Actually no we don't. Well, not when you consider what has actually been said.

We keep getting told - factually - that the club has no debt and that it reported about £200k profits.

What we do not get told is that because of accounts being prepared on an accruals basis, we probably (I'll not start posting proofs on here) have to make a modest profit to be straight across in cash terms. Don't get hung up on this, but read "break even" for "profit". And then can various people quit this obsession with "making profits ahead of team", because thats bollox - trust me! Clear to me the club is spending everything it is able to. As you would expect.

What we haven't been told is what 2009 is showing financially. And remember...at the Forum we were told (in answer to my question) that the downturn in attendances/recession was not a profitability concern in the short term...but it would be a cash concern. I have the verbatim words written down at home, so thats paraphrasing). I would say that accords entirely with my reading of the situation.

The key point to remember: Wire, Pies, Stains, Hudds, Leeds (although Leeds are financially secure regardless), Salford, and I think HKR and Celtic - are backed by wealthy individuals (I'm unsure about Cas and Wakey and more recently Quins, and Cats will always be supported anyway). If they have a short-term cash need, who ya gonna call? We don't have that luxury.

That means our board have to be much more careful than many. Same way as an individual who doesn't have a credit card or an overdraft facility and can't borrow any money from anyone has to be much more careful not to spend more than he can afford day-to-day than someone who can plug short-term needs by borrowing.

Its hard, if you have not been there in business, to overstate the time, effort and distraction involved in managing this situation.

Posted this to try and bring some clarity.

As regards the article, seems to me they are damned if they do and damned if they don't.

I presume that the T&A (Parker or Marshall or tealady, it matters not - at least its's not Dangerous Dave) will see from the T&A Rantaforum, here, letters, other forums, wherever, that fans are pretty concerned. They will know as well as the rest of us that we have loads of outs and bugger-all ins so far. So one presumes they rang Hood for his comments. Its pretty clear the article reflects an interview with him, since it quotes his comments.

What is surely clear (Sam, tell me if I am wrong?) is that this is NOT a club press release (if it was, the article would be worded differently and we'd see the content on the Bulls site?). And therefore it reflects the editing and any spin of the T&A. Suggest folk bear this in mind when treating this as an official club announcement?

Had Hood declined to be interviewed, can you imagine the furore on here in response to "Chairman Peter Hood refused to comment..."?

But he may well not be in a position to say things yet which might give more comfort, and through choice would keep his own counsel until he can say something more positive without fear of it not happening - look at the Bird debacle as an example?

I'm speculating, but it does just seem to me that whatever the guy does he'll be damned on here.

And yes, I'm as concerned as the next man too. But I try to be realistic and adult about the situation.

Thats you banned from here Then!

I'm sure this wasn't a press release from the club but if ever there was a time for positive press releases it's now, that's my point. The club's sitting back and the agenda and the media coverage isn't being determined by them anymore.

It may only amount to spin but I feel the club needs to get a grip of events and start dictating the agenda like it used to. For too long recently they've been forced on the back foot to react to players leaving. It's time we read about the positive things happening at the club a bit more (I'm presuming there are some?). There was a time when the Bulls used to dominate the positive news in the RL media, new initiatives, gimmicks, etc whatever. What we need now is for some lines from the club that give us a reason to be happy again.

It may only amount to re-assurance that the club is working on delivering a better side but it'd be more upbeat.

Can't argue with any of that!

Reminding me of the days when Caisley was hunkered down in the Odsal bunker and we heard sod all (folk with short memories may not remember we had a spell like that?)

Oh yes it was a classic case of "Infamy Infamy they've all got in Infamy"

Don't forget Sams fee being quoted will now get agents to reconsider upping the ante in negotiations and the Club are going to keep a lid on it till the deals are signed sealed and delivered