When G Thornton was in charge of York City Knights in 2014, there were really only three teams capable of fighting for promotion from Championship 1 – York City Knights, Oldham and Hunslet Hawks.

In 2015, there are eight strong teams in League 1; Oldham Roughyeds, Keighley Cougars, York City Knights, Swinton Lions, North Wales Crusaders, Rochdale Hornets, Barrow Raiders and Newcastle Thunder.

For 2016, two of the five top teams will be promoted. Donny and one of Hunslet Hawks or Whitehaven or Batley will come down. Also, Toulouse may enter League 1.

Clearly, there will be some movement of players and coaches. The financial status of some clubs may be better than others allowing them to offer more competitive financial deals to get better players. So some teams may strengthen and others may weaken. Given that our financial position is good, let’s hope that the club spends the money wisely.

However, this year we struggled to compete with Hunslet, Whitehaven and Batley. We were soundly beaten by North Wales Crusaders – currently fifth in League 1.

If Donny’s aim is to come straight back up to Championship, then it is clear that Donny needs to build a team that can compete for the top slots in League 1. This year, Donny’s management admitted to making mistakes. The management problems of this year must be resolved fully so that they are not carried forward as a burden into 2016.

It will be good to see the complete player picture when it is released. Given the numerous comments of the importance of the spine of the team, it will be of particular interest to know which players will fill the 1, 6, 7 and 9 positions.

Only by selecting good players who can be moulded by the coaches into a strong competitive team, will we have a chance of succeeding in achieving promotion.

The challenges of League 1 should not be underestimated.

My thoughts entirely ....
If the calibre of the incomers is not exceptional, and I am talking of the likes of players with the abilities of Briggs, Gale, Wood, Sammut, et al, then Donny can forget it!
They need to know that!

One good thing is that Rovers sacked their useless manager very quickly this season, so Thornton beware!

Club Doncaster can't trumpet high ambitions and put up with this kind of mediocrity....
... only the Belles are performing ... the soccer side and the rugby side are SERIOUSLY UNDERPERFORMING!

There is a dichotomy even a numpty could see, never mind a board member.
In other words let's have some action, words are cheap ... as cheap as the ethos demonstrated thus far!

Minutes from the meeting will be posted as soon as Jackie Green types them up.

Thanks Baz.

No problem. Let this season finish and start fresh next year.

Very good meeting tonight and the future looks good.Several signings already made and names released at the meeting,yes they are young players who have been at Super League clubs but they are better than those signed by Cooke at the start of this season.Seen videos of three of them and they all look good especially the winger Foggin- Johnston who looks a real gem and will quickly become a fans favourite. Scrum half signed and again a youngster but he is highly rated and the Dons have beaten several Championship clubs for his signature.His name and those of others in the bag cannot be named for contractual reasons.Some overseas players also possibly lined up.So as yet no big names signed or if they have details cannot be released again for contractual reasons.Let's draw a line under this season and look to the next because from what I have seen and heard tonight , the future is beginning to look very promising.

Can someone who attended the meeting please verify that Liam Welham has indeed signed for next season, as on facebook he seemed to question it, if obviously it was Liam, but I have no reason to doubt it. Important signing for me.

Yes he has signed.

Thanks, good to hear. Not Sure what that on facebook was about then.

It says in the Free Press that Thornton HOPES that the Dons hold on to Wilkinson.
Hopes?

If they can't retain a talent like Wilko, then how do they attract anyone has good or better?

I have been to these kind of meetings and it is easy to get enthused and excited, not least in part because you WANT to to be excited.
Sorry to be a caution again, but I have seen these YouTube type clips in the past showing someone as a worldbeater and it's just selective best bits.
The reality is different.

The facts ARE thus far we have signed nobody new of note. We are signing potential again and HOPING we can knock them into a team.
Sound familiar?

The side will win at least half of its games, of that I have little doubt.
But for a side to win Championship 1, they have to be as good as Dewsbury (say) are NOW! ... IMHO.
And our team is nowhere near without two great half backs, three if you include Wilko and plan that he will be crocked a lot.
Kids won't do it, I am convinced.
Three years down the line maybe, but that runs counter to the stated aim of immediate promotion.
With Toulouse there etc, it won't be easy.

We need more than we are getting from the Dons.
I can't think of the Dons anymore without thinking about the Rovers and the pursestrings.
Still,I am a few weeks ahead of being able to make some sort of informed prediction, but I am NOT impressed thus far!
Sorry ...

I concur with my learned friend. Who is going to get these kids around the park?. We started off like this last season with kids and nobody to look after them. Are we in fact penny pinching?

Rovers have made a change due to a fall in attendance, among other stuff no doubt. I wish the Dons would do the same.

I does seem that some people have been easily placated by the signings but I agree with Moonlight and S-O (a very rare event...maybe we should inform Look North). We have signed players based on Youtube clips if you look at the other SMTMUK videos you will see the now infamous highlight reel of Brooke Broughton and we know how that turned out.

Youth is important in a side yes but so is experience and guile someone on the pitch for these kids to learn from, if you look at the majority of our successful sides over the years they have had this blend.

The first year we had Cooke was outstanding players learning and growing in confidence from his ability, while his legs might not be what they once were his mind more than made up for it.

Thats the type of player we need to be targeting now someone who has done it and has a wealth of experience to share, maybe that older player looking to take a step down from the rigors and pace of Super League but still has maybe one or two seasons class to offer us.

I think a significant signing of someone of Mr Cooke's ilk would go a long way to help ease the fans worries that the same mistakes are not being made again.

So far, unless ive missed them, we have signed 2 youngsters and Mark Castle, I'm sure there will be more signings, without knowing who not sure we can jump to conclusions that next year will be the same as this.

I was unable to attend the meeting last night (ill) but a friend who did go informed me that we had signed a young half back who was being chased by several championship clubs and who is stand out player with his present club no name given , will have to wait and see

As I have indicated earlier,yes we have and the Dons have done well to get him. Sorry to have a go but all these moans about not signing anyone of any significance are not justified at this stage. As I also have stated, signings have been made but their names cannot be released yet for fear of prejudicing their situation at their current clubs. I too was at the meeting and the videos of the two lads from Warrington and a loose forward from Leeds made good viewing. Negative comments have also been made about videos seen before of players but correct me if I am wrong, didn't Mitch Clark turn out to be as good if not better than what we saw in his video. Wilko has been mentioned too but you have to realise other clubs are talking to our players with offers and some of them don't want to drop down to Championship 1. I have been very critical of the Dons this season and particularly Club Doncaster but from what I have seen and heard I am very positive and shall be buying a season ticket on Sunday. More signings will be released when it is appropriate so come on everybody give the Management a chance.