38 replies to this topic

[Furryenzo]

Getting a bit worried about the size of our squad. By no means big enough to avoid problems with injuries. Iv read on another topic that the website is on hold until the new office is completely set up but there has been nothing in the press either...

We need another 5 players in my opinion.

[PhillH]

Personally I hate the annual merry-go-round of players - its one of the most unpalatable developments in the modern culture of rugby at this level.

But (!) if you look back at previous years, the current position actually compares very favourably. Credit Steve McCormack.

There are plenty of decent players not signed up anywhere yet. Partly thats because some of the key competitors have been in a state of flux in the boardroom and therefore slower than the Lions in getting their act together.

I do wish Phil Joseph would re-sign though.

After that, put the emphasis on youngsters I say!

[marshy1]

Personally I hate the annual merry-go-round of players - its one of the most unpalatable developments in the modern culture of rugby at this level.

But (!) if you look back at previous years, the current position actually compares very favourably. Credit Steve McCormack.

There are plenty of decent players not signed up anywhere yet. Partly thats because some of the key competitors have been in a state of flux in the boardroom and therefore slower than the Lions in getting their act together.

I do wish Phil Joseph would re-sign though.

After that, put the emphasis on youngsters I say!

Phil, I would agree with you there. The only point I would take up with you is not only credit Steve McCormick, but also the clubs noard for allowing Mr M to have the funds available.
Wouldn't you agree.?

[PhillH]

Phil, I would agree with you there. The only point I would take up with you is not only credit Steve McCormick, but also the clubs noard for allowing Mr M to have the funds available.
Wouldn't you agree.?

To some extent, but success on the field means less to me than it does to others - particularly while the club doesn't have its own ground. You know my view that in order for the club to grow from what it is today, a greater proportion of resources need to be targetted off-the-field, not just into the top priority of making Agecroft happen but also to strengthen other aspects of infrastructure (the new office being a piece of welcome progress, yet already we hear that its only temporary and that mindset is limiting the level of commitment to it and will inevitably limit the return), the desperate need for some effective marketing, lack of community development in the home community, lack of a main shirt sponsor for 3 years.

And all against a backdrop where there is no chance of being promoted nor relegated for 2 years, which greatly limits the impact of what happens on the pitch anyway.

The point is - if Steve McCormack did such a superb job that he coached the team to winning the Championship, the thing he and the players really deserve is backing of the sort that makes the most of that success by allowing progression and giving the success real meaning to the M27 community.

[PhillH]

Phil, I would agree with you there. The only point I would take up with you is not only credit Steve McCormick, but also the clubs noard for allowing Mr M to have the funds available.
Wouldn't you agree.?

Not to forget the same funds were also there in previous years, but the squad was never in place this early.

What / Who is the difference?

[Barnie]

with no P and R this year its a great chance to look at some young guys. Go to Leigh MR and Leigh East and a few of the amateur clubs in Wigan and give a few of those lads a try. Nothing to lose.

[duffymoon]

I would imagine that the new office on Chorley Road is only temporary because eventually the club will relocate its administrative base to Agecroft.There seems to be some work taking place on the site at Agecroft,a clearing of trees and dense foliage it would seem.Not sure whether it is connected to any stadium development or just a general tidy up of the area.

[marshy1]

Not to forget the same funds were also there in previous years, but the squad was never in place this early.

What / Who is the difference?

Your wrong there Phil, last year Steve Mc had his squad pretty much in place last year as many of us attended a meeting at Clifton Cricket club where the squad was attending and if the grey matter serves me correct that was in November.

[PhillH]

Your wrong there Phil, last year Steve Mc had his squad pretty much in place last year as many of us attended a meeting at Clifton Cricket club where the squad was attending and if the grey matter serves me correct that was in November.

The comparison to make is between the Steve McCormack era and the time before his arrival, so to do that you clearly need to go back prior to last season.

[Blue Monkey]

I would imagine that the new office on Chorley Road is only temporary because eventually the club will relocate its administrative base to Agecroft. There seems to be some work taking place on the site at Agecroft, a clearing of trees and dense foliage it would seem. Not sure whether it is connected to any stadium development or just a general tidy up of the area.

Yes, only this morning a "little bird" told me that something was stirring down at Agecroft, whatever it was.
I wonder what it could be about, eh?


P.S. "will relocate its administrative base" Has anybody else noticed that the word "relocate" has become one of the most over used words in the English language in recent times? Won't the word "move" do any longer?

[lionsfanusa]

Yes, only this morning a "little bird" told me that something was stirring down at Agecroft, whatever it was.
I wonder what it could be about, eh?


P.S. "will relocate its administrative base" Has anybody else noticed that the word "relocate" has become one of the most over used words in the English language in recent times? Won't the word "move" do any longer?

Somebody maybe could take a look?
It's a bit far for me!

[Blue Monkey]

Somebody maybe could take a look?
It's a bit far for me!

I'll pop down Agecroft on your behalf ASAP Geoff.

[Furryenzo]

Great, so another topic has fallen subject to grumblings about the clubs other issues.

Back to topic, by my reckoning we need one more centre/winger, one more stand-off/loose forward, another prop and another second rower.

We should then have a squad of 25, which I think is the bare minimum needed. Of the positions mentioned above they are all for back-up purposes as I believe we already have our strongest 17, so therefore looking at the local amateur sides as Barnie mentioned would be a good idea. I dont think we can afford any more proven quality...

[PhillH]

I would imagine that the new office on Chorley Road is only temporary because eventually the club will relocate its administrative base to Agecroft.There seems to be some work taking place on the site at Agecroft,a clearing of trees and dense foliage it would seem.Not sure whether it is connected to any stadium development or just a general tidy up of the area.

Understand that, and eventually using Agecroft for admin makes perfect sense, but that may not happen for some time yet. In the meantime the club has an excellent opportunity to use a prominent position in the town centre to significantly boost its profile. Fact is the majority of residents are hardly aware of the Lions existance nowadays, so lets get some signs up, have a launch event with the Lions mascot outside handing out fixture lists etc, have the Championship One trophy on show, make something of the fact this is the first time the club has had a physical presence in Swinton since the 80's, get it in the paper, get it on the website........

Who knows, it might even work so well that keeping some sort of presence in the town centre is viable even after Agecroft opens - let's face it, the proposed stadium site hardly gets the day to day footfall that Chorley Road gets!

[PhillH]

Great, so another topic has fallen subject to grumblings about the clubs other issues.

Back to topic, by my reckoning we need one more centre/winger, one more stand-off/loose forward, another prop and another second rower.

We should then have a squad of 25, which I think is the bare minimum needed. Of the positions mentioned above they are all for back-up purposes as I believe we already have our strongest 17, so therefore looking at the local amateur sides as Barnie mentioned would be a good idea. I dont think we can afford any more proven quality...

There is still proven quality available though in the positions you mention.

Andy Ballard still seems to be considering his options. Perhaps its telling Richard Flooks has not been re-signed yet?

Loose forward obvious candidate is Phil Joseph.

Second row wise at Championship level they don't come much better than James Taylor who hasn't yet committed to Leigh and its known that he's been in negotiations with Swinton Lions.

[Furryenzo]

All good players, can we afford them? I cant see it. I think Mills will be taking a decent pay cheque along with I'anson. I would love to see those players in a swinton shirt however, I think the only realistic option is Joseph. I think Taylor was looking good until Leigh got their act together, but now I think they will be his preferred option.

Id sign flooksy up as back-up. As iv said in a previous topic, hes not the most athletically gifted, but I cant remember him putting a foot wrong last year.

[Brenda]

Kevin Penny signs.

[mark richardson]

Absolutely blown away by this signing even Phil may smile. glad to see we are talking about the actual subject matter again.
It will be amazing to see genuine pace in our team again for the first time since Henare and sticks.

[marshy1]

Absolutely blown away by this signing even Phil may smile. glad to see we are talking about the actual subject matter again.
It will be amazing to see genuine pace in our team again for the first time since Henare and sticks.

He may well Mark, but no credit to the board.!!

Good signing I remember him when he broke into the Warrington team and he was pretty impressive.

Now all we need as Phil has stated is a bit more punch up front.

[Leyther_Matt]

Second row wise at Championship level they don't come much better than James Taylor who hasn't yet committed to Leigh and its known that he's been in negotiations with Swinton Lions.

Jimmy signed his new contract at Leigh last week.