Didn't someone put on here all players had been signed for next season and players already resigned who we wanted to keep only 2 refused

I wonder if the contracts not being ratified are to do with this sending the RFL our budget rule.

I don't know if it's just ourselves who have to do it or all of the championship. Chalmers did say in LE that we had submitted 2020s budget to the RFL this week and were waiting for it to be signed off. So hopefully it's just a case of that.

Actually quite impressed if that's what the RFL are doing, as others have said they will be no 4th chance regarding admin, so it's good they're not letting us spend on players we've not budgeted for unless we can prove we can fund it.

Going to Newcastle Thunder according to yesterdays League Express

Just need to sit tight and hope all turns out ok. There's precious little else we can do.

Wouldn't be a particularly interesting forum if we did that!!

Are we sure this isn't just people getting their wires crossed?

The news about the RFL blocking our signings was for THIS year, not for 2020.
John Kear mentioned in a recent article that the uncertainty over the stadium meant that the 2020 budget couldn't be finalised and so contracts couldn't be offered/renewed etc.

I think somehow people have got these two stories twisted and think that the RFL are blocking us from signing anyone up for next season. Unless someone can give me some serious proof otherwise, I don't think this is the case.

Presumably the budget can't be OK'ed then until the decision on the ground has been finalised. Also interesting that AC has gone back to NZ. Wonder if his return is conditional on the RFL ratifying our move.

I was under the impression that Chalmers regularly travels back and forth to NZ so that isn’t anything out of the ordinary?

Interesting that the RFL are in control of checking budgets... are they currently running at a surplus themselves?

It is an enigma isn't it. Why would our owner who is from New Zealand, and has friends, family and business interests in New Zealand, EVER need to go over to New Zealand? I think it is incredibly sinister.

You would expect him to be here in person when we make announcements like when we leave the ground we've been at for 80 odd years or when staff are potentially being laid off. It's not a good look for him to be away IMO. I've no idea why he needs to be away or where he is. He may have perfectly good reasons. Just hope he's not doing what Green did who was holed up in Ibiza like Ray Winstone in Sexy Beast.

Mind you he left the head coach interviews to other so I suppose he has a track record in this area.

Get your point. Think he might have delayed mentioning the move to Dewsbury until he got back though.

The RFL blocking one of our signings was actually strongly denied by Chalmers. Due to the amount of friends he has in the media, I don't think some of them would have let that drop if it turned out to be the case we had had a signing blocked.

Chalmers has plenty of business interests in NZ too. I believe he leaves the running of the club to Russ Mcfarlane when out of the country. Is this any different than plenty of other teams who have someone running club when owners aren't around?

Stuart Duffy said on Facebook that the club had a signing block put on them earlier this season. As Football Manager I guess he'd know. He mentioned how Widnes had a similar issue. I have no idea whether the block remains in place.

Given that we haven't announced a single new contract for an existing player or any new player since Joe Brown signed and other clubs are making moves it suggests to me something is up.

Why would the club hold back on news about signings/re-signings and instead be talking about car park passes and minor backroom team vacancies? Is there some communications masterplan at work to get you to buy a season ticket by luring you with a car park pass ticket too?

I don't know, is it?

What are his other business interests in NZ?

Even if he does have other interests to attend to in person and it is common practice to delegate it still isn't a good look to be away this week of all weeks.