Wow, that one took me back. Hanley, Skerrett by all means. But who remembers Phil Ford these days? I liked him!

Don't compare yourselves too closely to the Sox. The 'Bambinos's Curse' lasted over 80 years!

The red sox finished at the the bottom of their division and near the foot of the total table of teams last year, and they won the "world" series this year, think that make more sense

The Red Sox had the talent last year, with one of the highest payrolls in MLB. The issue was with their manager Bobby Valentine, whom almost everyone loathed, and only lasted one season.

There is not the quality at the Bulls for them to suddenly leap into title or cup winning contention next season.

I don't theynk they actually meant literally.

I think Bob Dylan's Hat might be rhyming slang.

My point was that attitude and team chemistry make a significant difference in sport. I do not not expect the Bulls to suddenly become world Champions but do believe that they will continue to make progress on the field because of the type of environment that Cummins is trying to put together.

What is interesting is that the Red Sox who, despite significant talent and a high payroll, totally underperformed in 2012 then cleared out the "problem" players and brought in a manager who totally brought the team together and with a few lessor name additions was able to turn the team around to a World Series win in 2013.

Huddersfield don't really need another back rower. WIgan are too small in the back row IMO, Farrell's best option is to develop size as a prop. I think Bateman might be the same.
Interesting what Radlinski says about stripping him down & rebuilding him. I wonder whether that is mental as well as physical.

Firstly, is it only the elite who get to judge what is an understandable reason?

I won't deny I've thought long and hard about getting a ST this year, but there are too many reasons not to imho. During the pledge I (and many other non elitist fans) threw lots of money down a black hole. I'm not saying that is anything to do with the new board, but I haven't seen enough of them to convince me that we will last the season out. I got myself into debt during the pledge, again if you don't think that makes me a true fan then I'm not sure why I'm even bothering posting anymore.

Just from reading your post you must also have concerns that we are being lied to already by the new board. They have insisted that we haven't sold Bateman for financial reasons, but you feel that if us non st holders could have supported the club this may not have happened - you may just be trying to stick the knife in and convince us lesser fans not to go, so you can get your wish of supporting a championship club, but I think it shows that even the holiest of the elite aren't too sure about the new board.

I have never said that i won't turn up at Odsal week in, week out - I simply love the bulls too much to stay away. At present after the uncertainty of the last 2 years I feel it's too much of a risk to lay down the money up front. RHP aside I've not seen anything from the new board which gives me enough confidence that my ST money won't be wasted and we will be back to square one.

I have never harped on about about the playoffs/trophies, I understand that in all sports it happens in cycles, and there are very little trophies won in each season. I have more of an issue with the way in which FC has handled a lot of things - and it appears that many of the players do too. I can understand letting a player go who's hearts not in it, but I feel Bateman could have been convinced we are the right place for him. It appears from where I'm looking that FC takes the easy option of showing players the door rather than trying to motivate/discipline them. And tbh, I was more gutted/pis$ed off with Jamie Langley being slung out the door.

Yes you may have loved the club for many years. so have most on here. It doesn't give you the right to tell them to feck off because they don't agree with you. Again, if you get your wish and this large section of supporters do feck off, you probably will end up watching a championship team, but only for a season or so before we are gone for good.

If you are one of the 'true fans' you should be trying to convince others of the reasons for investing in a ST, not spitting your dummy out and acting as though every fan should have to answer to you. CC tried it, it doesn't work.

Tbf, if JB has put in numerous requests over the past 2 years it would seem that somebody at the club had at least attempted to try and convince him to stay. I don't have a problem with what FC is doing, in fact I'm impressed with his style of handling. He doesn't take any crap, and that is what I want to see from a manager and coach. You do it Frannys way or it's the highway. It seems like the 3 that have gone feel like they should be running the club and team themselves. Be gone with you I say.

There has been rumours of other players having an issue with the coach aswell.

Hopefully in the long run they will prove to be right decisions, but if A'OB, Roberts etc get an offer from another club their agents will know contracts don't stand for much at the Bulls.

I don't think contracts are worth a jot at any club, to be fair. As far as the club is concerned - other than maybe being able to agree a fee when the player decides he has been offered a better deal - it isn't worth a light, it doesn't even prevent other SL clubs coming in and offering terms. I think all clubs accept the reality that a forced conscript isn't going to give his best so will get rid, just as we have had to.

Fair point.

I just think it's annoying to see players sign up for the long term then jump ship a year later. I agree that is probably more down to the agents, and that young lads want things as quickly as possible.

FC's way or no way?Is that it?

I have seen the likes of Hanley,Newlove,Skerret get prized away so its nothing new.What is new,though,is three promising young players leaving the club in a very short space of time.Whatever you think of Whitehead and Bateman,they were young,home grown players with great promise and its all right saying GOOD RIDDANCE,THEY'RE BAD EGGS etc etc,that doesn't wash as Wigan and Catalan think they have signed untapped potential which they can harness.
So we have failed with both of them imo and the management style of FC is very much under scrutiny coz if he has got this wrong we have lost a great % of our future talent he'll be out the door and we would be left in dis array minus our youngsters.
The jury's still out imo.But its not gonna get ex season ticket holders beating down the doors to buy back their match tickets is it?
"Its all ok guys FC wants the club run a certain way and if the players don'[t like it they know where the door is".Who else doesn't like FC's way?The mind boggles.

Without attracting more support we are going nowhere and up to now I don't like FC's way either.As I have done for the last few seasons I will choose my matches until such time as I have confidence in what's going on.For info I held a vice-presidents season ticket for 35 years until Caisley thought he didn't need us anymore and a stand ticket for many years after that until they took the with the parking charges etc etc.

Let's see how we go.

100%.