They don't get a gig in RL unless they are obsequious and promise not to rock the boat.

Tony Hannan doesn't get invited for tea and biscuits by the RFL any longer since he chose to hold contrary opinions.

Peter Smith of the YEP, Hetherington's Budgie and the rest are safe though. They don't ask too many difficult questions.

I knew I liked Tony Hannan for a reason.

I'm not surprised Jeff, it's always been like that as long as I can remember.

All fairly positive on the whole.Toovey is a fantastic appointment not just for his coaching abilties but perhaps just as important at this stage his contacts within the game.Jaz Athwal is a great appointment.True rugby league man.True Bradfordian.Yes he was involved with the Green regime but was very much on the outer and not involved with the day to day running of the club.

So we’ve got one of the top coaches in RL. Any idea of the length of the contract?

No idea at all who’s funding what.

No idea of who else has signed yet either.

What did they get asked? Their desert island discs?

Here's a few of his recent tweets...

[iRFL 'media briefing' tomorrow with Wood & Rimmer apparently. No invite here, as usual. Disappointed. Enjoy a good comedy double act. SAD![/i

[iIt's time to drain the Red Hall swamp.[/i

Didn’t know Hannan was persona non grata. Respect!

And these...

[iShould point out it isn't just me not invited to RFL briefing. A few other 'dissenting voices' too. No insinuation re those who are btw 1/2...

--- But when a governing body won't 'brief' (ie share tea and biscuits) with anyone it sees as a critic, then RFL is in dodgy waters 2/2

Just putting that out there. If you're not fussed about RFL accountability, fair enough. You'll get the game you deserve.[/i

Not particularly, or even at all, interested in Aussie games, so to be honest I've never heard of this bloke - other than a vague feeling he might have played for the Aussie team at one point. Is he any good then?

Wasn't it mentioned that Toovey wouldn't be bringing in loads of faces from.down under, but would be seeking to develop good links within the community over here.

He’s got a good win ratio from his time in charge at Manly. He was forced out there through no fault of his own by the sounds of it. The owners wanted their own man – Trent Barrett. (Shades of our own situation). Toovey got them to the Grand Final and to the latter stages of the comp in his time there.

As a player he was a Manly legend. Tigerish little scrum half. Played for Australia in 1995. Stayed with Manly and the ARL during the Super League war down there turning down millions. So a loyal bloke. Manly fans love him.

He’s also a qualified accountant.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geoff_Toovey

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geoff_Toovey

And so the rollercoaster ride continues. Great to have some good news for a change. The new owners must be very persuasive to tempt someone to move from Manly (assuming he was still living thereabouts) to Bratfud. Dare we dream of staying up?

No. Those 26 player? Prospect Warriors.

As a player not the best of his generation but then he's the same era as Langer and Johns. Was ARL loyal when the SL war happened, and was the opposing halfback to Johns in the '97 ARL GF. Got knocked out twice, head stamped on and still put in a great performance. A Manly legend of the order of Menzies, if not more so. A proper old-school mongrel. Not entirely dissimilar to Jimmy if I'm honest. Has a bit more form than Jimmy for fighting with fans. Put it this way: there's no way on this earth I'm missing the Halifax away game.