bigbaldnmad

So much for getting rid of the over 30's...

While being asked to pay membership prices more expensive than a lot of SL and all championship clubs.

I assume that JD didn't fit in Fords plans. Can't image he was a top earner as he was part time, but not popular with the fans letting him go.

JD wasn't offered a contract, which hasn't been popular with the fans. Obviously Ford doesn't rate him as I can't imagine he was one of the top earners.

I do hope so.

Still got my original replica shirt... it just doesn't fit any more

From 1990/1991 The away shirt was the same design but red and white.

Obviously not putting sponsors off.. New sponsorship deal

Ordered mine, to go away to santa... Also ordered a hoodie, every bit helps.

Almost identical to the old 'Copy Consultants' kit, which was also by Ellgren. That should go down well.

Where does £70k come from?

According to Wakey new owner thread, Eden and Massey to Wakefield.... I do hope so.

Apparently he's a choker...

Just checked back on the MOM voting totals, and Smith didn't get any points, there were 25 players that did... I suppose that demonstrates how average he was.

There has to be some doubt, just as long as he does what is best for Josh.

So would I, but he is on the list on page 1, so I added him.

So Hankinson, Jones, Day, Bussey, Hardy, Lacans, Yei, Longstaff and Evans not announced as leaving.

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....