Angelic Cynic

Keighley Cougars are making a huge amount of noise because they have an interest in the sport of rugby league. Just think if they had been allowed into Super League in 1996 how much progress the innovative,entrepreneurial owner could have made for his clu ,and the sport. Sadly denied,the governing body then allowed irresponsible owners to take over. Even the other code have required help,and guidance, from MP's after allowing irresponsible owners to take charge of clubs. If,as in 25 years ago,your nearest and dearest require help - throwing them an expansion club may not help. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/mar/29/london-irish-insist-all-staff-will-be-paid-this-month-concern-finances-rugby-union

Stuart Andrew has a responsibility for sport.He will no doubt have to,whether he likes it or not,have his face next to certain people. Another MP,with similar responsibility would be Tracy Crouch,who has,a few years ago,attended a Challenge Cup Final. Where the Keighley Cougars owners mention marketing,it is not in relation to their club only;it is a whole sport approach.( They found the RFL lacked a Marketing Department.) The government, at the request of soccer fans,NOT club owners,led a review which recently led to changes - made by the government. This from a few years ago - https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/dec/07/tracey-crouch-expecting-premier-league-clubs-to-resist-any-regulation Interestingly, an elite club owner,while working in soccer,wanted money to filter down to lower league clubs. Seemingly,he has a change of mind with regard to rugby league https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/aug/02/ian-lenagan-football-league-fa-premier-league-chairman-efl-trophy

You find it embarrassing that living in a democracy,two owners of a sports club have approached elected representatives of a serving government and have such a compelling argument that the elected representatives not only found the time to listen,but did listen and support them? I suppose 'power grabs,by the elite owners,pressure on the governing body,demanding Super 8's be withdrawn,and foisting Robert Elstone on the sport was all fair and equitable.As for demanding additional monies from Toronto and Toulouse.....a very level playing field. I think autocratic Saudis will take over...

It was certainly in the 2nd half when the ref tried his utmost. On the subject of Gale,I ain't his biggest fan,but in the opening minute of the game there was a deliberate attempt with a flailing elbow to his head.It failed to connect and Gale just continued without any drama. I shall be viewing the recording to see if it shows. I cannot understand the criticism aimed at the head coach - but not Noble.Wasn't he appointed to assist? Yes.York and Odsal.Not the best destinations but as the side continues to improve the away results should start to pick up... I am still trying to work out why Holmes left Sheffield Eagles and went to Bradford with the reports of unrest from last season.It allowed Thackeray to postpone his earlier stated retirement and he seems to be enjoying it a bit more. I should really make efforts to find out day and kick off time for The Bash,at York. I shall see what the stadium is like on Good Friday.

I found it interesting that the non-league soccer club at Wrexham,the place where the soccer supporters warned about the individuals taking on the rugby league club (back in Super League days),attracted two,wealthy,American guys popular in Hollywood. They,being American,were 'fascinated' by promotion and relegation. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/oct/01/utterly-addictive-how-wrexham-took-over-reynolds-and-mcelhenney At the same time,that sport aligned promotion amongst the leagues to 3 clubs. The Wrexham club allowed the cameras in and the filming appears to have made an impact. A non - league soccer club in Wrexham. Netflix were happy with viewing figures showing a club being relegated. It seems little old town club,Wrexham,have universal interest,while rugby league world club champions don't. https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/wrexham-afc-still-national-league-can-get-promoted-2023.html/

I don't think it will happen,and ignoring team work index,the other code may be worth looking at as IMG seem to admire catchment areas, and the difference to both Ireland and Wales in the other code. Wales had 18 town clubs - now they have 4 region clubs.They are experiencing problems. Ireland,without any top level soccer clubs,made a success of their already established,rich in history,clubs. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2023/feb/26/wales-in-crisis-regions-the-bane-of-a-rugby-nation-facing-the-abyss

Big broadcast deal - and money NOT going to the clubs! Interesting times ahead....possibly.

Pretty impressive. All the new combinations, the new additions,and recent form of Bradford eg.beating Sheffield,last week,who defeated Toulouse yesterday,was a slight worry. Ended up making Bradford reminiscent of a League 1 side - despite what appeared to be a great deal of help from the referee to get them to score. Better offensively and defensively.Further improvement to hopefully continue. Enjoyable day with an enjoyable 80 minutes.Pleasure to be in attendance at Cougar Park while we completed 3 home wins against 3 city clubs,this year.

Size matters! Coaching,rugby league skills,application,team work,don't.

I saw this quote,today,from a former owner of a soccer club. On the subject of overseas ownership, no investor is spared his censure, including the type of American wealth fund which bought his beloved Chelsea. ‘The Arabs. Qataris, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Bahrain... clubs are either a rich man’s plaything or what’s even worse, we’ve [tried to] follow the American style where they’ve got five or six national games, each with 10, 12 clubs, no relegation, and they’re all owned by wealth management companies,’ he says. ‘It’s just an investment to them. You don’t win things any more, you buy them and I think it’s disgraceful. It’s not the game.’ I hadn't realised there was no promotion or relegation in any sport in the USA. I found this link - https://urbanpitch.com/why-promotion-and-relegation-will-never-happen-in-the-u-s/#:~:text=Professional Sports in the U.S. are Closed Systems&text=And yet%2C none of them have promotion and relegation. And this one,from last month - https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/explained-why-us-soccer-doesnt-have-relegation-and-promotion---and-will-mls-ever-change/7a2v9a1dga8v116cbjr5lspl1 Seems the closed shop is the way the sport has/will become from 2025.

A minutes applause for a gentleman https://keighleycougars.uk/cougars-announce-passing-of-volunteer-david-kirkley

There was weird me thinking why a League 1 side,in a town,close to other rugby league clubs,unlikely to gain promotion this year with onfield results,when I saw this - https://www.oldhamathletic.co.uk/news/2018/september/26092018-led-advertising/ Yep.IMG approved. Just wait till Keighley Cougars play at Turf Moor.Premier League soccer club.Huge catchment.That'll show 'em! Good luck Oldham.Brilliant by the previous owner,Mr Hamilton.He certainly had his critics but he has kept the club going and appears to have handed over to people capable of a much better future. Bravo,sir!

Some clubs were successful during Licensing when promotion was not allowed. Other clubs had dreadful owners. Anyway,rally round the saviours of the game. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/mar/22/rugby-league-could-go-part-time-again-warns-wakefield-trinity-chief-executive Rely on pesky foreigners to save old Blighty.

The omens have begun...in favour of the Cougars! The referee is the same as on the day in 2022 when promotion was confirmed with victory at Doncaster.Scott Mikalauskas. We have a good record when he referees our games. It was an unbeaten run,at that time,and now seems as good as any to commence another unbeaten run. The incremental improvement continued as we lost to what I consider to be the best side we have played in 2023,despite a larger defeat to Featherstone. I expect good displays from former Bulls players,Doyle,Gale and Chisholm;if selected. Looking forward to it...

Phil Caplan plays Devil's Advocate https://forty20rl.podbean.com/ The Keighley Cougars owners reply. ( starts approx 28 mins )

The Keighley owners were addressing a single point. For example - if in soccer,where 2 clubs from the same city are now long established clubs,with a history of success,they can draw on that history.If they were to start soccer,naming it as a regional club,ie West Midlands,it would fail to have a 'local' identity the 'locals' could identify with and may fail to capture a local audience. They articulated that it would be better for the clubs in London to identify a local area to garner support.No soccer club,in London,is named London. The 'organic growth' was a reference to Cornwall and Midlands Hurricanes- despite the sterling work undertaken at Coventry. There is a shortage of community clubs thriving in Cornwall. The Keighley Cougars owners are as keen as the rest of us with regards to expansion. Business people identified and permitted to make decisions about the sport should address the issue. It seems London may be under the microscope - with the name remaining. Well,I suppose the other code has London Irish...

Keighley Cougars have made their comments based on sports-centric observations. They have experience of not being allowed access to the inaugural season of Super League in the 1990's. It was the 'incompetents' at the RFL who initiated the broadcast deal with Sky,on which Super League has been dependent for all the past years. As I type this it is IMG who are bungling along with no plans which doesn't benefit anyone form top to bottom as the whole sport requires a very serious root and branch review. What is the long term plan that you mention? What are the benefits to the sport, as it seems any money goes to IMG? How do young players benefit? Will coaching improve? Should I expect the national side to win a World Cup in the future?

I thought the team selection may have been based around the fact that Halifax had been involved in an energy sapping Challenge Cup game at Featherstone. It may also reflect that the League 1 players,having more time to understand 'the process' are more accustomed to it. The Director of Rugby ran off to York and we were left with a small,injury -riddled squad.Luke Gale only arrived in December. I was not in the slightest impressed with the less than required pitch markings or less than required enhancement of the 40 metres lines. I did like the look of Halifax.If Mr Rush isn't seen for the remainder of the season;I won't object. Rhys stated he had been involved for a long time over the dual reg agreement. Strange time to announce it - when the Hull KR lot are in France. No comments from any of the Hull KR coaching staff.Just from the CEO! He doesn't like the reserve team arrangements. I struggle to see how they will be training to learn 'the process'. I worry about how Phoenix LT played for us - before quickly being signed for KR. I worry about the agent for Luke Gale and his close association with KR. Being in the shop window was how we lost a staff member, very quickly,last year. I hope to be feeling more optimistic in the coming weeks.I may start to save up for Wembley to keep confidence high. It was yet another half back pairing.Two,new,threequarter pairings.Changes in the pack. Still early in the season,though. Hull KR are following us.We take the lead on injuries.We announce the arrangement. They sustain 4 head injuries in France. We'll have a good news day.One day.I shall endeavour to be the one to announce it. Keep the faith.Trust The Process.

The 2019 performance levels were good - as they started the season with a 12 points deduction. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/46994143

It is quite strange when you consider soccer,but do NOT compare and contrast the round ball game with rugby league,and find the cities have 2 clubs which occupy the followers of the sport. Liverpool and Everton.Manchester - United and City.Birmingham and Aston Villa. Nottingham - Forest and County etc. Equally strange is that IMG are involved with Endeavour. A company under the Endeavour umbrella is One Sixty Over Ninety. Their slogan is... Culture Over Everything. Except if it involves heartlands rugby league clubs deprived of broadcast deal monies for decades. https://www.160over90.com/

It's a change to the entire sport. If the idea is to gain a better broadcast deal by having a better product then surely improving the product,via the players and coaching is the way ahead. The Ladies side and wheelchair sides formed themselves - no club owners woke up one day and decided to start them.They formed themselves and eventually got themselves under the club umbrella. The suits and brains haven't consulted the players or coaches. Have they done any data.Castleford not permitted an elite Academy because of the lack on international call ups? When there has been an Australian head coach and an ex-Wigan head coach? Not really fair - particularly when Denis Betts assisted Wayne Bennett and Dennis Betts had 2 artificial promotions with Widnes Vikings and Newcastle Thunder.Didn't win games on the pitch. Performances on the field for Castleford Academy may not have helped. Anyway,one thing,I am now beginning to think one man,a solicitor,Rod Findlay,did more work in a shorter period of time,with Licensing,than any of the number of IMG experts it has taken to come up with this smudge,hitherto. LED advertising! Way to go!

If you watched most of that at which pertinent point did you stop watching? As for moaners,wasn't it Hudgell who moaned about the RFL Disciplinary and was allowed a fair bit of power above that usually permitted to a club owner? I could mention people moaning at a certain time in history which allowed Wilberforce to make a name for himself? Should no one have complained,or moaned about that? With the reputation of American businessmen * buying 'distressed assets' and making profits,perhaps the Super League owners allowed the top of the sport to become 'distressed' and needed USA assistance. LED advertising hoardings will obstruct the view of our officials.They already face more than enough criticism from those in Super League. Will the Gradings be removed if the Dockhouse 2 make better Hot Dogs than the stadia people where Super League games are held? *and/or businesswomen.

Excellent,thank you. A pleasure to listen to an interview conducted by intelligents interviewers who allow the interviewees the time to answer the salient points without interruption. Good to draw out the unexpurgated truth.

I suppose a discussion could centre around which player Michael Knowles would replace in our squad.Would he start in the halves? Not his usual position. He was bandaged more than any of our players. Yes,I was impressed by Thomas Doyle doing an 80 minutes stint.I thought the team spirit,togetherness,and determination was admirable. Tough game on Sunday. Looking forward to it - and any announcements. I thought our defence did show signs of improvement. I think it will continue...

Jolly good - but they have remained stagnant in the lowest semi -professional tier since they entered the competition. As for the data which IMG putatively possess.....How come St James Park. Newcastle drew almost the same attendance for the first England v Samoa game,than the England v Samoa World Cup semi final at The Emirates.Arsenal soccer ground? Is there really such a huge interest amongst all those people in the south?