I though it was a really good, positive night (with one or two exceptions but what would the world be like if nobody was cynical or negative!)

I thought the board where as honest as they could be, even with some of the more... leading... questions about the future financial expenditure by the club. There are obviously things in the pipeline, some of which was eluded to in detail, some of which was hinted at, which sounds quite promising for the coming season and beyond.

The big issue is still obviously the stadium and unfortunately the fact that the council are involved and they have recently changed along with the cuts they're going to have to make it still leaves it on a knife edge. Hood quite rightly didn't rule out a move to VP which, although it seemed to ire some fans, had to be the correct answer as if OSV falls through and our place in SL depends on moving the fans would be the first to point out that in the forum in August 2010 he said...

Quite excited to see who the club get through the door on the signings front as several times the panel eluded to some exciting additions to the squad we'd have next year, although obviously no steps have been made towards this as it's not 1st September yet...

Is he a real person? I assumed he was an internet persona.

Has anyone met him? What does he look like?

Since he has been telling folk about the forum on TotalRL - albeit not a lot that had not already been said on here - I've asked on there where was he sat and to whom did he speak - since various folk were looking out for him. Unless Blotto is Mick in disguise, that bit about the refs must have been when Mick went to the toilet...

I thought the seating arrangement a bit bizzare for this type of event, it was OK for the BullBuilder Quiz night but I'd have been happier without the tables, as at earlier forums. Maybe the board under estimated the popularity of the event

They clearly very much underestimated the popularity - as was witnessed by them having to open up the rest of the floor and set chairs etc at short order.

And you surely cannot blame them? The format worked Ok for the previous forum, and given the decline on the terraces they can surely be forgiven for assuming similar at the forum? As it is, I suspect they were both amazed and a bit humbled at the turnout. I was staggered at it,and found it very uplifting that so many people still care.

I think what's happened is that the hard core support (most of us on here) have seen and felt the decline on the terraces and experience that personally and that this is being translated in to a desire to do something positive and to engage to turn it around - that's a very positive outcome and bodes well. Bullbuilder is the most obvious and public expression of this but I've also seen lots of other little initiatives - e.g. a friend of ours from a local car club arranged the drive around/procession for the Salford match in the absence of Bullman's parade. I've also talked to other people who are beginning to think about player sponsorship next year to show their supports having heard about the famous (!) RAB sponsorship of the Burgii. So hopefully given the turn out last night, a new manager and the full cap to spend, plus Bullbuilder and volunteering efforts, we could begin to reclaim the idea of the people's club. Or perhaps I'm being too optimistic, I am going on holiday tomorrow, so I have an excuse

Think most has been covered.

Stand outs for me:

- A strong hint (without saying anything specific) that the club expect to see a much strong playing staff next year.
- The financial trough has been bottomed out and we should "come out of the recession like a train" (given the crowds don't drop too far)
- I see a much better club - fan relationship developing - primarily through BullBuilder.

Lastly - the doom & gloom guy at the end - can anyone confirm / deny if ME was there last night?

Wrong accent, and the guy was far too positive.

Some points that I found worthy of note:

Hood confirmed that the club was spending full salary cap 2006-2009 and only this year has the full cap not been spent. Player recruitment has always been 100% in the hands of the head coach and that remains the case for Potter. It rather begs the question of whether McNamara would know a decent player if he fell over one - if you believe that we were operating at full cap.

A number of new signings can be expected to be announced after the 1 Sept deadline, albeit not all at once. All recruitment decisions are made by the head coach.

Potter ok'd the contract extensions of LSH and Geoff Evans. He was fully consulted. LSH worked with Potter's assistant Purtill for 3 years so he will know his capabilities. Also Evans was head conditioner at Saints recently so this too would weigh in his favour.

Certain extraordinary costs that the club have had to cope with will all be paid come 2012, nudge, nudge, wink, wink.

When asked with hindsight whether it was a good idea to give McNamara such a long contract Hood replied that there were a lot of things to consider at the time. He emphasised that Potter's been given a 2 year deal. That was quite revealing.

When asked why the team appeared at times not to be fit or looking interested Paul Medley made two points. The first was that on a number of occasions there have been only be half a dozen players actually fit to train in the week before a game. The rest may only be fit a day or two beforehand and often players need a needle in order to take part. Second, at the moment many of the kids aren't quite at the level where they can fill in for 1st teamers though that should come in the next year or two.

The bloke at the end asked why if the juniors are so good why they aren't top of the tables in the U20s and Academy. Medley said that the club's aim is to produce 1st teamers not to win competitions at lower levels. Many U20s are now in the 1st team which causes U20s to rely on under-age lads. This has an impact on results at that level. Stepping up to U20s can be a big step from Academy as you can often end up playing against 1st teamers. For example Paleassina has played for Wigan U20s this season. The Burgess brothers initially struggled with the step up to U20s so the coaching staff have been reluctant to have them step up a struggling first team until they're sure they're ready.

Southernwood was signed with an eye on the future. His selection this season was seen as mainly a shock tactic as the opposition won't have prepared for him. He is still learning the club defensive and attacking systems (this got an ironic laugh). Also he needs to develop physically and he apparently didn't get much of this at Wakey. The club has a duty of care and will not putting him at undue risk. He is significantly younger and smaller than e.g. Tomkins or McGuire when they debuted.

All in all it was a useful evening. I was impressed with the turnout. The key really to turn things around would look to be a better showing by the first team in 2011. With a decent coach in charge, some new signings, the full cap spent and a number of kids blooded should see us do better. The top 4 aim and cup run remains (Hood acknowledged that this season was a failure, albeit not helped by McNamara being distracted by the England job and injuries to key players.)

I was stood at the back wall to the left of the stage and when we heard the ref question, me and my mate rushed to look round the corner hoping to glimpse the legend but alas no.....

Indeed. I could never understand why the McNamara apologists persisted in defending him for so long given the statements about a full cap being available. Some of his recruitment would be comprehensible if Bradford were not operating under a full cap, but otherwise, signings (and repeated selections when past it) like Finnegan, McAvoy, Feather, Worrincy, Sculthorpe, Jefferies, Tupou, Sheriffe, Platt, Halley, Reardon, Deacon, Rinaldi, Hawkyard have mostly been average at best. Even solid players like Godwin, Sykes and Nero didn't seem to improve much under his tenure, or went down hill dramatically like Solomona, Newton, and now it seems Hall. Clubs like Leeds, Saints and even Warrington have tended not to go for these sorts of players (or at least in such numbers).

Very good and accurate summary of some of the most interesting points arising there from Sam above - defo a "highlights" list there. There was plenty more like that - don't anyone come on here now and say the club is refusing to engage with the fans?

Mick is real, good lad too.