Tin Hat Time

[bromleybulldog]

Well, I don't really like writing this and I know already there will be criticism and accusations of moaning etc but......

Here we are just 14 days away from the new season, or at least the Boxing Day clash with Dewsbury and I have to say in nearly 70 years of watching this club, I have never felt  so worried and depressed and the lack of posts on this forum suggests to me that I may not be the only one. At the moment it looks like we have finalised our squad and it contains just 24 players. Anyone watching us over the past few seasons can't have failed to notice how our seasons start to fall apart from August onwards as the accumulated stresses of lots of games, tiredness and injuries has taken it's toll on our small squads. No criticism of the players here, they have given their all but we have played players strapped up,out of form or just overworked. And this season we plan to start with an even smaller squad?

What is worse, when you look at our squad, it contains 2 trialists, 2 youngsters with very little first team experience anywhere and one further youngster with one game for us under his belt. Of the remaining 19 players, 4 are already 35 (Brown, Manning, Kear and Blake) and a further five are over 30 (White, Arundel, Gledhill, Leak, and Walshaw).It will only take a couple of serious injuries or an outbreak of flu and we won't be able to name a full squad and conceivably not even put 17 players on the pitch. Of course the board's answer to this is that we will have help from Wakefield. Well, maybe, as long as they don't have injuries, suspensions or illnesses as well and are prepared to send us players.

The problem of course is money and I have to admit the board have done a great job over the years in steering us through many difficulties without having to resort to the bucket collections favoured by some of our rivals. But I believe central funding is continuing to decline, not helped by our apparent slip down the IMG grading structure which by the way has still not been announced by the club. Are they embarrassed or don't actually give a damn about informing fans of where we stand? Money is a problem but consider the following initiatives that we have tried at one time or another 1) The weekly draws started during the covid season. These were very successful and it was said that the club would continue them. Anyone seen or heard of any since then? 2) War Chest, launched with a fanfare, I paid the full £100 upfront for the first 3 seasons, we were promised prize draws for contributors. Anyone heard how it's all progressing, how much was raised, whether there are any draws? No, me neither. 3) Lottery. Does this even still exist? . I joined years ago, got two weekly numbers, never saw any results, no announcements of winners and was never chased to renew my subscription, so I didn't. Our wonderful website mentions it in the headings but there is zero information.

All this suggests that as a club we are incapable of maintaining any consistent focus on ideas and following through to make them successful. Where is the advertising, the promotions, the enthusiasm for fundraising?? Where is the new Ronnie Earnshaw when we need him?. Non existent. Here is a major problem the club has an apparent reluctance to communicate anything to it's fans. Why? No idea.At a guess because they don't know what to say. At the moment it appears that our strategy for next season is to spend as little as possible on players- hence the smallest squad ever- and to hope that Wakefield come riding to the rescue. We are clearly hoping to struggle to be one place higher in the league than Hunslet and hoping that somehow London continue their implosion and then we can borrow some Trinity players for the end of season relegation play offs.This is not a strategy, it is a recipe for disaster. Poor Mark Moxon must be tearing his hair out, having to mouth platitudes about aiming for the play offs when it is patently obvious we are going to be nowhere near them. It seems the limit of our ambition at the moment is merely to survive as Wakefield's reserve team.

I'm worried, are you worried too? You should be.

 

PS One exception to the gloom and doom has to be mentioned, the only part of the club that seems to be a functioning organisation- BISSA. Without the BISSA contributions it seems doubtful that we would have been able to sign any of the new recruits this year.

Edited December 12, 2024 by bromleybulldog

[LINNERS]

As frustrating as it can be from time to time with communication between club and fans, the club have always punched above their weight with the limited resources they have available to them. As you mention,  plenty of clubs have had the begging bowls out (on numerous occasions), whereas we have managed to get by with what we have. So as a supporter, we can only hope that the custodians continue to deliver results against the odds and we need to carry on doing our bit and backing them. 

[phildog]

You have put into 1 post the 100's I've made on all the same subjects in the past and been shot down for Bromley!  I doubt that we're the only 2 who think along those lines. BTW you forgot Wardy in your over 30's category! As Linners also says, we punch above our weight, especially 2010, 2016, 2021, 2022, 2023 but, and this is no slight on anyone from coaches down, there will be a time, possibly this season when that luck and/or endevour runs out with the set-up of the play-offs. Without that, we were already hoping for 2 sides finishing below us, that has now doubled in number along with the hope that we remain strong enough to fight off Div1 contenders. I don't suppose that it's 1 persons' fault (except for the lateness of IMG submission, lower grade, less money) as we're seriously hindered by the body supposedly there to help. The RFL don't actually have a say in SL as it's run by another body but still seems to support it and bend over backwards to placate it at every turn. All power and thanks to the chaps keeping the show on the road but we really need more investors a la Oldham etc. 

[bromleybulldog]

Yes, sorry for forgetting Wardy, a key member of the squad but his inclusion in the over 30s group just makes the figures look even more worrying. That means we have a grand total of 9 players with experience and under 30 . Think about it. We'll just have to pray everyone stays fit all season and still has energy left for the end of season

[sheddingswasus]

I think part of the problem is with this whole IMG fiasco. It has knocked the stuffing out of many clubs. Many owners / directors are probably now thinking what is the point!  Hypothetically if Ken Davy had a spat Huddersfield and threw his lot  in with Batley, and you build a great team you still would be denied SL. So really what is the point?

[phildog]

As Bromley said, the lack of interest on the forum is concerning, there are posts never followed up bg anyone from 2 or 3 weeks ago, fans seem as unable or unwilljng to communicate as much as the board appears to be. I don't know what can be so important that can't be communicated, I know there are lots of plates spinning, within a club in financial straits trying at least to stay solvent and pay its dues but it does often appear that it would be easier to get information from GCHQ. Fans have supported everything they've been asked, have also offered suggestions, myself included along the lines Bromley mentions, have also offered to help but there's no pathway. Let's face it, the crowd base is ageing, lessening by nature and if after the successes of '21, '22 and'23 couldn't fetch in more support on the terraces it's not going to happen when we're not hitting the heights so the future, immediate at least, is funding, get something in place, go back to the Covid era draws, a 100 or 200 Club, a season ticket raffle, just involve the support.

[DOGFATHER]

On 12/12/2024 at 15:06, sheddingswasus said:

I think part of the problem is with this whole IMG fiasco. It has knocked the stuffing out of many clubs. Many owners / directors are probably now thinking what is the point!  Hypothetically if Ken Davy had a spat Huddersfield and threw his lot  in with Batley, and you build a great team you still would be denied SL. So really what is the point?

Completely agree, I'm also sure the IMG fiasco has had an impact on the fanbases of many clubs too. 

With effectively nothing to play for, for most clubs outside of SL, how many fans have already/will turn there back on the game completely?

 

Edited December 15, 2024 by DOGFATHER

[coolie]

Just accept you will be bottom 4 this coming season

And your life will be stress free

Aim low to build expectations 

And if a miracle actually does happen and your not in the bottom 4

Its been a successful season

It's all about perception

[Keep The Faith]

The lottery must be still active as it’s ran by Huddersfield Giants and not Batley bulldogs hasn’t been for many of years….

The squad will be fine I expect someone will moan when wakey lads turn up every other game and we are safe 

People don’t use the forum it’s just a bunch of random people talking about the club especially when IMG want the clubs to use social media… the Facebook group is very active especially with the pictures of yesteryear 

Boxing Day game has been promoted on social media with tickets been sold for the past 3/4 days so we can’t moan about the promotion of the game and it’s been sponsored so the club are looking at money in that way now it’s down fans of both teams to get there and make enough money for the clubs 

Edited December 13, 2024 by Keep The Faith

[Fevrover]

3 hours ago, coolie said:

Just accept you will be bottom 4 this coming season

And your life will be stress free

Aim low to build expectations 

And if a miracle actually does happen and your not in the bottom 4

Its been a successful season

It's all about perception

I thought i was reading the Featherstone forum for a minute lol . 

[Fevrover]

1 hour ago, Keep The Faith said:

The lottery must be still active as it’s ran by Huddersfield Giants and not Batley bulldogs hasn’t been for many of years….

The squad will be fine I expect someone will moan when wakey lads turn up every other game and we are safe 

People don’t use the forum it’s just a bunch of random people talking about the club especially when IMG want the clubs to use social media… the Facebook group is very active especially with the pictures of yesteryear 

Boxing Day game has been promoted on social media with tickets been sold for the past 3/4 days so we can’t moan about the promotion of the game and it’s been sponsored so the club are looking at money in that way now it’s down fans of both teams to get there and make enough money for the clubs 

I don't go on FB or X so please could you give me any information about the Boxing Day game thank you. Got to get out of the house on Boxing Day ☺. 

[bromleybulldog]

4 minutes ago, Fevrover said:

I don't go on FB or X so please could you give me any information about the Boxing Day game thank you. Got to get out of the house on Boxing Day ☺. 

12.00 kick off at Mount Pleasant Welcome, and wrap up warm!

[Fevrover]

Just now, bromleybulldog said:

12.00 kick off at Mount Pleasant Welcome, and wrap up warm!

Perfect ko time.

[9' oller]

What's the agenda for further friendlies. They been announced?

[distantdog]

3 hours ago, Keep The Faith said:

People don’t use the forum it’s just a bunch of random people talking about the club especially when IMG want the clubs to use social media… 

How is that different from any Social Media? What should we talk about?

[fredm]

Well isn't this "Social Media"?

Plus it is easier to lock into than trying to find your way around other sites with thousands of other items on.

[Keep The Faith]

40 minutes ago, distantdog said:

How is that different from any Social Media? What should we talk about?

I don’t mean it like that but how people talk on the official club page or Facebook group than here? Hundreds of people from different teams etc 

I doubt img care about this forum 

[Anita Bath]

11 minutes ago, Keep The Faith said:

I don’t mean it like that but how people talk on the official club page or Facebook group than here? Hundreds of people from different teams etc 

I doubt img care about this forum 

I doubt IMG care about championship and league 1 clubs…..they only care about the cheque they are getting.

When league 1 and championship clubs supported the IMG proposals they signed their own death certificate.

[phildog]

9 Oller..home v Midlands Hurricanes Saturday 18th Jan. 

KTF isn't this Social Media then? If not what is? (Just asking for an old fogey....).

[Keep The Faith]

7 minutes ago, phildog said:

9 Oller..home v Midlands Hurricanes Saturday 18th Jan. 

KTF isn't this Social Media then? If not what is? (Just asking for an old fogey....).

It’s a website… 

I can see using behind the closed door method for a friendlies 

[nineoil]

5 hours ago, Keep The Faith said:

 

Boxing Day game has been promoted on social media with tickets been sold for the past 3/4 days so we can’t moan about the promotion of the game 

NOT EVERYBODY IS ON WITH SOCIAL MEDIA

[Blind side johnny]

On 12/12/2024 at 13:19, phildog said:

You have put into 1 post the 100's I've made on all the same subjects in the past and been shot down for Bromley!  I doubt that we're the only 2 who think along those lines. BTW you forgot Wardy in your over 30's category! As Linners also says, we punch above our weight, especially 2010, 2016, 2021, 2022, 2023 but, and this is no slight on anyone from coaches down, there will be a time, possibly this season when that luck and/or endevour runs out with the set-up of the play-offs. Without that, we were already hoping for 2 sides finishing below us, that has now doubled in number along with the hope that we remain strong enough to fight off Div1 contenders. I don't suppose that it's 1 persons' fault (except for the lateness of IMG submission, lower grade, less money) as we're seriously hindered by the body supposedly there to help. The RFL don't actually have a say in SL as it's run by another body but still seems to support it and bend over backwards to placate it at every turn. All power and thanks to the chaps keeping the show on the road but we really need more investors a la Oldham etc. 

The RFL do run SL.

[phildog]

Super League Europe BSJ ...

[9' oller]

Moor (used to train v us under linners) were asked to play rams in contact game last night.

By all accounts a very underwhelming rams performance v true the amateurs but they are ncl premier now after promotion so no mugs. Sykes didn't play

[9' oller]

16 hours ago, nineoil said:

NOT EVERYBODY IS ON WITH SOCIAL MEDIA

Nope never even contemplated a facebook account never mind twitter insta Snapchat etc. 

Also with an ageing demographic I'm guessing majority of old lads use bbc website for example and forums