Dan Taye-Sinferno Posted January 7 Share Posted January 7 Re Peter Tiffin and the administration of the Raiders - the club appear to be making the same mistakes every year. To date they seem to have announced only 4 players signed so far, they have no head coach and the three assistant coaches would seem to have little rugby league coaching experience. Last season when they had only nine players available initially for the Barrow match I heard that it was two of the players who did most of the chasing round to fill the gaps and this season it would appear could be similar. There are difficulties of course, the geographical isolation of the club, the presence of a world famous union club in town etc. but the great potential for a successful club in South Wales,which most people would hopefully welcome, is presently being wasted. I wish the Raiders all the best and would love to see them prosper but I fear for the worst. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy King's Boots Posted January 7 Share Posted January 7 On 26/12/2021 at 01:09, del capo said: Can't be done in a day by plane. First ' northern ' opposition game seems to be against Rochdale. in May. Flying saturday returning monday ( ko 13.00 sunday ) costs £118 return at present on Skyscanner .. Long weekend break is the only realistic option for flying travelling fans. £500 out of the wallet if you travel that way ? Yerah - we play them bank holiday weekend. Expect travel carnage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshmagpie Posted January 7 Share Posted January 7 (edited) 3 hours ago, EggFace said: Whats he done as never heard of him till now ? He runs Raiders, I have absolutely nothing against him personally as I’m sure he’s a lovely fellow but his skill set to run a club professionally is non-existent. But take one look at WWR’s website and social media - it’s littered with spelling mistakes, grammatical errors and is generally all very amateur. I’d give them this if it was still Year 1 but by now you’d hope to see development in these areas. Tiffin is responsible for all of these things. The club has no ‘plan’ in terms of its brand both on and off the field. They’ve not even put season tickets on sale yet. About 4 weeks ago they tweeted that ST’s would be released the following Saturday and still nothing. Poor. Edited January 7 by welshmagpie 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hello Posted January 7 Share Posted January 7 1 hour ago, welshmagpie said: He runs Raiders, I have absolutely nothing against him personally as I’m sure he’s a lovely fellow but his skill set to run a club professionally is non-existent. But take one look at WWR’s website and social media - it’s littered with spelling mistakes, grammatical errors and is generally all very amateur. I’d give them this if it was still Year 1 but by now you’d hope to see development in these areas. Tiffin is responsible for all of these things. The club has no ‘plan’ in terms of its brand both on and off the field. They’ve not even put season tickets on sale yet. About 4 weeks ago they tweeted that ST’s would be released the following Saturday and still nothing. Poor. They do seem to be a bit of a shambles, but in fairness the fact that sports are not allowed any spectators currently and indefinitely in Wales makes it awkward to try and flog season tickets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OriginalMrC Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 Cornwall rightly chose not to enter the challenge Cup this year so they have a little time. West Wales have 3 weeks to get a head coach, sign 15 players and do pre season training before their first match of the season. I'm sure it will be fine 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swansea Jack Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 21 hours ago, Dan Taye-Sinferno said: . There are difficulties of course, the geographical isolation of the club, the presence of a world famous union club in town etc. but the great potential for a successful club in South Wales,which most people would hopefully welcome, is presently being wasted. I wish the Raiders all the best and would love to see them prosper but I fear for the worst. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swansea Jack Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 Just now, Swansea Jack said: As a supporter of the Raiders I share your concern. The web site is non-existent. You can not expect support if you do not connect with your fans, Is this yet another false start in South Wales? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiffers Posted January 10 Share Posted January 10 (edited) Neil Kelly live on BBC Radio Cornwall this morning with a really upbeat tone. Stating 35 or so lads at the open trial yesterday. 80% Cornish lads with a lot of RU background. Although, interestingly, a number travelled down from the north to trial. Not helped by atrocious weather over the weekend meaning a last minute change of venue from Penryn to Newquay. He also revealed they are expecting 15 or so first team contracts to be handed out to local lads and there are a number of contract offers out with players looking to finalise terms. Kelly admits they are behind the curve and they need to be in pre-season training ASAP. Sounds like a number of players will finish their RU season to then join up with the squad in the spring. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0bcbxh6 Starts around 1hr:33m Edited January 10 by tiffers 4 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShropshireBull Posted January 10 Share Posted January 10 4 hours ago, tiffers said: Neil Kelly live on BBC Radio Cornwall this morning with a really upbeat tone. Stating 35 or so lads at the open trial yesterday. 80% Cornish lads with a lot of RU background. Although, interestingly, a number travelled down from the north to trial. Not helped by atrocious weather over the weekend meaning a last minute change of venue from Penryn to Newquay. He also revealed they are expecting 15 or so first team contracts to be handed out to local lads and there are a number of contract offers out with players looking to finalise terms. Kelly admits they are behind the curve and they need to be in pre-season training ASAP. Sounds like a number of players will finish their RU season to then join up with the squad in the spring. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0bcbxh6 Starts around 1hr:33m If they finish out the season and there is progress on a long term home then it´s nothing but positive. Lots of clubs in League 1 have two years to see if they are viable long term so best time to find out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toby Chopra Posted January 10 Share Posted January 10 (edited) 5 hours ago, tiffers said: Neil Kelly live on BBC Radio Cornwall this morning with a really upbeat tone. Stating 35 or so lads at the open trial yesterday. 80% Cornish lads with a lot of RU background. Although, interestingly, a number travelled down from the north to trial. Not helped by atrocious weather over the weekend meaning a last minute change of venue from Penryn to Newquay. He also revealed they are expecting 15 or so first team contracts to be handed out to local lads and there are a number of contract offers out with players looking to finalise terms. Kelly admits they are behind the curve and they need to be in pre-season training ASAP. Sounds like a number of players will finish their RU season to then join up with the squad in the spring. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0bcbxh6 Starts around 1hr:33m I think I have pretty good credentials as an expansionist but its hard not to be a bit worried by this. The bulk of the squad are going to be lower tier union players who won't even dip their toes into league until the union season is over? Even the hapless WWR had a stronger foundation than that. Perhaps this is just inevitable given there seems to be a rush to get the club up and running when really they should wait till 2023. So year 1 will be experimental. But going forward you cant stock a L1 club with off season union players, and indeed nor should we consider that acceptable either. This isn't a community league. When you set up a club in an area with no junior clubs, you have to bring in experienced pros, and I hope we'll see that in '23. That's just reality, which Perez of all people knows well. Edited January 10 by Toby Chopra Spelling 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theswanmcr Posted January 10 Share Posted January 10 1 hour ago, Toby Chopra said: I think I have pretty good credentials as an expansionist but its hard not to be a bit worried by this. The bulk of the squad are going to be lower tier union players who won't even dip their toes into league until the union season is over? Even the hapless WWR had a stronger foundation than that. Perhaps this is just inevitable given there seems to be a rush to get the club up and running when really they should wait till 2023. So year 1 will be experimental. But going forward you cant stock a L1 club with off season union players, and indeed nor should we consider that acceptable either. This isn't a community league. When you set up a club in an area with no junior clubs, you have to bring in experienced pros, and I hope we'll see that in '23. That's just reality, which Perez of all people knows well. Good points and some of that interview was worrying in terms of players and playing numbers. On the positives Kelly was nothing if not honest about being a bit behind - which is refreshing and better to communicate things than hide that away. There was mention of contract offers having been made to pros in the North so interesting that (assuming) none have gone for this. Maybe this will change and we'll see some signings in the coming months or if the distance is just too far for them to want to make the move. And if it is mostly Union players then yes they will be match fit - whether they will even have time to know our rules by the time April 2nd comes though is another matter! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northern Eel Posted January 10 Share Posted January 10 28 minutes ago, theswanmcr said: Good points and some of that interview was worrying in terms of players and playing numbers. On the positives Kelly was nothing if not honest about being a bit behind - which is refreshing and better to communicate things than hide that away. There was mention of contract offers having been made to pros in the North so interesting that (assuming) none have gone for this. Maybe this will change and we'll see some signings in the coming months or if the distance is just too far for them to want to make the move. And if it is mostly Union players then yes they will be match fit - whether they will even have time to know our rules by the time April 2nd comes though is another matter! I think the honesty is the most important aspect of the interview. So often, new ventures (which we well know are open to wide criticism from parts of the rugby league fanbase) lack transparency. If Neil Kelly's approach to transparency remains and becomes a culture within the whole club, this will go a long way to growing friends, supporters and wider-respect. I think we should be absolutely clear that this particular Rome will most definitely not be built in one day (season). 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damien Posted January 10 Share Posted January 10 I don't have any issue with signing RU players and local players. At the end of the day this is League 1 and we want to be developing new talent pools. A balance is needed for sure but Cornwall would be getting as much stick if they just signed loads of northern pros. However what does concern me is that these players need to be there now doing a proper pre season. Waiting until the RU season is done is just a recipe for disaster when it comes to fitness and RL skills, never mind team cohesion. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristianB Posted January 10 Share Posted January 10 2 hours ago, Toby Chopra said: I think I have pretty good credentials as an expansionist but its hard not to be a bit worried by this. Please do not be. No one in Cornwall is ignorant of the challenges, but Neil Kelly is an outstanding coach who will draw the best from whoever he recruits. To recap, Anthony Mullaly is a seasoned professional, while Sam and Henry are fit & strong young men whose best Rugby League is ahead of them. What's more, I am in no doubt they won't be the only local players turning heads in the heartlands during 2022. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toby Chopra Posted January 10 Share Posted January 10 16 minutes ago, ChristianB said: Please do not be. No one in Cornwall is ignorant of the challenges, but Neil Kelly is an outstanding coach who will draw the best from whoever he recruits. To recap, Anthony Mullaly is a seasoned professional, while Sam and Henry are fit & strong young men whose best Rugby League is ahead of them. What's more, I am in no doubt they won't be the only local players turning heads in the heartlands during 2022. Kelly is an excellent signing so I agree, he'll get the best out of what's available. But i think people underestimate the level of L1 - amomg the heartland clubs it's way way above that of the community leagues, and absolute beginners will be found out. If it were easy to turn amateur union players into competitive semi pro league players someone would have done it already, we've had enough goes at it over the years. For whatver reason - perhaps imminent restructuring - there's a rush to get Cornwall going this year. So they'll have to wing it. But for 2023, I'd be astonished if the bulk of the squad wasn't experienced pros comjng down from the north, complemented in years to come by a trickle of locally developed players. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopping Mad Posted January 10 Share Posted January 10 Neil Kelly described players coming from local rugby union as being "match fit" when the rugby league season starts. Yes - match fit for playing the low level rugby union (Cornish Pirates excepted) that goes on in Cornwall! Will they be, in any way, match fit for third tier rugby league? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
del capo Posted January 10 Share Posted January 10 44 minutes ago, Hopping Mad said: Neil Kelly described players coming from local rugby union as being "match fit" when the rugby league season starts. Yes - match fit for playing the low level rugby union (Cornish Pirates excepted) that goes on in Cornwall! Will they be, in any way, match fit for third tier rugby league? RU converts will not be match fit for RL even if they have been playing all year- it's a different fitness that is needed but they should be able to catch up in a month or two. Cornwall need to utilize the RFL recruitment rules and quickly. They are entitled to 5 DR players from any SL or Champ clubs without the need to have a fixed arrangement ( Rhinos / Fev style ) as they are non heartland. They can also have up to 10 Amateurs co registered with Community clubs. They are allowed overseas players from countries affiliated to ERL. Contracts can be pitched as low as £2k pa but with generous non taxable expenses thrown in , and a summer lifestyle on the English Riviera , it could well find a few young guns interested. Time ( and organisation with money ) being of the essence....... 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShropshireBull Posted January 10 Share Posted January 10 Just might have suited all parties in cornwall to get 3rd team to increase liklihood of stadium. If they can get that proper stadium it is viable long term. If they cant it isnt but that is the same for both codes in cornwall. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
voteronniegibbs Posted January 10 Share Posted January 10 28 minutes ago, del capo said: Contracts can be pitched as low as £2k pa but with generous non taxable expenses thrown in , and a summer lifestyle on the English Riviera , it could well find a few young guns interested. If I was 19 or 20 years old I'd be packing me swimming trunks Wibble Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niels Posted January 10 Share Posted January 10 47 minutes ago, del capo said: RU converts will not be match fit for RL even if they have been playing all year- it's a different fitness that is needed but they should be able to catch up in a month or two. Cornwall need to utilize the RFL recruitment rules and quickly. They are entitled to 5 DR players from any SL or Champ clubs without the need to have a fixed arrangement ( Rhinos / Fev style ) as they are non heartland. They can also have up to 10 Amateurs co registered with Community clubs. They are allowed overseas players from countries affiliated to ERL. Contracts can be pitched as low as £2k pa but with generous non taxable expenses thrown in , and a summer lifestyle on the English Riviera , it could well find a few young guns interested. Time ( and organisation with money ) being of the essence....... Good points. The English Riviera is Torbay, which I think would be a good place to take some games to try. I asked Christian this before, I remember. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exiled red Posted January 10 Share Posted January 10 19 minutes ago, Niels said: Good points. The English Riviera is Torbay, which I think would be a good place to take some games to try. I asked Christian this before, I remember. They don't get any fans to watch the football team let alone a rugby league game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niels Posted January 11 Share Posted January 11 1 hour ago, Exiled red said: They don't get any fans to watch the football team let alone a rugby league game. I can understand why you think this and you are probably correct. My only comeback would be that they are 8th in average attendances for the National League, above Halifax. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddie Posted January 11 Share Posted January 11 7 hours ago, Exiled red said: They don't get any fans to watch the football team let alone a rugby league game. They do get fans to watch the football team 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingerjon Posted January 11 Share Posted January 11 8 hours ago, voteronniegibbs said: If I was 19 or 20 years old I'd be packing me swimming trunks But not your rugby boots? What services are you planning to offer the team? 1 Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life. (Terry Pratchett) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RP London Posted January 11 Share Posted January 11 1 hour ago, gingerjon said: But not your rugby boots? What services are you planning to offer the team? Time to lock the thread.. dear god dont let an answer come to those questions.. the images it will conjure up arent worth it! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now