What people have to understand is that Skolars have tried the method of bringing overseas players to the club and it hasn't really worked in their favour. They were attracting guys who play footy back home and came to europe to travel so some players were missing part way through the season on holidays to Tenerife or Prague etc..

They've boldly decided, of which some will be due to finance, to develop from within and give experience to players from London. I think better links with Harlequins is a must if they are to push homegrown talent into the mix. It would benefit Harlequins too, a chance to give first team experience to a young academy lad while keeping a close eye on his development. Even training once a week with Harlequins and twice a week with Skolars would help him develop.

Something had to change, the club were going around in circles. Have faith that this will not happen overnight but be glad that a club outside the heartlands is trying to do things the right way. Maybe next season will see a few new faces to compliment what they already have.

It's not fair to blame Callum Irving, he's trying to develop what is already there and a win over Workington was more than what could be expected so he's achieving in his role.

Personally I think links with companies willing to provide full time jobs would be a massive bonus in London. It would be a carrot to dangle in the face of established semi-pro players as a reason to move to London. I'm surprised this hasn't been achieved already.

The clubs development system is already bearing fruit. Andre Vine and Smokie Junor were part of a fledgling under 14's back in 2005 and have now pulled on the Skolars first team jersey at just 17/18. It is working, slowly but surely and it is up to us to keep the faith.

Next Best- great post mate.
I agree with most of your comments.
I agree that Callum's way of bringing in more homegrown talent is good however using guys that have only played conference footy and expect them to play to Nat 2 standard is not going happen. The players are just not good enough at this level so in essence its alomost the same as recruiting Aussie park footballers.

Latham was sucessful in recruiting the right players to the club and building a decent squad.

Recruitment is the main issue here. A couple of quality imports in the right positions would be key. This needs to be sorted starting now so that these players are over here for pre-season training and they can get the right visas sorted.

Ex-skolars players within Oz and NZ should be used to recomend players not backpackers coming over for a couple of games. By doing this, your scouting network is widened and the good name of the skolars is used around players looking to come over to the UK to play.

Your idea of certain companies being used to provide jobs to recruit within the UK has some merit however might be tough now in these hard times that companies are facing. But a good idea none the less.

A better relationship with Quins is essential as most other clubs up north have access to loan players during the season however Skolars never have that benefit.

Some years agao, when you were still North London and about to enter the league, I was staying at the Holiday Inn in Hemel when a number of your players and fans came in. They had been up to Widnes to play Halton Simms Cross in the Cup. I wished them well and I still hope that Skolars will come through to be a force in RL, albeit probably at no more than Championship level (though you never know). When you get canings like this season it can be hard, but there is a lot of goodwill towards your club.

With Hemel and St Albans close by, there is a nucleus of clubs that can, with a bit of luck, become very much part of the heartlands,but the trick is to get as many schools as possible playing.

Good luck.

Funnily enough just days later Quins loan 3 players to Skolars.

Lets hope they add a lot to the side and help some of their team-mates develop.

All three are very talented players and should go well at this level.

i think the thing to remember all the good ideas on this site are usually just good ideas so most people think them. we needed a change in RFL rules to allow this.