gazza77

I never said they were, just that all of them have a benefactor who appears to be in it for the long haul.

Note the source.

I was brought up and schooled in Ponte, before moving away to uni in 95 and never met a Cas fan whilst there until 6th form, when Cas and Ponte schools merged at NEW college. Maybe times have changed, it's 30 years since I left, and tbh what you say wouldn't suprise me given the time Fev have been out of the top flight and that Cas and Pontefract have become far closer in terms of residential development over that time. As we both say, no harm in dreaming.

The catchment area isn't (or at least shouldn't) be any smaller than several other clubs. Pontefract, Knottingley, Ackworth were all Fev areas when I was growing up, so comparable with the catchment for Cas, Leigh, Warrington, Widnes, etc. Whether they'd be able to draw a bigger fanbase back however after 30 years outside the topflight is another matter, albeit likely to be a moot point anyway. Yes, Fev are never likely to be there biggest club. Still no reason that they shouldn't be up there until we reach the promised land of "big city" teams however. It just needs someone with deep pockets and willing to keep throwing money at it long term, same as Huddersfield, Leigh, Warrington and so many other clubs that are benefactor dependent. At the moment however, that just feels like wishful thinking for those of us who dare to dream.

I do wonder whether MC did genuinely take his eye off the ball over the last 12-18 months due to other circumstances and this is down to Vickers, or whether he was fully aware of what was going on and banking on SL funding in 2024 to solve the problem. Either way, it's not a good look, nor good outcome, and we're unlikely to ever know for sure. Love or loathe MC, he's put a lot of money into the club, supported some great developments (new stands, etc.) and this ending leaves any legacy from that 17 or so years being badly tainted at best.

As a Fev fan, please can you take it all offline again for a bit.

A new twist, quickly debunked.

The amount of money and effort put in over his time with us is admirable, and I'd thank him for that. Would I agree with every decision made or statement made: no, but then they aren't mine to make. What next? Irrespective of the depth of their pockets, I'd quite like to see a broader board made up of individuals with a variety of different skills. That needs those individuals to step forward however, with a view of using their expertise to run the club in a sustainable yet developing manner. Wakey and Cas have both recently discovered benefactors, is there someone else who has been waiting for MC to step back before throwing money at the club? Whatever the outcome, the Fev rollercoaster continues...

Paul Alexander, the man in the iron lung. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-68555051

It's to actively support and encourage the growth of grassroots rugby league - while increasing the community use of their facilities. In theory, it's a good idea. Is it really needed though: without having any context as to the actual reduction, is it likely to be an issue other than twice against Wakey? Given my slightly tongue in cheek comment, but with a potentially serious point that this may actually increase our IMG score (caveat, I don't definitely know either way), then could the funding be better used elsewhere? It would be good to have sight as to the intended use of the council funding however, whatever the plan is.

IMG bonus, better stadium utilisation points with a lower capacity.

Ask his sponsor for more details.

Is Coolie one of them?

Don't both clubs have to agree pricing for cup games?

"The potential move of Paul Turner to the UK, specifically to Featherstone Rovers, marks a significant moment in rugby league's ongoing narrative of player movement and international influence. As clubs continue to scout for talent that can alter their fortunes, players like Turner stand at the crossroads of opportunity and ambition, ready to make their mark in new territories. The outcome of this move could not only shape Turner's career but also influence the strategic direction of the clubs and leagues involved, making this a development worth watching in the coming months." https://bnnbreaking.com/sports/kiwi-playmaker-paul-turner-eyes-uk-move-featherstone-rovers-show-interest-amid-nrl-interest

Who would have thought that this potential move could signal something so fundamental in the history of rugby league. "The potential move of Paul Turner to the UK, specifically to Featherstone Rovers, marks a significant moment in rugby league's ongoing narrative of player movement and international influence. As clubs continue to scout for talent that can alter their fortunes, players like Turner stand at the crossroads of opportunity and ambition, ready to make their mark in new territories. The outcome of this move could not only shape Turner's career but also influence the strategic direction of the clubs and leagues involved, making this a development worth watching in the coming months." https://bnnbreaking.com/sports/kiwi-playmaker-paul-turner-eyes-uk-move-featherstone-rovers-show-interest-amid-nrl-interest Callum Walker, eat your heart out.

Fev. Football fan as a kid, encouraged by mum to not glory hunt and support local. She, as her side of the family were (my dad's side were Welsh, so no RL affiliation) were from Cas. I was brought up in Pontefract however, and at that time at least (late 80s to early 90s), want that you were Fev fan. At that time at least, the M62 was the dividing line.

Always came across as a genuine and interesting bloke, different to so many TV chefs. RIP.

It might have been concern about the envelope going missing.

He's going through rehab for an injury, rather than being "unfit".

Email replies have never been great imo. Best option is the oldest of schools (bar in person), phone and ask.

Depends if the fee covers the potential lost revenue if we get off to a loosing start in the league due to only having one halfback on the books, and speccies loose interest. Time will tell, not that we'd be able to compare to the parallel universe where Reynolds stays. That said, no point in keeping anyone who would rather be playing elsewhere.

Bradford United?

Options probably thin on the ground as mentioned by TPH, hence HKRs persistence. Overseas potentially an option, I wonder if any of the current or past Oz players have any contacts or recommendations.

Only a couple of years since we had Morgan Smith, Chizzy, Jonno Ford & Tom Holmes more or less at the same time. Feast or famine for us at half back.