bigbaldnmad

If this was the case the gradings would be less contentious.

Player development can only improve if all clubs that wish to run an academy are allowed to do so... otherwise the RFL pick who it wants to give points to. A bit like Eurovision

Not every team are allowed to run an academy, so how on earth can this be a valid measurable criteria.

YES

Initial gradings

So who would have chosen Alex Walker over either Killer or Aikens? Who would have chosen Parata over Connor Jones. My guess is not many... you cant sign em all, some you win... some you lose.

By all clubs, do you mean that? At the moment there are only SL teams (although one SL club this year were not allowed to run an academy side), and a select number of championship clubs that can run academies. My club were forced to disband their self funded academy 12 years ago. Academies are really good, but they also damage the u16/17/18 sides of the community clubs. Managing to get 17 and 18 year old's, who are not attached to academies, to turn down the lure of beer and young ladies to play the next day is nigh on impossible. And what happens is clubs are not restricted to where they sign players from. A perfect example is Riley Dean, a Halifax born player, playing in the Warrington academy, around 50 miles away. Perhaps clubs should have an area in which they can sign players. Another question, and I am sure someone may know the answer, but how may players do an academy pick up each year, and how many are converted into first team players? Assuming there are 10 players per SL academy (assuming that the academy has u17/18/19 players on an even split in a 30 player squad) that will be 120 players a year, but I would be surprised if any more than 30 make it. When I was involved at community club level, very few of the academy 'rejects' came back, they were often disillusioned by RL. Not sure what the answer is, there are arguments both ways, but it does championship clubs no favors' if the local talent can be signed by clubs 40/50 miles away instead of representing their local clubs.

Blame those that took it off topic....

Just fill it in... and have done with.

This is the thinking that IMG have instigated, blame IMG, SL and the RFL.

Add to that, the fact that they have been allowed to continue running an academy, while other championship clubs were forced to disband theirs, with the exception of Newcastle and London. That is 10 years of having an advantage of developing their own players, while other sides have had to 'buy' a team. I know that they fund it themselves, but other clubs who ran self funded academies were forced to disband them The level playing field that all clubs should have, ceased to exist when the RFL showed clear favoritism for one heartland club over all the others. Like most others, it's the club and the RFL I detest, not the Bradford fans.

See that Hugh Taylor, who sponsored Joey this year is Ben Reynolds sponsor. Guess that confirms Joey has been released.

Hope we retain Lacans and Cozza as well.

Fev's average this season was 3100, and I think would have been more last season.

One thing I do think, is that the £250k plus sponsorship will be considerably lower next year.

As I said, we have been led to believe that we are more or less self sufficient. The letter from MC didn't tell me that he was ploughing 'substantial' amounts in, but more accounting for any shortfall in budgeting. Of course, I don't know... it's just what we are told by the club. We will all see come next season.

I'm sure there will still be plenty still going, although I must admit I won't be getting a season ticket but will go to most games, I will only miss when I am away. Out of interest I was looking at season tickets at some of the SL clubs, as Fev's is £270 this year (next season). I could go to watch the Rhinos, for £200 standing and £250 seated in the south stand wings. Alternatively I could get a ST as a new supporter at Wigan for £284. Couldn't be bothered looking elsewhere but it shows that championship is not much cheaper than SL.

First of all, congratulations to London for the win last night, the best team won and good look for next week. I am not sure what you perceive Fev have done wrong and where this trying to buy their way into SL. MC does not put large amounts of money into the club, more the club spending the money generated through the usual revenue streams. At the beginning of the season it was announced we had £250k in brand new sponsorship, over and above existing sponsors. Add into that the £240k from the 1200 season tickets @£200 and then revenue from the rest of the gate receipts. The average attendance over the season (league games) was around 3100, so 1900 extra spectators. Knock off 400 for kids, and assume that of the other 1500 split 500 as concessions @£10 = £5k and 1000 @20 = £20k. So that is £25k over 13 games, so in total £325k. You are already looking at over £800k without taking into account merchandise, food and beer sales, hospitality etc. The club house has regular functions and open for other events, and hired out by businesses for the conference facilities. These are of course, my back of a fag packet figures. So if spending money that is revenue generated by the club, then I suppose that they are trying to play the system, in exactly the same way that any club in SL is in comparison to the lowest spenders. What are they supposed to do?

Giving some youngsters a run, from where? Most championship teams, except London, Newcastle and Bradford are not allowed to run academy teams. I am sure that teams like Fev, Halifax etc would love to be able to bring lads through.

It is, but £270 for a championship season, bearing in mind a lot of people won't be able to get to all games. I will go to games, at £25 a game, but getting a season ticket where missing 3 games puts you out of pocket.

I think most fans are not wishing to jinx the team, but I would expect to win comfortably. I think we will be too strong and too organised, both in attack and defence. We seem far more composed, and prepared, than last year... I think we will take some stopping.

Not a surprise.... Bradford home attendance figures are totally fabricated, and from the videos on the Bradford twitter account the support in Toulouse looks nowhere near 1000, as claimed. Would be interested to know the official attendance.

30 - 20

It's called Odslum for a reason...

So far there have been no upsets in the play off's, there is always at least one. Let hope we don't under perform and that if there is one, it isn't us.