Wrong again, our attendences didn't increase because of the merger, it increased when we moved to the KC.

We didn't have immediate success in the cup that came 5/6 years later in 2005.

Straws and clutching spring to mind here.

Although questions can be asked about the merger with Hull, Gateshead were just another example of a club being elevated to the top flight of RL before they should have and another example of a filed "expansion" club.
Thankfully, Newcastle seem to be doing things "right" and may yet make it.
As for Hull, big club with a great following and their move to the KC stadium almost allowed them to break the stranglehold of the "big 4".
However, despite their Challenge Cup success, the SL title still seems some way off and they could probably do with someone like Tony Smith to get them to the next level (sorry Hull fans).

As for Toronto, you do seem the polar opposite of "Donny", he can see nothing that they could possibly add to the sport but, you seem of the opinion that they can do no wrong ?

Could you explain just how the sport can realistically afford to be a transatlantic sport, unless of course the "Yanks" embrace the game and a huge TV could be secured over there and then suggest where their players would come from and the effects that this would have on the game in the UK.

Apologies for the thread drift.

Mind you, if Watson does ok at Huddersfield, he could very well end up at a club like FC

Of course you can avoid me, your not obliged to reply. but you choose to disagree with absolutely all I point out, just like a couple of other notorious posters, and now your completely changing your arguments to carry on doing that.

The idea Gateshead's collapse saved Hull is preposterous, Hull city council had their backs and you know it...... games up mate

Thank you for your support (of sorts). I don't have any personal "opinions" on TWP when it comes to it, all I have ever done is point out the fact they entered the game with Perez promising Canadian players and Canadian TV deals "pretty quickly", then several seasons on Brian McDermott went in front of the press to admit TWP had not managed to develop anything player wise and had not found any paying Canadian TV deals.

Then the investor walked away leaving a long string of debts. All I ask of people is to just acknowledge these facts, but I suppose they are too embarrassed to admit they were reeled in? Anyway off topic and let's get back on Ian Watson, and I am looking forward to seeing if he can repeat the magic at Huddersfield.......

Thanks for supplying the corrections to OO's posts Dave. How I'd like to see Hull.v.Huddersfield in either of the major finals.

whilst i'm not an anti toronto person, or a toronto obsessive like some, i do think it's somewhat disappointing and doesn't look good that they didn't manage to crack 200 donors on this go fund me, when they're suggesting they've got crowds of 10k.

They're were phoney club, with an owner who used it as playtoy.

Is this really an Ian Watson thread?

must admit, after i posted that, and saw which one it was on, i was somewhat confused.

Well it's an Ian Watson thread as the Gentleman above points out.

But I will take on board that fact, and wonder outside this thread, how many donors they may have got had there been a threat to close the TWP beer tent







Looking forward to Mr. Watson's efforts for Ken Davey and Fartown........

yeah and a certain donor called David Arygle managed to slip a fiver in as well

Good to see Robert Elstone donating £3 as well.