He says we can "sign Iestyn without fear of reproach. What could possibly go wrong? We're the Bulls, it's not like we're gonna end up paying through the nose for it, and even if we do our expected 20K+ crowds will fund it. You watch Rodders, this time next year..."

We're pretty much in the same old situation as we have been for about a million years (or feels like it). Nobody has a clue what we'll be doing or where we'll be playing, although the Fat Lady insists we're down in the 3rd Div.; this means without any more, you have the devil's own job to sensibly plan a squad, let alone convince any half decent players to stay, much less sign; and add to the the standard financial Sword of Damocles (this time round, it's the Tribunal claim that could see us sorely screwed and won't be known what happens till, is it January?) - and whatever happens, will by then have made a huge lawyer-sized gaping hole in the budgets.

And in terms of cashflow, I'd guess that the present season and the uncertainty around 2018 would severely hamper any season ticket sales, even if they were reasonably priced, but apparently it's gonna be "same again" which will make the most hardened of fan seriously doubt if it's worth it. My "same again" IIRC would be a total of £370, which I'd be handing over while watching the likes of Bentley, Ryan, Toovey, Oledzki, Lilley and others walking out the door, as the likes of Hemel, Coventry and Gloucsestershire sneak in, in a minibus. And worrying whether a disastrous Tribunal result might not bring the whole thing crumbling down yet again.

I also can't see next season being a good one anyway, even if we surmount these obstacles. Even Toronto, with all their moneymen, attractiveness, big salaries and squad of ex-SL players have hardly had it all their own way in this league and there are plenty of grizzled time-served outfits relishing a tasty fixture against the new kids (literally) on the block. Certainly we'll be no Toronto, to say the least. And the galling thing is, this season, we could have been very competitive in that league.

The last sentence is exactly right, imo. Away support is a [ibonus[/i - it isn't and should never be [ivital[/i and any club that treats it as such is likely to be in trouble.

I'd certainly agree that, the way things are shaping up, the bonuses (or vital income) are going to be thin on the ground in the championship next season, but all the more reason to put your own, home grown, income and expenditure in order.

I think your figure of 1000 away fans for each game is pie in the sky to be honest, after all, it's only recently that former SL clubs with larger away followings have been in this division and before that they only got the usual meagre amounts (couple of hundred, maybe?) from the traditional championship clubs. Clubs would have been lucky lucky to get much over 1000 for a season, and, let's face it, many don't even get as many as 1000 for their home attendances in total.

Clubs need to target [ieach and every one [/iof their home fixtures, and stop worrying about away fans, it's up to then to get their own support out and maximise income.

I remember thinking to myself at full time against Sheff in the shield final last year god that was a $hit season, could it get any worse?

It seems it has massively, I wonder if 2018 is the start of a gradual rise?
As always the total vacuum with regards to what is actually happening is the most frustrating thing.
I wonder if the club realise they have to put some sort of effort in to get people to buy into what they are doing?

It’s difficult to know for sure whether the lack of news coming out of the club about 2018 is down to uncertainty about what division we’re in or the fixtures we’ll have or whether it’s down to what we know is Chalmers reluctance to communicate at all. Could well be both. Doesn't matter - the effect is the same - disillusionment.

Personally my view chimes with that of FA. As things stand we’re in C1. Realistically we’re going to have a poorer squad than this year (certainly worse than Toronto this year) so we’re certainly not going to be romping to promotion. Think about it, most of our better players will get better offers or be returning to their parent clubs. We’re unlikely to have a coach in place that can attract players that can get us promotion. We may have an illustrious history but this doesn’t pay wages. We're part time - but unless we're willing to pay more than current PT clubs we're not going to attract any of their players. The best PT players are in the Championship. Will they want to drop to C1?

We’re going to be struggling with the Keighleys and Hunslets and Workingtons. A part time club, just like them on a similar budget and with similar standard players. That is not a recipe to get big crowds or sponsorship. It's a tipping point for me. My loyalty isn't unconditional. I may go to the odd game but that's it. As for the rest of my family they've long since found better things to do. We're not alone.

With that in mind there is zero chance of getting 2-3k season ticket holders as has been mooted. Even if Chalmers manages to bring in some new sponsors and cuts costs this is only going to plug the hole for a year or so. Costs can only be cut once and sponsors won’t be wanting to put money into a club that plays in front of a few hundred and can’t spell it’s media releases properly. We know how this ends.

This club won’t survive beyond the end of 2019 at the longest IMO. It may all end before that if the Tribunal next year forces another meltdown.

I refuse to put any effort into pie in the sky conspiracy theories. We are not too big to fail. Recent evidence shows that.

Can anyone provide any reason for optimism?

I fear the silence in response to that might be deafening.

I'm waiting for whatever the announcement will be from the RFL for league1 (there clearly is some clarification coming at some point) after the season end before I think too much about any of this yet.

No

don't panic. Frank and Mick will be along soon to spread more bullsh#t about millionaire owners waiting in wings and us being parachuted straight into SL in a shiny new stadium. Even RER's stopped spreading his rumour know. Past caring at this stage. No dourbt i'll get reeled in again once something positive starts to come out of odsal but at moment silence is deafening.

I'm having a completely rugby league free 2018. Bulls, SL, Cup, internationals, forums, scores. Stepping away from them all. I've just had enough.

Sadly, I don't think you will be the only one.

I'm awaiting the outcome of the impending court case, and see how/if/why it affects the Bulls before even thinking about going next season. I'm pretty burned out by all of these shenanigans.

Lets see what the special news is!!!!!!!!!

Well it wasn't a let down. Ross Oakes and Liam Kirk signed until 2019. Brilliant brilliant news. Much needed lift.

Very good news.