75 replies to this topic

[DEWSBURY TIL I DIE]

Id find it insulting GFDU haha...

[Wakefield Ram]

Good to read that it was nothing to do with the money why Crossley signed for Fev. Maybe he's just waiting for DP to develop his raw talent to make him into a good player.....oops he's already Player of the Year and standout CC prop. But good luck to him he did well for us despite WJ inability to get the best out of him, Faal, Flanagan etc....

[muddyfunster]

Good luck to him, as he served us well, yet again that the boys at Post Office Road seem incapable of developing their own talent!

[oldrover]

i have to say, i wouldn't like it if the boot was on the other foot.

[Blind side johnny]

SC is a quality player and will thrive on having better players around him. I enjoyed watching him play for us and wish him the very best in the future.

I expect he will be close to SL standard by the end of next season but, of course, will have to leave Fev if he is ever to get into that higher league.

[John North]

Whilst some featherstone fans keep trying to draw comparisons with Dewsbury's recruitment leading up to our grand final winning season, the goal was to reach Super League.
There is no such target available at the moment, so the money they seem to be offering feels out of proportion.
I cant see SLE wanting Wakefield, Castleford and Featherstone competing in Super League at the same time.
Anyone else have an opinion ?

[fredm]

Personally I cannot see any Championship club being admitted to SL in the foreseeable future so think it would be better if the clubs got together and brought in new ideas to promote the competition which we all know is far better entertainment than people give it credit for. If it was promoted better and therefore more income generated it would improve even further.

If I had to stick my neck out and say that 1 club would be admitted to SL I would venture that the Eagles would be high on the list given their location, catchment area, etc. Wouldn't be surprised to see them testing the water at the new Rotherham stadium next season - seems to be a midway solution to the DV and Bramhall Lane problem they have.

[Monkeymagic22]

Finished top of the Championship the last 3 seasons, hopefully back to back Grand Final wins, planning permission for major ground redevelopment, and major backing from Probiz, I wouldn't be quick to write off the possibility of Featherstone Rovers achieving Super League status within the next few years.

[petesmithfan]

Good luck to him, as he served us well, yet again that the boys at Post Office Road seem incapable of developing their own talent!

I was not aware you developed Crosslly, I thought he was a bulls product?

I can understand why you are bitter, but lets be honest its upto dewsbury to create and environment that attracts players.

[coolie]

Finished top of the Championship the last 3 seasons, hopefully back to back Grand Final wins, planning permission for major ground redevelopment, and major backing from Probiz, I wouldn't be quick to write off the possibility of Featherstone Rovers achieving Super League status within the next few years.

only if castleford (a much larger team with a bigger fan base) and wakefield (also a bigger team again with a bigger fan base)

bite the dust in the same way as bradford

not for one minute do i think either or both will get new grounds..empty promises for years
the only way forward is to have a purpose built new stadium at normanton for all 3 teams to share
then in a few years merge to create wakefield met wildcats.



if carling did wishes

[fredm]

Finished top of the Championship the last 3 seasons, hopefully back to back Grand Final wins, planning permission for major ground redevelopment, and major backing from Probiz, I wouldn't be quick to write off the possibility of Featherstone Rovers achieving Super League status within the next few years.

But where is your fan base? How many were at the recent NR Cup Final which was contested by "the 2 biggest teams in the Championship."

[muddyfunster]

I was not aware you developed Crosslly, I thought he was a bulls product?

I can understand why you are bitter, but lets be honest its upto dewsbury to create and environment that attracts players.

Something to do with money i believe? OK he came from the bulls but its not the 1st time your available budget has out done the funds we have to offer our better players to stay . Not blaming Crossley, as at the end of the day you have to do whats right for yourself. I've no doubt he will shine in your team, and wish him all the best for the future.

[Wilsden Ram]

I was not aware you developed Crosslly, I thought he was a bulls product?

I can understand why you are bitter, but lets be honest its upto dewsbury to create and environment that attracts players.

Where does it say that we developed him?

The Statement alludes to the fact that your club consistently claims to have the best development system in the
Championship yet recruits players fron the Rams and other clubs by offering them large amounts of money that we
can not possibly afford.

The Rams do create an environment that attracts players such as Crossley England Lockwood Bostock Finn etc but then they are
enticed away by by your superior financial situation As Old Rover said he would not be happy if the boot was on the other foot
and we raided your players season after season.

[HaroldShand]

Hang on. Mr.Faal, who has served you for three seasons - and played no small part in some of your victories over that period - is the devil incarnate, whilst a player who has spent one season with your club before leaving for pastures new is given Nelson Mandela-esque hero status? I understand that you might be a little annoyed that he's leaving for your close rivals, but get a grip. Some of the misdirected and hypocritical bilge about 'loyalty' and 'oweing something' that has been spewed on here recently is ridiculous beyond belief.
Whatever spin your chairman might put on it, Steve Crossley is still leaving your club for another club one after only a season. Hardly magnificent loyalty, even if Mr.Sawyer states that he 'advised' him to leave in terms of career development. Thats not really showing much faith or confidence in the new coach he's employed and the development abilities he brings with him, or saying much for your club. Alex Walmsley is been touted as a SL prospect, and he plays for a club of similar stature to yourselves. I'd say that's a decent demonstration of the fact that you don't have to play for Featherstone to attract the attention of clubs at a higher level. Or was it just an attempt to save face?

Edited by HaroldShand, 06 September 2012 - 04:13 PM.

[YOUNG UN]

Hang on. Mr.Faal, who has served you for three seasons - and played no small part in some of your victories over that period - is the devil incarnate, whilst a player who has spent one season with your club before leaving for pastures new is given Nelson Mandela-esque hero status? I understand that you might be a little annoyed that he's leaving for your close rivals, but get a grip. Some of the misdirected and hypocritical bilge about 'loyalty' and 'oweing something' that has been spewed on here recently is ridiculous beyond belief.
Whatever spin your chairman might put on it, Steve Crossley is still leaving your club for another club one after only a season. Hardly magnificent loyalty, even if Mr.Sawyer states that he 'advised' him to leave in terms of career development. Thats not really showing much faith or confidence in the new coach he's employed and the development abilities he brings with him, or saying much for your club. Alex Walmsley is been touted as a SL prospect, and he plays for a club of similar stature to yourselves. I'd say that's a decent demonstration of the fact that you don't have to play for Featherstone to attract the attention of clubs at a higher level. Or was it just an attempt to save face?

Mark Sawyer wasn't putting any spin on it. He was being totally honest. He told the audience that the max any player at the Rams gets as a guaranteed contract is £8,000 plus match terms. Fev doubled that for Steve and Mark told the lad to think about his family and take the money. I would say that is honesty and not spin.

Edited by YOUNG UN, 06 September 2012 - 04:40 PM.

[Wilsden Ram]

Steve Crossley has a 2 year deal which gives him and his family a good deal of security in the current economic climate and the Rams were kept informed all through the process
but were unable to come anywhere near the offer(s).

Faal on the other hand has come to you in totally different circumstances and 'The Devil Incarnate' is a good description. Hope he is the same for you!

[Kelsey The Ram]

I was wrong and i apologise , i suspected for a while that ktr was another grucker manifestation and when those earlier two posts saying he wasnt aware of steve crossley playing and the ben jones and austin rubbish i took the bait . To Kelsey i am sorry for to be mistaken as grucker is pretty bad .

Don't worry GFDU, I accept the apology, lets say we move on from this and all is friendly on the rams forum again.

[grumpyoldram]

Hang on. Mr.Faal, who has served you for three seasons - and played no small part in some of your victories over that period - is the devil incarnate, whilst a player who has spent one season with your club before leaving for pastures new is given Nelson Mandela-esque hero status? I understand that you might be a little annoyed that he's leaving for your close rivals, but get a grip. Some of the misdirected and hypocritical bilge about 'loyalty' and 'oweing something' that has been spewed on here recently is ridiculous beyond belief.
Whatever spin your chairman might put on it, Steve Crossley is still leaving your club for another club one after only a season. Hardly magnificent loyalty, even if Mr.Sawyer states that he 'advised' him to leave in terms of career development. Thats not really showing much faith or confidence in the new coach he's employed and the development abilities he brings with him, or saying much for your club. Alex Walmsley is been touted as a SL prospect, and he plays for a club of similar stature to yourselves. I'd say that's a decent demonstration of the fact that you don't have to play for Featherstone to attract the attention of clubs at a higher level. Or was it just an attempt to save face?

I've no problem with faal leaving - yes he gave us three seasons, but was rubish for two of them (possibly because he was never fit). He has been a revelation this season, but has hardly repaid the faith shown in him by the club. He left hunslet - much to the disgust of the fans because we offered to pay for his operation. He's left us because Batley made him an offer he felt couldn't refuse (and maybe out of loyalty to WJ) and he'll leave you in due course to fulfil his ambition of playing for a fashionable (wealthy) club - thats life. More disappointed with GF who has rejoined a club whose fans were less than complimentary about him when he joined the rams but hey ho. The dogs have got two good players and I wish them both well, but I'm sure we'll survive very well without them.

[fredm]

Can we clear the George saga up - in the last close season, he and his agent, along with the other players, were offered a deal with a time scale for acceptance. It would appear that the agent did not keep George informed especially in relation to the timescale. So when no reply had been received Batley moved on to Plan B and signed another player. George then contacted the club, was told the initial offer had been withdrawn due to its non-acceptance within the timescale. He was offered another deal, presumably a lesser one, but felt unable to accept this. He therefore looked around for another club and signed for the Rams.

This is how the Batley club conduct their affairs with all contract proposals within their budget for the year. The suggestions on this board that people cannot understand how some clubs (presumably meaning Batley) can offer such financial terms (hinting at them being in excess at what Dewsbury are offering) do not stand up. The Batley club set their budget and this is what is put on the table to players. At no time in recent history have Batley ever been in danger of going into administration, pleading for more income yes, but have always kept their head above water.

[grumpyoldram]

Can we clear the George saga up - in the last close season, he and his agent, along with the other players, were offered a deal with a time scale for acceptance. It would appear that the agent did not keep George informed especially in relation to the timescale. So when no reply had been received Batley moved on to Plan B and signed another player. George then contacted the club, was told the initial offer had been withdrawn due to its non-acceptance within the timescale. He was offered another deal, presumably a lesser one, but felt unable to accept this. He therefore looked around for another club and signed for the Rams.

This is how the Batley club conduct their affairs with all contract proposals within their budget for the year. The suggestions on this board that people cannot understand how some clubs (presumably meaning Batley) can offer such financial terms (hinting at them being in excess at what Dewsbury are offering) do not stand up. The Batley club set their budget and this is what is put on the table to players. At no time in recent history have Batley ever been in danger of going into administration, pleading for more income yes, but have always kept their head above water.

Then GF signed for the club for purely mercenary reasons, and never felt any loyalty to the badge, in which case we're well shut of him. I loved GF as a player, and was among'st the first to complain about WJ's use of him - I thought (obviously wrongly) that he might have taken the fans to his heart and given them another season, or at least talk to the new coach, but now I realise we were just a political football, I'm really not bothered.