We've had the Keyes to Fax rumours before haven't we? Came to nothing. I don't expect him to be going there given the improvement he's brought to the team.

There's a lot going on with the Bulls at the moment that could affect next year's budget. Get a better Odsal deal or play somewhere without that millstone and things are looking up, especially with the much increased central distribution money. However if we stay as we are then we might just be treading water. As for Fax they have to plan for receiving much less money next year.

I believe the fans at Fax are in for a bit of a rude awakening in the next 12 months and they'll more likely looking to their reserves next year and not to Odsal or anywhere else. Their garden's about as rosy as ours.

Even with the CC money they aren't going to be able to replace any players leaving with any 'stars'. Which for me is sad, I have a soft spot for Fax thanks to the teachers at our school that were dyed in the wool fax fans.

I also don't mind Fax despite some of the nutters among their fans who really can't cope with our continued existence.

I've never understood one clubs fans having a problem with another club existing - we have our fair share too, but the proximity of Rugby League's teams is one of things that makes the game so great, and is somewhat lost in the expansionist era. It may be why I'm enjoying the Championship so much!

I still remember those trips to Thrum Hall in the late 70's and well into the 80's - Halifax were a formidable team, and that intimidating atmosphere has stayed with me to this day, you knew you'd earned 2 points, and not many teams did....

I used to enjoy my trips to Thrum Hall. Standing in the ankle deep pi55 in the gents under the shed on halfway. Or the mouldy drainpipe that served as a urinal under the main stand. Those Fax snowflakes that complain about Odsal are obviously Johnny-come-latelys who never sampled the luxury facilities of Thrum Hall.

Joking apart it was a great atmosphere and a great ground. Winning there in the mid/late 80s was always tough especially when they had the decent Aussies like Eadie, Anderson and Co. Those were good days when you could see some special imports made up of those on their way up like Bella, Langmack and Folkes and those that had come over to finish like Eadie.

It seems one has signed for us so far. There’s going to be cost cutting measures for a lot of clubs the next couple of seasons with the reduced funding.

Given our predicament with the ground we might also need to make some savings. I hope we hang onto Keyes, who has a year left as fulltime with us.

Go on then, enlighten us. Who is it?

It's going to be one of the players ooc at the end of this season. Unless there's a massive change of plan at Fax, it'll be one of our part time players, or possibly a full time player wanting to become p/t - but that would be rarer.
So - p/t players who are out of contract - Garside?, Kirk? A few wingers - Foggin-Johnson, Ricketts, Grant? Were they all p/t?

Out of those you mention I hope Kirk stays. Garside has been a bit up and down in form. He was good last weekend but poor versus Swinton.

Of the wingers I'd say DFJ is the best.

Garside basically announced in the press today. Can't say I know much about him to be honest and there could still be another we take from you lot yet.

Been a bit in and out of the team this year. He's a good solid championship player (I don't mean that in a bad way) . He's a teacher and so is PT and you do get value for money. Forced his way into the side again recently. I would have kept him but when everyone's fit and firing he's probably behind Webster, Farrell and young Storton for the SR position. But I'd say it's a decent signing for you guys.

He had a bit of a lull in form this year. On his day he's very decent. Was my man of the match yesterday.

You can see who else is OOC on the squad thread. Lots of players I'd like to keep.

Read a snapshot of Chalmers Q&A in LE, says playing budget will be more or less equal to 2019s.

Anyone know how we stand with the 'signing ban', which has, apparently, prevented us from announcing even re-signs?