For starters I'd be offering the SMC a sweetener of some nice new IMG spec TVs in exchange for rent terms. The TVs aren't far off being 10 years old and likely need renewal soon anyway.

Liking that both Cartwright and Thirkhill seem straight to the point talkers

Pearson not unduly worried about the stadium lease. On good terms with the SMC and Council.

Fully agree that this has been overlooked. The stadium is too big but I'd argue that the lack of atmosphere is mainly due to how terrible we have been in recent years. 14/15k could easily be achieved if we seriously start challenging for trophies. That's a long way off and we all need to be patient.

Look at Rovers. The atmosphere is good because they've come a long way from the years in the doldrums and are now near the top. It's a whole new experience for most of their supporters. Not so long ago they had crowds of 5/6k and the atmosphere was terrible. And the stadium still is.

Enjoyed that, all the panel spoke well. Good questions in the main too.

I thought it was good but you do get some idiots like the guy asking what the first choice 17 would be.

Pearson saying what I did about the stadium. We ain't getting our own, not even a consideration

Good to hear thirkill is a RL man through and through watching games back to the 80's

Hosted more professionally as well. Unlike the one's in the past for one obvious reason.

He’s a good bloke is Steady had a few beers with him in Catalans

I can't quite believe the difference a few months can make.

My hopes and expectation for the club tonight against that of 6 months ago...

Not sure I completely bought the sequencing story of Myler's appointment vs Thirkhill's interest, but was a pretty good forum.

Great to hear we'll quickly reclaim an A grade, and thought Cartwright came across very well - mature, experienced and got the sense his clarity of direction and expectation with the players will be light years ahead of Tony Smith's.

Impressed with Thirkill. Seems a genuine, down to earth, RL fan and not getting carried away with expectations. Think he'll be a cool head and not rush things.

Kudos to the other members of the panel too and was pleased that AP was acknowledged for his time and part in achieving the Wembley wins which will be forever be his lasting legacy.

I agree. I still think it's too much of a coincidence given their connection. But I doubt we'll ever know what really went on here. The HDM article earlier said that talk of a full ownership only started about a month ago and prior to that it was only investment. I wonder if things were so protracted due to Pearson wanting to keep some stake in the club initially but Thirkill only wanted full control? Could Pearson's recent investment loss resulting in that Linkedin rant have been the swaying factor?

When it comes to presenting such events he makes Alan Partridge look like a consummate professional.

Having said that although I've never met him I hear he's a decent fella and hope he's enjoying his retirement.

Well for me and thousands of others no doubt if I had been offered what I have been now last night I would have snapped your hand off. The very fact that we have new owners who won't be taking loans back won't be charging interest for at least 3 years and are hell bent on getting us an A grade license is more than any of us could have wished for. I aways knew from about 5 or so weeks ago that a full take over was on yet some on here went on and on about it only being an investment. That was how it started but when Thirkill saw the potential and as a RL man through and through the passion there was around the place fan wise, he saw possibilities and a challenge and I guess he wanted to head it all up. Adams been suffering through the stress of trying to keep the club afloat and paying back the covid loans and had to dip into the operational budget to do it, that's not fair on us investing in the club as we do I know but that's the fact because he couldn't finance it himself. That has really put pressure on him health wise. And he ain't a healthy man anyway. I am also really impressed with Myler after baulking on here initially when I heard of his appointment.

But those who know Adam will tell you that he would never leave the club in the hands of anyone but parties that would take it forward and look after it (perhaps, as I once said to him in jest, because he knows if in the years to come the wheel comes off then we would be blaming him for doing the deal anyway ). He always talked in RL circles of being the custodian of the club. Many of us hoped against hope that it would be a new owner and we have got that now and he seems to get entirely what its all about and is willing to prioritise a grade A licence and beefing up the playing contingent incrementally going forward. Besides that he sounds and acts like he's committed to the cause already.

Add to all that the fact that our new coach is probably the best chance we have of getting back on track, Andy Last (in tears) is back and bringing some passion, and the facilities we have down at the University are now as they should be and we aim to be there for the next 20 years. For me it's a great result, I'm always worrying about these sort of things until the inks dry on the contract but I think we can all sleep a little more soundly now. I don't particularly care if we finish 8th 9th or so as long as we can all say well we gave it a bloody good go. All many of us really want is a Club that's there for us till we ain't here anymore and one where the players staff and owners get it as much as we do. Will we get that, well who knows, but one things for sure so far this is a bloody good result.