There was also talk of a reserve side, which presumably would have been coached by Beattie given the number of academy players that would have been in there plus good for his own development. But no news of that, which disappoints me but I accept that plans change to fit circumstances, maybe we would have heard a lot more good news if more fans had purchased season tickets. so it could be that roles have been adjusted and Beattie has that wider responsibility with the first team not the reserves. Hopefully the reserves are simply delayed a season. The important thing for me is that Beattie is a bridge from the academy to the first team, and to me a sign that the owners are putting all the structures in place to build a solid core of our own talented lads that have played together and can develop together.

Interesting to see what two old dogs have done with two other teams, Big Sam and Roy. No guarantees, but you would expect Kear to sort the defence out and that alone will do wonders for the points tally.

In retrospect last year may have been the time not to buy a season ticket, this year the one to do so. Everything APPEARS to be much more solid off and on the pitch this season, and I am happy for a few broken promises for that to be achieved.

Is the non-mention of John Bastian in any of the press releases about the coaching set-up a good thing? Or a bad thing? Or just a thing?
I assume he remains Head of Youth development?

A broken promise is fine if what you get instead is better than initially promised.
That probably was his initial intention but getting Kear probably changed a few things and that is why I am now looking at the positives.
The negatives aren't necessarily negatives - just differences to what was said.
Is getting Kear and Beatie a negative up to say Diskin and Greenwood which would have fulfilled his so called promise?
I don't think so.
Chalmers changed his mind on what he said at the meeting but to me changed it for the better - so I am happy with that and my mate told me last night he will now get a terrace ST this Friday rather than occasional walk ups.
Everyone sees things differently

Im sure Kear mentioned his excellent work in his interview

He did.

You seem to have a thing about what you call broken promises. I'm not even sure that the statement to which you refer was a promise but even if it was then circumstances change. It seems likely that when AC made the statement that was the intention but as things unraveled then it became clear that this wasn't the best way forward. This doesn't seem to me to be a broken promise. I and I'm sure many others are happy with the eventual outcome.

Just been pointed to this, so thought I'd drop an explanation.

You're right, I do have a thing about it. Because I am sick to the back teeth of being lied to by people in charge of the club, so every little instance, really winds me up. This year, the straw has broke the camel's back, so to speak.

I agree with what's been said as it happens. Plans have clearly changed, as Martin also highlighted the reserve team which I'd forgotten about. If those plans for a new assistant were scrapped in order to get John Kear in, I even agree with changing them. I'd rather have Kear & Beattie than Diskin/Anderson/Sharp, A.N. Other and Beattie on top. Kear as I have said is a great coup and one that I would happily have plans changed for. But what would have been nice is a communication to clarify that. A simple "I know we said we were doing this, but when this opportunity arose, we changed our plans for it" would clear it up and I think everyone would be fine with it. But as usual that communication doesn't happen and instead those of us who are really down on the club at the moment (and it's something I've been vocal about), just see the negative. Arguably that is the issue of those people (including me) for being over-negative, and I accept that. But it still doesn't help to get you back into the positive lands where other people live. And it still serves to just further P.O. some long time and long suffering supporters.

I think personally I'm at a point of no return now. 30+ years of support and I'm just not feeling the love any more. Too many things have put me off and none of those things have been the players or what division they're playing in. So maybe it is my own problem and it's only me it annoys. Here's hoping for the club's sake, that it is only me and they don't lose many more fans.

Hope that clears up my point.

It’s not just you, I feel very similar. Last year really killed my love and it made me realise there is more to Sunday’s than Bradford Bulls. I didn’t have a season ticket for the 1st time since forever and I had no obligation to just turn up because I’d already paid. Consequently I found other things to do and I really didn’t miss it. The appointment of Kear is one that caught my interest a little and once the crap whether has passed I might venture up for a few games if we’re playing some decent rugby.

Well i have just bought my season ticket. On a visa i must say. Ha

Well I may regret saying it - but appointing JK may be the long overdue turning point we have all been praying for.
My patience with AC ran out a few months ago; but credit where credit is due - getting JK is an impressive coup.
JK's speech was clear - taking the (once) mighty Bulls back up to SL would look very impressive on his CV (and, in my view, put him in the Odsal hall of fame).
I have a lot of respect for JK; as a coach; and as a father supporting his son playing the other code - he's a genuinely decent bloke. COYB

I understand why a few are feeling negative and have found other things to do.
I myself stopped going for a few years due to working away and the appalling way the club was run. I didn't go to games and go on forums.
I started again and am now really enthusiastic about the future as I also think Chalmers has pulled one out of the hat here with Kear - but Chalmers still has his communication problems - but I also know many other people who are cr*p at communicating but are good at their job.

My advice to those few who are not going any more and are totally pi88ed off - and I am really not trying to be nasty here, but try taking a total break from any forum or anything to do with the club and take a break and see if your enthusiasm returns. Take a year off otherwise all you do is argue and accuse others all of the time. Is it worth it?
If and hopefully when things actually start getting better then come back and enjoy being a fan again. Again, I say this in in good nature and not as a wind up. Fans can be negative at times but when it gets to negativity 100% of the time maybe a vacation is due.

Having previously said on another thread that after many years as a season ticket holder, I was not renewing this time, I have gone and bought one on the back of the best bit of news we have had in 5 years - recruited a coach who gets the very best out of his players.

I am now genuinely hopeful (if not totally confident) we have hit absolute bottom and the only way is up.

Or to put it another way.....Toovey couldn`t polish a t??d but maybe Kear can make silk purses out of a sows ears....

Good man. That's what this is all about. As a long time supporter who has followed from afar for more than 25 years, I really do believe that YOU the supporters of the Bulls (Northern) are the lifeblood. You will help bring it back to where it was in the late 40s, the early 80s and the SL era. YOU will make the difference. The SL era will come back if you have faith and do what you do do best. Support the club.
As a Bradford lad I know we are often glass half or even three quarters empty, BUT looking at the England (and BBC) set up three weeks ago tells me that is wrong. Bradford IS RL. Keep the faith please. (Burgess, Burgess, Bateman, Whitehead, Gale, Noble, Anderson, Paul,

John Kear will give it everything and do well medium term. He is likely to be successful in getting the Bulls back into Championship and maybe even SL. (Maybe). Personally I think that will take a younger coach with more energy and more money, but for now he IS the man. BACK him. BACK your club. The good times and money will come back when you do. Have faith. Please.

You are correct in only one way. You are narrow minded.

No He's not a lot of Bulls fan will feel that way even now, with the Tribunal hanging over the Club, that could also impinge on getting one or two better players because of the fiscal implications if the Club has to pay out!
We are at the edge of the Woods but not clear of them yet!