A timely reminder in the TnA that we have a couple of England Academy players one of whom got MoM against Wales. I hope Mellor does hit double figures in games this season, for all the right reasons, with the other younger players getting time too

To be [slightly] more accurate, 'Early Bird' is a regular discount done every year to encourage early payment in an otherwise 'dead' period in terms of takings, and it's also done, I think, by the majority, if not all, clubs, so to describe it as something to reward people for, "Keeping faith" in an uncertain future, suggests an intention which isn't really there.

It usually ends just before the 'seat' deadline, [ie the date you have to renew if you want to be sure of keeping your old seat] though, as EB lasts for around six or more weeks I'd expect the majority to be sold at this price rather than the full price and for the club to budget accordingly. To be frank, I wouldn't think it would be a big deal to extend slightly, though as I said previously, there is a lot to be said for consistency. It would actually be interesting to know the percentages on EB and full price sales.

Compared to previous "if only sides" though I think that's weaker from Bradford - especially compared to the pryce era. As for the assertion it would be grand final challenging - it would be behind Saints, Leeds and Wigan (in a player movement free world) - also would face challenges from the likes of cas who seem to have the capability to produce plenty of youngsters

Can we get a team of what could have been, still playing?

Sykes
Atkins
Bridge
Wardle
Crookes
L Pryce

Peacock
Carlisle
G Burgess
Ferres
Whitehead
S Burgess

T Burgess
Kopczak
Bateman
Patrick

Fill in the blanks anybody, or thing of any better?

Keale Carlisle at hooker?

Good call.

Southernwood at 7? He played 2 games for us there.

Yeah, he did. But he wasn't so much 'tapped up' as just not retained, wasn't he?

Same applies to Bridge, Atkins, Patrick and Ferres :/

Yes, you're correct it does. I didn't mention them as they were mentioned further back in the thread, though it's different with Cain anyhow, as unlike the others, you can't really say that, if he were available, he would be anywhere near the standard of the current side.

Jason Crookes can also be included as an ex-junior.

Jason Crookes another good call. Scrum Half must be the only position that we haven't produced anybody of nnote recently.

Tyla Hepi released by HKR. Only 19 years old.
I was quite impressed with this kid and was surprised at them releasing him, pretty sure he won some kind of young player's award last season.
We should sign him, replace one promising 19 year old with another

He looked pretty small from what I saw of him on Tv, but was only Tv though. He was quite terrier like though.

I'd expect there must be a reason why they would 'release' a 19 year old who had just won an award?