Meeting Monday 7th September at 7-30 in the Willows. guests will be Robbie Paul & Craig Stapleton, who are set to be leaving us next week. Will be presenting them both with a little mmento from Forever Reds. Everyone is welcome to come along & wish them both the best for their future's

not your signed knickers again Shirl

Hope you mean flies and not being confusing with trousers.

Not been to one for a bit, but might pop along tonight.

Just like to say big thanks to Robbie Paul and Stapo who came tonight to the meeting. I think they will both be sorely missed and Im sure they didnt want to coe down and talk about chicken wing tackles and the RFL on a monday night but they did so fair play to them. Thought Robbie spoke fantastic and can see why a media career is the right way for him, he should be someone the club looks to employ again in the future, it is obvious how much a player like that would bring on the kids as well and his enthusiasm is second to none. In a room that was pretty moany if thats a word about things in general, he actually made soe very inspiring comments ie about ratchford getting the stadium etc and although some may say he was just appeasing the crowd, I thought that is the sort of stuff the fans should be getting told and his half full philosphywas spot on. I think they will both be big losses think Stapo was a bit gutted at the end when someone said, wish we had more money to keep you and he said any money would have been nice. Both sad to see go and want to wish good luck in future. I know soeone does a write up of these meetings but just wanted to put my 2penneth in ha

Robbie did say that the Murrayfield magic weekend was a pile of crap.

As posted above, Robbie is one on his own he is so infectious. He started off with giving a big thanks to all the supporter's(yes, even those who boo & shout abuse) especially when the team played Celtic last season in Bridgend, he said it was like a home match, the support was fantastic, just what the players want when they are on the pitch. Craig said "the positive support is fantastic, nothing like it, especially at home". Both said the abuse the team gets at some games is really bad for moral in the team really gets to the younger players.
When asked about the Myler situation, didnt say anything detremental about Richie or all the stories of what has or has not gone on, but was quick to focus on what WE, the club & its supporters have got in Stefan Ratchford, Luke Adamson, Adam Sidlow, he said to focus on them & build the future around them.
Robbie very positive about the stadium happening, real pity it didn't happen in his time with us, as he would have been a great ambassador promoting the club with it, as we all know, that he was brought in to do that job but things didn't happen quick enough.
Robbie was asked if Stef would have to leave the cclub to progress & become a better player, he answered with a definite NO, but needs to get the right coaching.
They asked the fans what was the thoughts on the season, as Robbie thinks it has been pretty successful, after moving up from NL1 & a rough start to S/L the guys worked hard & pulled a good Easter run out & 1 or 2 games where we didnt get it right, we lost by less than 8 points in most games + some referee decisions that were very dubious.
Stapo said they spoke to the ref a few times during the Bradford game for being pedantic, giving penalties against us & not against Bradford for the same thing, & lots of them on the 5th tackle giving them yards all the time + Bradford have hit a good vein of play at the moment
Salford are a grinding team, nothing spectacular, but wear the opposition down & won some games they shouldnt have this season.
Robbie thinks the club should lay some good foundations with the young players we have as we are not in the position to buy world class players so we need to bring our young players through & the new stadium will give the club momentum & bring in new sponsors.
Craig said all the finals in NL1 last season were the best feelings in the world even though it wasnt S/L. Asked what he is doing when he goes home, said all the NRL clubs have got their quota's sorted but he has got a good job to go to & will play for his local club, which incidentally, "Buddah" is playing for.
When Robbie was asked why he came to Salford, said J.W. talked him into it, even though he had a job in media with Huddersfield.
Manchester has a catchment area of 2.2mill & S/L needs a rugby league club in this area. From an admin & financial point its needed, if we could tap into 10% of the Salford population, which the club hope to do with the new stadium, it would put us on the right tracks.
The "core" group of fans need to keep supporting the club
When Craig asked what his take on Refs, as he has had a few run ins with them recently, he said you cant blame a loss on the the part the ref plays, but would like video ref at every game, its an unfair advantage for tv games. In the Catalans game, 3 tries were scored for them of wrong decisions & Stewart Cummings agreed they were wrong , but it doesnt get you the points. Here, only 6 f/time refs wherein Aus, they have 20, need to bring more on into the game.
Some of the fans have been an embarresement to the club this season, only a small minority, but they tar the rest of the fans with the same, so all fans need to get it stopped as it has an adverse effect with away fans who choose not to attend our games resulting in lost revenue to the club.

We made a presentation to Robbie & Craig & thanked them for their time with the club which was very much appreciated.
Robbie requested that if any of us would like to go & support him at Leigh when they will be playing any local derbies he would be very happy to see any of us.
Craig & Robbie thanked us for the gifts & have enjoyed being with the club.
Next meeting is 19th October, which is a board meeting & Laura, who has been made the R/L rep for Supporters Direct will attend to introduce herself to everyone & if there is anything she can point us in the right direction for. Cheers

Thought it tasted like nectar Is J.J. stirring things , & HE is supposed to be your mate. Did tell me 2 Wembleys ago that you don't like parting with it.

As always, thanks for the summary of the meeting, bbm. Those of us who live in foreign parts (well, Warrington in my case) and can't get to the meetings are very grateful for your efforts throughout the season.