Trouble at t'mill?

[hunsletgreenandgold]

36 minutes ago, Tommygilf said:

Was and had.

The two Hunslet amateur clubs have had to merge. Hunslet themselves despite being in a densely populated RL heartland get crowds smaller than school assemblies now. FWIW, Hunslet itself doesn't really exist anymore as a large urban area as a huge amount of the housing immediately South of the river has been knocked down for industrial and retail uses. Beeston, Belle Isle, Middleton and Holbeck don't seem to have ever been burgeoning with RL either.

Hunslet were almost always going to be the little brother of the 2 clubs eventually. The scale of that is up to them but they are basically invisible in South Leeds now. 

Some of that is true, Tommy - but i'll have to pick you up on a few bits there. Hunslet RLFC have been in decline since I was a kid growing up around there (90's) and the link between the then 3 main amateur sides in the area (there were 5 in total across Hunslet, Belle Isle, Middleton) has been poor to non-existent for pretty much all of that time. There's no love loss between most involved in amateur RL in south Leeds and Hunslet RLFC and it's fair to say Rhinos, and to a lesser extent Cas, have done far more for south Leeds players making the step into the pro game than Hunslet has ever even seemed interested in. All that said, don't let that have you believe Hunslet, Belle Isle and Middleton isn't still the most RL-dense playing/supporting area in Leeds - in fact I'd say across the whole of West Yorkshire, probably only Cas could match it.

The merge between the two big amateur sides had as much to do with local politics (in an RL sense) as opposed to any suggestion of dwindling player numbers.  It made sense in the end - Warriors were in a bit of financial strife and Hunslet Club Parkside were too big to play from the Hunslet Club, with all the other sports that also play from there. So, sense prevailed in the end and a decision made to merge and strengthen the future of amateur RL in Hunslet. In total we were told only last week that the club, from u6 to open age, now has over 400 players signed on.

From the outside I can see how it appears South Leeds RL is in decline - but with the commintment of volunteers, parents and players I can tell you from an amateur perspective at least, it's never felt stronger! 

 

Also, Hunslet as a residential area still does very much exist Tommy! People just get confused about the boundaries between Hunslet, Belle Isle and Beeston.

[Harry Stottle]

10 minutes ago, hunsletgreenandgold said:

Also, Hunslet as a residential area still does very much exist Tommy! People just get confused about the boundaries between Hunslet, Belle Isle and Beeston.

Am I wrong, but isn't the Tommy Wass pub like a boundary stone between those 3 neighbourhood's?

[Bedfordshire Bronco]

On 05/09/2023 at 10:03, Harry Stottle said:

There must be a common denominator for the unrest at Leeds, I should think you would have an opinion as to what that would be Tommy, please share.

I have said this already and got blasted for it 

Of all the SL teams they have amazing facilities, the best ground and most fans The best city to live in and probably the best brand 

Who/what/why do they not want to stay? 

I suspect money is an issue. Arrogance that they are Leeds and don't need to pay as much (because of the other pull factors I have mentioned)

[Bedfordshire Bronco]

23 hours ago, Damien said:

To be fair I'm sure the birth of your child thousands of miles away changes everything and it may be no more that he doesn't want to return because of that. It may not necessarily be a Leeds issue per se.

Why did he not want his family to come and live in the place he has just signed a 4 year deal for? 

Edited September 6, 2023 by Bedfordshire Bronco

[Bedfordshire Bronco]

19 hours ago, Chrispmartha said:

 

Tindall doesn't want out, he's not been offered a contact because he's not actually very good at being a winger. 

He needs a compass and to put a stone of weight on 

[Bedfordshire Bronco]

15 hours ago, Man of Kent said:

To my eye it looks like Leeds are struggling financially. Didn’t they post significant losses during Covid?

I've been told off for saying this 

Even though blatantly it must be true 

How the hell a club like Leeds with the big crowds, corporate income and that money generating stadium can be short is beyond me though 

Too many people on the payroll ?(ex players?)

Edited September 6, 2023 by Bedfordshire Bronco

[Tommygilf]

1 minute ago, Bedfordshire Bronco said:

I've been told off for saying this 

Even though blatantly it must be true 

How the hell a club like Leeds with the big crowds, corporate income and that money generating stadium can be shirt.is beyond me though 

Loathe as I am to compare, Man United or Arsenal come to mind. Massive clubs, massive resources, successful academies, basically zero results for ages! 

[M j M]

I think there's a bit of BS going on here. There's a difference between Hetherington striking a hard bargain (which is legendary across the game) and Leeds not spending. The club budgets full cap and uses all marquee spots. The aim of Hetherington being tight is supposed to drive more out of the cap - not save on total spending.

Now it may be his frugality isn't working when trying to sign players any more. But Leeds will continue to have funds available and it's just not true that the club is trying to save money on the playing squad.

I'm pretty sure we will see that this includes a willingness to to spend big on transfer fees, something which has been a constant through the Caddick/Hetherington era.

[hunsletgreenandgold]

37 minutes ago, Harry Stottle said:

Am I wrong, but isn't the Tommy Wass pub like a boundary stone between those 3 neighbourhood's?

Tommy Wass crossroads is definitely a Middleton to Beeston boundary - Hunslet ends a fair bit further down Dewsbury road, back towards the city.

[Tommygilf]

11 minutes ago, M j M said:

I think there's a bit of BS going on here. There's a difference between Hetherington striking a hard bargain (which is legendary across the game) and Leeds not spending. The club budgets full cap and uses all marquee spots. The aim of Hetherington being tight is supposed to drive more out of the cap - not save on total spending.

Now it may be his frugality isn't working when trying to sign players any more. But Leeds will continue to have funds available and it's just not true that the club is trying to save money on the playing squad.

I'm pretty sure we will see that this includes a willingness to to spend big on transfer fees, something which has been a constant through the Caddick/Hetherington era.

Agreed, nothing really has changed, I think the strategy just isn't getting as much in terms of results and hasn't adapted with the developments in the squad.

[Tommygilf]

55 minutes ago, hunsletgreenandgold said:

Some of that is true, Tommy - but i'll have to pick you up on a few bits there. Hunslet RLFC have been in decline since I was a kid growing up around there (90's) and the link between the then 3 main amateur sides in the area (there were 5 in total across Hunslet, Belle Isle, Middleton) has been poor to non-existent for pretty much all of that time. There's no love loss between most involved in amateur RL in south Leeds and Hunslet RLFC and it's fair to say Rhinos, and to a lesser extent Cas, have done far more for south Leeds players making the step into the pro game than Hunslet has ever even seemed interested in. All that said, don't let that have you believe Hunslet, Belle Isle and Middleton isn't still the most RL-dense playing/supporting area in Leeds - in fact I'd say across the whole of West Yorkshire, probably only Cas could match it.

The merge between the two big amateur sides had as much to do with local politics (in an RL sense) as opposed to any suggestion of dwindling player numbers.  It made sense in the end - Warriors were in a bit of financial strife and Hunslet Club Parkside were too big to play from the Hunslet Club, with all the other sports that also play from there. So, sense prevailed in the end and a decision made to merge and strengthen the future of amateur RL in Hunslet. In total we were told only last week that the club, from u6 to open age, now has over 400 players signed on.

From the outside I can see how it appears South Leeds RL is in decline - but with the commintment of volunteers, parents and players I can tell you from an amateur perspective at least, it's never felt stronger! 

 

Also, Hunslet as a residential area still does very much exist Tommy! People just get confused about the boundaries between Hunslet, Belle Isle and Beeston.

I agree with all that, I was being brief to avoid drift! I also wouldn't want to risk including Tempest Road in Hunslet!

Would you say Cross Flatts Park and Beeston Road is the boundary for you?

[RigbyLuger]

35 minutes ago, Bedfordshire Bronco said:

I've been told off for saying this 

Even though blatantly it must be true 

How the hell a club like Leeds with the big crowds, corporate income and that money generating stadium can be short is beyond me though 

Too many people on the payroll ?(ex players?)

Non-use of their hospitality/banqueting facilities.

[Damien]

42 minutes ago, Bedfordshire Bronco said:

Why did he not want his family to come and live in the place he has just signed a 4 year deal for? 

Maybe he did and his wife didn't want to up sticks whilst heavily pregnant and wanted her family and support network around her. Maybe she still wants all of that around her now the child is born. It is also quite likely that the reality of the situation has hit them and what was planned before has changed now.

Things like this are quite normal .

[Bedfordshire Bronco]

39 minutes ago, Tommygilf said:

Loathe as I am to compare, Man United or Arsenal come to mind. Massive clubs, massive resources, successful academies, basically zero results for ages! 

But happy accountants 

[Tommygilf]

1 minute ago, Bedfordshire Bronco said:

But happy accountants 

Indeed, but both show how its not extraordinary to have resources available, and indeed used, and to still not get it quite right.

[bobbruce]

25 minutes ago, M j M said:

I think there's a bit of BS going on here. There's a difference between Hetherington striking a hard bargain (which is legendary across the game) and Leeds not spending. The club budgets full cap and uses all marquee spots. The aim of Hetherington being tight is supposed to drive more out of the cap - not save on total spending.

Now it may be his frugality isn't working when trying to sign players any more. But Leeds will continue to have funds available and it's just not true that the club is trying to save money on the playing squad.

I'm pretty sure we will see that this includes a willingness to to spend big on transfer fees, something which has been a constant through the Caddick/Hetherington era.

Who are Leeds 2 marquee players then currently and will they be bringing 2 more in next year. This is a genuine question is it possible to find out who the marquee players are at each club. 

[hunsletgreenandgold]

28 minutes ago, Tommygilf said:

I agree with all that, I was being brief to avoid drift! I also wouldn't want to risk including Tempest Road in Hunslet!

Would you say Cross Flatts Park and Beeston Road is the boundary for you?

You're quite right about trying to avoid getting off-topic, so i'll make this my last on Hunslet geography...unless the people want more 

So in each direction, i've always known Hunslet boundaries to be:- 

North: South Accommodation Road - Although it's arguably easier now to say Hunslet distributor road (flyover) is even more of a definitive boundary

South: West Grange Drive, cuts right through Belle Isle Road laterally and separates Hunslet Carr from Belle Isle. Many think the motorway bridge is the start of Belle Isle. 

East: Wakefied Rd/Thwaite Lane - anything after that is Stourton, which is often wrongly thought to be part of Hunslet industrial area. 

West: From Hunslet Fire Station up to Moor Road on Dewsbury Road has always been my understanding. It's amused me many times over the years to hear people ask why Hunslet Fire Station and West Hunslet conservative club are actually in Beeston! Must admit I don't recognise that area as being part of Hunslet, since the M621 cut through. 

 

 

Edited September 6, 2023 by hunsletgreenandgold

[Damien]

48 minutes ago, Bedfordshire Bronco said:

I have said this already and got blasted for it 

Of all the SL teams they have amazing facilities, the best ground and most fans The best city to live in and probably the best brand 

Who/what/why do they not want to stay? 

I suspect money is an issue. Arrogance that they are Leeds and don't need to pay as much (because of the other pull factors I have mentioned)

This is all just your opinion and heavily debateable. To look at these:

• Plenty of teams have amazing facilities every bit as good as Leeds, whether that is training facilities or stadium.
• I love Headingley as a RL ground but to say its the best ground in the league is a stretch.
• Most fans varies and carries a lot of variables from season to season.
• The best city to live in is highly subjective and pretty irrelevant anyway. Players can live anywhere and many choose to live elsewhere than the city they play in. I'd hazard a guess that plenty of Leeds players dont live in Leeds anyway.
• Best brand? Really. I don't think its noticeably better or worse than various others.

[Bedfordshire Bronco]

Just now, Damien said:

Maybe he did and his wife didn't want to up sticks whilst heavily pregnant and wanted her family and support network around her. Maybe she still wants all of that around her now the child is born. It is also quite likely that the reality of the situation has hit them and what was planned before has changed now.

Things like this are quite normal .

It think it's completely normal that she wants her support network and all that 

Don't you think he should have thought about that when he signed a 4 year deal a few weeks ago 

Or is that the clubs fault?

[Damien]

1 minute ago, Bedfordshire Bronco said:

It think it's completely normal that she wants her support network and all that 

Don't you think he should have thought about that when he signed a 4 year deal a few weeks ago 

Or is that the clubs fault?

Why would it be the clubs fault? I don't even get why you are asking me that question.

[Chrispmartha]

33 minutes ago, Damien said:

Maybe he did and his wife didn't want to up sticks whilst heavily pregnant and wanted her family and support network around her. Maybe she still wants all of that around her now the child is born. It is also quite likely that the reality of the situation has hit them and what was planned before has changed now.

Things like this are quite normal .

His wife was already over here though Wasn’t she, there’s more to this than that, otherwise the club would just have said that and people would understand that situation

[Bedfordshire Bronco]

38 minutes ago, Damien said:

This is all just your opinion and heavily debateable. To look at these:

• Plenty of teams have amazing facilities every bit as good as Leeds, whether that is training facilities or stadium.
• I love Headingley as a RL ground but to say its the best ground in the league is a stretch.
• Most fans varies and carries a lot of variables from season to season.
• The best city to live in is highly subjective and pretty irrelevant anyway. Players can live anywhere and many choose to live elsewhere than the city they play in. I'd hazard a guess that plenty of Leeds players dont live in Leeds anyway.
• Best brand? Really. I don't think its noticeably better or worse than various others.

Which SL club has a better stadium than Headingly? 

Which SL location is a better place to live than Leeds?

Just spot checked average attendance over last 15 years randomly.....Leeds topped every year. They also have double everyone else's social media followers .....both a very good indication they have the biggest fan base 

I've visited every SL club numerous times and follow the 'brand' of them all in the news. From personal experience the Rhinos 'brand' is the most polished by far for me 

It's a shame their performances are rubbish because they are penny pinching on the team 

 

Edited September 6, 2023 by Bedfordshire Bronco

[Bedfordshire Bronco]

28 minutes ago, Damien said:

Why would it be the clubs fault? I don't even get why you are asking me that question.

Your response pointed out that his partner having a kid might affect their decisions 

I pointed out that they knew it was coming as she was pregnant 

My question is why did Nene knowing the above sign a 4 year deal a few weeks ago ? 

My point is that Nene should not have signed the deal and that it is his fault for signing it knowing that his wife didn't want leave Australia .....and that he might not come back 

Unless you think Leeds should have made the decision on his behalf? 

[Damien]

11 minutes ago, Chrispmartha said:

His wife was already over here though Wasn’t she, there’s more to this than that, otherwise the club would just have said that and people would understand that situation

I was responding in kind to a post. I've no idea the ins and outs. My point is that the birth of a child can and does change everything. I'm not going to hold the club to blame for that.

[Harry Stottle]

17 minutes ago, Chrispmartha said:

His wife was already over here though Wasn’t she

I would hope so or there would be a lot more questions to answer.