We started to use 'cool' at school in the 70s, it set us apart as the hipsters. Sadly, like my Prince of Wales checks, it went out of fashion. I celebarte its return & look lovingly at my daughter when she uses it in the wrong context. I only use it myself when I feel safe & among friends.

I am happy whoever is doing this. All I ask it that I know who or where to send my money soon as I am going on Holiday 4th January for several weeks and will not be able to pay up until 23rd January then. If there is a chance to pay before I go that would be great.

I was given to understand that it was something Bullbuilder would be interested in and that the club might prefer to widen the 18 shirt concept among more fans (i.e. not necessarily just RAB) (and obviously get more money). I think Bullbuilder has (or had) many more members than just those who are on RAB so it would be conducive to both, looked at from that point of view.

I've done this for some years now, and would be happy to continue, if Bullbuilder isn't going to take over for whatever reason, (I don't know if it would, or wouldn't) but couldn't start actually collecting just now as formally there isn't yet any actual agreement for a sponsorship, just stuff that has been floated. With the exception that of course we could just pick a Category C player and stick with that - we have just about enough - but I'm not personally too keen on that, if something better were available, as to me it's a departure from the spirit of what we've been doing in recent seasons.

I appreciate that the Bulls have some pretty extensive fish to fry at the moment so maybe its understandable if we aren't at the top of the list.

Being the hands on mod that I am, this is the first time I've read any of this thread.

I will happily contribute to whatever materialises. The waters appear to have got muddied but there's obviously a collective will to sponsor someone or other.

Too far for me.
I liked the idea of sponsoring a couple of young players who might not otherwise get sponsorship.
This provided the youngsters with recognition and the club with extra funds- without RAB sponsorship neither of these might not have happened.
Whilst I prefer to sponsor junior players I would have gone along with sponsoring the no.18 shirt if it was the majority wish of the rest of RAB, at least our club would get extra funds for free.
I am miffed that the club should hi-jack the idea by suggesting that our sponsorship of the no.18 shirt be extended to others. We are not an exclusive clique, (any one can put their name down) but neither should we enter into partnerships where others can control where our money goes.
Should the club so wish they can set up their own no.18 sponsorship scheme through their own efforts.
The idea that it should be run by Bullbuilder is nonsense. It was "mothballed" last march and would, even if resurrected, add nothing to our own democratic scheme.
Do we need more money in the kitty to achieve our original aims?
If we knew which young players were available for sponsorship and the costs we can work towards that. I would contribute extra as I feel others might also.

To date, the club is not doing any sponsorship of the Academy. I'm frankly not sure why, given that we aren't like your normal sponsor, in that we don't really ask for anything in return, but no, no young players are available for sponsorship.

Wonder if that could be sponsorship that's been mentioned for new year?. Maybe a companies sponsored academy en masse.

count me in for the sponsorship

40. Andybull

Perhaps we could sponsor the next director to come through the door...... Assuming there is one coming.....

Is it safe to assume this is on indefinite hold until we know there is a club and players to sponsor next year?

And indeed who the hell we'd make the cheque payable to.

I don't think I am speaking out of turn, in saying that a group of us raised this issue with RHP in a meeting (convened to deal with other matters) on 23 December. It was quite clear from the responses that the club was not in a posiution to take sponsorship/donations/whatever of this nature at this time. Even when we pointed out there was at least £800 just waiting to be collected and paid over, with very little required in return and virtually no work required from the club.

What was made public the following day may have had a lot to do with it (we certainly suspected as much), but that can only be conjecture. I think what came across was no lack of appreciation or gratitude - indeed, far from it - but that there were probably other things going on that needed to be dealt with first. As indeed it would appear to have transpired.

So I suspect you have probably concluded rightly, Duckman. It is to be hoped that we are talking "temporary" as opposed to "indefinite" hold, but I guess that is waiting on developments.

Cheers for the feedback Adey, I hope it is just temporary but I wouldn't be surprised if things are still to get worse before they get better. My glass is very much half empty at the moment. Heres hoping for a better new year.

Surely the "positive news" must be on the tip of someone's tongue by now?

Mick? Anyone? Come on, put us out of our misery.

The longer it goes without hearing anything the more I fear we've had it.