there and do nothing whilst the Bulls "overtake" them?

We're already maxed out on a few categories - the big problem is the stadium, which - at best - will meet MINIMUM requirements. Jason says it himself, we are looking to meet minimum stadium requirements. But minimum isn't going to be enough when you've got teams like York with a purpose-built all-seater facility, and even Wakefield are building brand new stands. Where is the new stand at Odsal? Even putting a roof over the popular side seems to have disappeared from the conversation...

It’s not a case of doing nothing, what if they’re maxed out in areas? Proof will be in the pudding but ultimately the stadium stuff will take us above those teams as a MINIMUM. Performance will/should improve, finances and fandom maybe further. I don’t see a cause for concern, club is on a decent financial footing and has a squad to compete. We’ve been in FAR worse positions

It's a decent interview and it's good feedback from Jason Hirst. They're doing all they can but there are certain things outside their control (we're lumbered with Odsal as it's the only place available we can afford). It would be good to have a fans forum where he can perhaps explain it in a bit more detail, judging by comments on Facebook many of the fan base haven't got a clue and they'll need to be brought up to speed if they are to stay on board. We need to be realistic that SL isn't happening for sometime yet (if ever IMO) but we'll continue to try to jump through the hoops.

If Hirst and the co-owners can deliver gradual improvement then I will keep turning up and putting my money into the club. I fully expect the pillars will be tweaked and goal posts moved after this round, whether that will be to our benefit or detriment remains to be seen. In the meantime we have the makings of a great looking squad for 2025 and I have bought a season ticket for the first time in the last ten years. I hope others give the club a chance because there will be no quick fix but I remain optimistic that we will get a shot at SL in the next 5 years if we continue on a similar path.