Still a 12 month deal is the best I think we're likely to get for a player of his level now. Especially given the likelihood of a greatly reduced amount of central funding.

BTW, on that score, am I right in thinking that it's handed out on the basis of where teams finish AFTER the middle 8s? So if we, by some miracle, manage to squeeze into the top 4, then next year might not be such the strain on the purse strings that some fear

Definitely after the middle 8's. We finished bottom and our owner had to dip deeper into his pockets this season.

It's been claimed on t'other forum that this changed this year, and next years funding is determined by positions at end of regular season. Change has certainly been kept quiet if this is the case.

Could be best for us then, unless we implode over the final four Championship matches this year.

Sounds like Deggsy had a strop at an RFL meeting.........

Don't get me wrong, I tend to think the "you'll hear it here first" idea is nothing short of craziness. Things will always leak out on social media and internet forums in this day and age. Also when they do send the e-mails out, it immediately gets shared all across those same sites, so it's only a matter of seconds before everyone else finds out anyway.

That being said, if you make a promise, especially as part of marketing your season ticket package, you should stick to it. Any official word should go out to members' e-mail boxes at least 30-60 minutes before they release official statements about new contracts, signings or squads. Either that or don't make the promise in the first place.

Meh. It's not a big deal but I like the idea of getting the official confirmation before you lesser mortals

The whole idea is a bit like a politician's promiseprobably[/del won't work in practice anyway, and will be quietly ut unofficially] dropped.

Chiso should be there on Monday.

He's had a very good season so far with the doggies.

I notice that RL Express says Chisholm is signed " until the end of the season". Quick check of the Bulls announcement and I was relieved to see they say until the end of 2017.
So next season the spine of the team should be decent- Moss, Chisholm, Keyes,Thomas O'Brien and Lumb.
There's obviously going to be a clear out so I'm wondering which players out of contract in 2016 we should renew.
Assuming that the stories regarding Gaskell Ferguson Addy Olbison Fleming and Clark are true , the others I think will definitely leave are Mathers, Uaisele Walker and Walshaw. Baille has already gone. That's 11 of the 2016 squad.
I hope they can keep Clough, Sidlow Ryan and Pitts. Plus the youngsters Trueman and Oakes. Hopefully this will be supplemented by a good few of the current U19's who are in their last year at that level.
By my reckoning this leaves Lauuaki, Blythe Williams and Crossley . I can make arguments to retain each of them but I personally think that no more than 2 will be offered new terms given the certainty of reduced funding.i

PS. And of course of those contracted through 2017 there are long term injury doubts regarding Mendieka and Lovegrove and speculation about Purtell and Halafihi.

Forgot all about Mendeika!
Wouldnt mind keeping hold of Danny Williams, but Blythe has to go! Crossley & Lauaki... Depends on who else we keep hold of and any other props we may sign i think. Presuming we're in the championship again next season, I wouldnt mind too much if we gave Lauaki 1 more year; he's been a changed man since the arrival of Rohan!

Sidlow signed til end of 2017 last year.

Is clough tied down while 2017 too?

Ooc this year unless I missed re-signing

Sorry Mat- I was using the dates on the 2016 Squad thread. Relieved that he's already signed for next season.
I would think there will be competition for Paul Clough's and Jay Pitts' signatures.
Doubtless the phantom poster Peter Hood will repeat the story that Clough is gone!