glemiln

I just hope that the Championship and what remains of mini League 1 can use this opportunity collectively. Surely, a combined Championship (eg, a single league or as 2 regional conferences) would provide greater exposure and financial opportunities? Over to those hopefully with a finger on the pulse - seize the day!

Good signing of Luke Helmes from Oldham - maybe others from the dark side? Perhaps the 7 Doncaster players released https://t.co/0LDXoD23K1 will attract interest? With League 1 remaining as just 9 clubs for next season, does that mean no extra fixtures?

Some delay, it appears…”But since all this, it’s just a sh** tip – and it’s right by the stadium….” https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjgm_7Qw8iBAxUpWEEAHbzVDk8QFnoECA4QAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.manchesterworld.uk%2Fnews%2Fembarrassing-estate-on-edge-of-etihad-stadium-left-in-limbo-4246731&usg=AOvVaw2oq_RYH-pzRXqfKoD79-7I&opi=89978449

Castleton and Partington St must have been quite a scrum - hopefully Hornets can attract similar+ in due course! Perhaps Sheridan can return to better pastures after being released ( 1 of 12) by Oldham, and hopefully fully recovered after his bad injury.

https://roughyeds.co.uk/2023/09/roughyeds-announce-departures/ 12 players departing Oldham when their contracts finish 30th, not 5 November!

“At the end of the 2024 season, the club finishing bottom of Super League could retain its place if it scores higher in the 20-point system than either a top-flight side or the top team in the second-tier Championship.” (ie., no longer wholly determined by on-field performance, which constitutes only 25% of a club’s grade under the Grading Criteria). “Teams are ranked from 1-36 based on league positions (where they finish after the play-offs), and that these numbers are compiled over three seasons”. For now, with the loss of Skolars, we have to await if the few remains of League 1 are merged into one Championship (or perhaps two ‘regional’ ones?). After 12 years (or perhaps less) IMG may improve clubs generally, with interest mainly to those hopefully young enough to wait….and like spreadsheets! The 60’s onwards, despite its ups, downs and occasionally mud, were not too bad!

"My guess would by 24 game season....." Seems very reasonable with an extra match against the neighbours! Perhaps IMG will influence any solution with a modified Championship in due course?

I guess a few of us may still remember the effects of sampling Friday night amber potions at the Flying Horse!

After Oldham’s very close loss today, they are reporting in the trl forum that 75% of their players are leaving! Presumably, not all to Hornets? At least we can look forward to continuing our historic rivalry and hopefully decent crowds.

Martyn Ridyard too -according to Oldham's "squad for 2024" forum, with Hewitt leaving us.

Within TRL forum 23/8 "transfer/rumour mill 22/23" - "Jordan Turner to Oldham as Player Coach" The name Turner is mentioned in your "Squad for 2024".

And on another distant planet……”The Premier League’s first £2bn transfer window concluded last night…..and a £200m cliff-hanger ending that was suitably Saudi-themed. Welcome to a new era in English football’s top flight, where £100m is the new going rate for elite midfielders…..”. More important, in contrast, on the main forum is discussion of the new book“Hope and Glory: Rugby League in Thatcher's Britain”. We have to hope that clubs below Super League, especially in League 1, are totally involved in and by IMG under their 12 year plans. A second edition of “Tides of History” will be interesting reading, for those still around! Meanwhile, good luck for a better new season.

https://t.co/M2laTfjMpd Link to Andy Mazey’s end of season message to fans. Look forward to our future developments and a much improved season in 2024. Reminder: next season there is neither promotion to, nor relegation from Championship; also that in 2025 IMG’s “criteria” influences the final outcome of the leagues.

Neither promotion nor relegation in 2024 in readiness for IMG's full tenure in 2025 - for 12 years.

It will be interesting how IMG react given they are now calling the shots. Clubs have their illustrative grades for next season which come into play for 2025. With neither promotion nor relegation next season, perhaps it will give Skolars and others time to consolidate. Play-offs will be in place - and performance on and off the field will be reflected in IMG’s “Criteria”. Perhaps even thoughts to consolidating League 1 and the Championship, if the former gets any smaller?

If it's any compensation, Oldham lost at home to Midlands - but of course Oldham is in the play-offs = £££ and potential promotion this season. Next season there is neither promotion nor relegation, but IMG criteria will start to kick-in ready for 2025.

…18-12 loss to Cornwall….. Hornets conceding a try/conversion in the very last minute. A much longer journey home. A good result for Cornwall, which may augur well for them next season. Enjoy the break and hope plans/results for next season bring a much better ending for Hornets.

IMG initiative: revamp includes qualifying rounds for the Championship, League 1 and the community game. Those 12 clubs qualifying would join the 12 Super League clubs. 24 teams would then be placed into eight groups of three, with each team playing one game at home, and one away, in a round-robin format. It is thought teams would be seeded to ensure groups were evenly split. The eight group winners would then enter the quarter-finals. https://t.co/SVyBgIRK5h

I’ll be surprised if League 1 as it stands lasts beyond 2024 after IMG consolidates its future objectives.

They have decided not to come oop north on Wednesday night, so Hornets will finish its season in Cornwall on Sunday. Well, assuming that our team coach can get there on the Bank Holiday for 1pm. Will Skolars manage a trip to Wales to finish the season? Enjoy the play-offs. https://t.co/kGsNKDtOkr

Match “postponed”, so prepare for the Cornish pleasures! https://t.co/kGsNKDtOkr

Very cruel to lose in the final minute today in what unfolded as a great contest (via social media). A near 1400 gate too! Hope those players involved in the clash of heads are ok. It was great to see that some of the class of 2013 were in attendance, unfortunately not with the same Hornets’ victory. Good luck to the Biffs on their play-offs; although I think they could miss our company! Now for Gary to revive the bodies/minds and conjure quickly another team to meet Skolars on Wednesday night at the Crown, then for the surf & turf at Cornwall next Sunday Bank holiday lunchtime. Hopefully we will ensure finishing the season on a high with a view to next season.

Oldham Platters……..”Red sails in the sunset” https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjq8oKEzOaAAxWDCuwKHcPXC6oQsPgBegQIKxAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DJF-f9V6BTXU&usg=AOvVaw1e4HTjqGwkrt3oy_Vpwdvz&opi=89978449 Red sails in the sunset Way out on the sea Oh, carry my loved one Home safely to me She sailed at the dawning All day I've been blue Red sails in the sunset I'm trusting in you Swift wings you must borrow Make straight for the shore We marry tomorrow And she goes sailing no more Red sails in the sunset Way out on the sea Oh, carry my loved one Home safely to me Red sails in the sunset Way out on the sea (ooh-wee-ooh, wee-ooh) Oh, carry my loved one Home safely to me Would worry about the vocals/lyrics with an Oldham twang and after a few pints (especially the voiced second line in the last verse)!

This week, after 150 years, rugby league commenced its change with all clubs given IMG scores (based “historically”). “As such, the numbers given to clubs at present are not the be all and end all and certainly do not reflect the grades that clubs could get ahead of the 2024 season. The numbers that will matter will come when the information from this season is collated and included – features which include league positions, cup wins (if applicable), finances, attendances and community work. That information will be shared with clubs after the 2023 season finishes with grades given to clubs on the back of that. Those grades will then be publicised later in the year, but, even then, those grades will be indicative given the fact thatj there will still be promotion and relegation for 2023 with a view to the 2024 season.” This season is the last of traditional promotion and relegation. in all three divisions. Illustrative “grades” will be announced for 2024 and fully implemented for 2025 (and reassessed annually). Presumably, any promotion/relegation in 2025 will not be determined solely by on-field performance! Continuing on-field rivalry with our neighbours in 2024 will of course depend on Sunday’s match, the 2023 play-offs and presumably with any future cup ties. Best wishes for a great crowd on Sunday and of course a superb Hornets victory.

After the major debacle in 2022 ( not by us) of Rochdale losing the prestige/£ of hosting England v Fiji, surely there will be a better outcome if Fiji come here in 2024? “If all goes to plan – and it rarely does – two Tri Nations tournaments will be played in the southern hemisphere each October while a seventh Pacific nation tours the northern hemisphere: Tonga this year, presumably Samoa or Fiji next year, before England’s men and women go to Australia in 2025 for the first men’s Ashes there since 1992, the first not involving Great Britain since before the Second World War, and the first ever Women’s Ashes series.” 3rd paragraph: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/no-helmets-required/2023/aug/04/rugby-league-swaps-inclusion-pragmatism-next-world-cup-irl