Bull Mania

I don't mind our kit. Think you have to have modern twist every now and then. Only so many times you can have a variation of a traditional kit (look at the many comments about oxen running out of ideas) Also the traditional kit will always be loved by the older fans and those of us who post on forums, but how many of us who love traditional actually buy the kit? It's normally the younger fans, which this will appeal to more. One of my mate thinks this is the best kit in years, the other hates it. Never going to please everyone.

According to our fixture list R1 of the 1895 Cup isn't until 1/2 March. I think the early rounds of the CC are used to determine who also qualifies for the knockout stages of the 1895 Cup. So York are just using they free weekend of 2nd Feb and then they're level with everyone else.

I think it's got to be something they look at. Personally I haven't brought super league + as I have sky and can see all SL games on there. Even then there's only so much SL I can watch and I'm not really interested in watching 11th V 12th. If there was more variety featuring the different parts of the sport, I'd be much more tempted to purchase it. People enjoy different arms of the sport eg some like wheelchair, women's, championship/L1, community game etc also have a magazine show like backchat etc. Yes there's a cost but if you don't invest in your product, people won't buy it.

I kind of got why they rejected it. As much as I would have loved to see games televised and would have subscribed, they would have made a loss financially and had little to no exposure as its tucked away on a very niche channel. Always thought this is where OuRLeague missed the boat (typical RL) they have so much RL to offer on a steaming service now and I think many RL fans would have subscribed. Saturday Midday - community/amateur game. Saturday afternoon - women's SL game. Sunday midday - wheelchair game Sunday evening - championship game.

That's a belting shirt from Batley IMO

Why would I hope for Toulouse to go bust?

Never felt there was enough scrutiny on the WC results or John Dutton who seemed to be presented as a messiah by the RL media. Don't get me wrong, covid had an impact but I've said it before that the WC got some basics hopelessly wrong, which was unforgivable as the 2013 nailed them. Purchasing tickets was a nightmare. The advertisements of "last few tickets remaining" when grounds weren't even a quarter full. Pricing was too high when you were relying on the same groups of people to attend multiple games in that area. Covid may have been the reason for a loss, but the actually organisation of the tournament I thought was really really poor.

Are we confident Toulouse will make it? https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/fragile-championship-club-facing-fresh-financial-issues-as-funding-cuts-possible

There has to be changes to some of the IMG stuff for it to be a success. Stuff like this undermines the whole process, whether you love IMG or not. The thing that I don't understand is all other metrics are graded on current situations eg Bradford rightly won't get any points for displaying a pretty picture of a tarted up odsal (insert joke here) Yet the financial pillar, this doesn't seem to be the case which you could argue is the most important. Even Salford have said they're financially unsustainable on the current stadium deal. If the stadium deal doesn't go through in 6 months time, Salford will be bankrupt. So I don't see how they can be graded as a sustainable club currently. It's not just Salford, Halifax tripled their financial score despite facing financial oblivopono throughout the year. I'm not saying everytime a club enters special measures or needs an advanced payment img points should be docked as things happen. But when off field is deciding who sits at the top table, to not lose any points for being in special measures TWICE in 12 months, or multiple WUP like Fax, it makes a mockery of it.

In fairness it's the third year in a row they've had "short term cash issues" Great news though! Salford are a great historic club. The sport can't afford to be losing any clubs. Happy for the fans too as having being there ourselves on multiple occasions, its tough to take. Really hope they sort themselves out though, and not thinking this stadium deal or billboard are the silver bullet. This does feel like the final straw though and I don't think the sport will be willing for anymore advanced payments after today.

Add Into that they've just had a season where the finished 4th so higher than normal crowds you would assume and a massive play off vaue verus Leigh. Throw in a bad season where crowds inevitably fall, then what?

Some Salford fans on social media think this billboard will be the latest saviour of the club. Reckon it will bring in millions. Even if it does, it still takes time to get planning permission, install and negotiate contracts etc According to the article below salford will have used up 38% of their central distribution already if they get the early payment.

Feel for Salford fans (I've been there as have many other fans) Just kicking the can down the road isn't it sadly. How long a time period does the £500k sky payment cover? A couple of months? This mythical stadium deal isn't worth £500k every few months. Even if it was that could easily be offset by a poor season. Salford have just finished 4th and must have made £70k+ from their play-off game against Leigh alone. A bad season where crowds drop off and they don't get play-off ticket money and we're here again.

If the DW or Headingley are booked heads need to roll at the RFL. Think small time, get small time.

Well the last generation was Slater/Inglis/Thurston/Cronk/Lockyer/Smith. It's a wonder we got near them. We CAN bear them. With the carrot of playing on a home ashes series, I'm hoping many of the English boys go up a level with their performances this year. Players like Welsby need a big year.