Manxmanc

It's just been announced on the BBC that football is returning in June. As RL was taking the lead from football, does this mean the season could get under way soon?

I think the thread intimates the main reason - there are official nicknames that are part of the title, and there are other nicknames/appellations etc. that are in common use. In the example of St Helens, they have been known as the Saints since the dark ages; it's simply unnecessary to add Saint to St (Saint). In the example of Hull FC, simply using Hull would leave potential confusion with the other Hull, particularly for those more loosely connected with RL. As I guess the fans are happy with the FC, there's no need for Sharks or whatever. It has been commented that Wire and Chemics would not work in the official names, but the current situation allows these traditional names to be used alongside the newer nicknames which have some popularity. Everyone can be happy. Passage of time seems to determine which nicknames stick. The Rhinos and Tigers seem to be here to stay, but Wildcats and City Reds are gone forever I guess. I wonder what are the most likely nicknames to disappear next.

And I gather it is exclusively for Canadian athletes.

It looks like there are some great programmes out there. There's a link on the Total RL Collectors Forum, but if anyone fancies adding to the 583 Rugby league Programmes entered so far, they would be very welcome. All entries so far have been submitted by two Total RL members.

I don't usually go out in the week, but thought I'd pop in. It's reassuringly ordinary...what's that? The Taylor's Landlord has just gone off. Had me worried for a minute... the barmaid is just pulling through a new barrel of Holt's Bitter. It's a bit quiet - still it's only a Tuesday. Cheers - I'll just park myself in the corner and chill out.

I'm in that camp, too.

I watched a number of BBC/Sky sports reports this morning which highlighted two sports which were still running as normal - horse racing and rugby league - and showed footage.

I'm now able to login in on the laptop. If want to switch from your phone, you should get most of the second half.

I can log in on my phone, but not on a laptop.

I thought it was just me.

Ottawa O Strength, I heard.

Ah, the Manx national dish.

I think it's good to have a variety of personnel, from the ex=players who can get across what it's like on the field, to the clued up strategist, even to the newcomer to the game who looks at from a different viewpoint. Jenna has the interview skills. She doesn't settle for a "We'll have to work on some things for next week", but digs down to the 'What will you work on?". Jon Wells knows his stuff, and its great to see newly-arrived antipodeans realising this. Brian Carney has great enthusiasm and appreciation of the game as a link man, and that fact that he comes from a very different sporting backround adds to his effectiveness. Barrie is a bit old school, but I think this is OK. He's able to bring across what's it like to be in the rough and tumble on the pitch, and is very enthusiastic. Terry is similar, but not perhaps as effective. I would prefer to keep Barrie and Terry apart for variety. Bill Arthur and Rod Studd do their jobs well enough but, again, I'd like to see them matched with a insightful ex-player. Some people pick on the northernerness of it all. Whilst having other voices helps to get across the game's wider appeal, I never think anyone should be apologising for their northern accent, or the number of northern accents on show. You wouldn't ask a Scotsman or Irishman to drop their accent.

Not forgetting Leigh Centurions, Rochdale Hornets, Swinton Lions and Oldham,, in addition to the two Super League clubs.

That's a more realistic view as their is, actually, some optimism at Salford at the moment. One selected crowd figure seems to have been used as the basis for regurgitating old arguments to the effect that there is little interest in RL in 'Manchester;'.