Protests at Eagles v Hunslet game

[mozzauk]

Looks like the Eagles are becoming a bit of a toxic club at the moment, with fans leaving at half time and also this protest on the Hill with some fans calling out the directors and for them to resign  

By the sounds of it lack of beer as well.... 

Its just one thing after another... the revelations about Glover, Aston been stabbed in the back by the board, the owners more interested in investment in Sheffield FC, the new stadium has ground to a halt.. 

Somat not right at the SCS (Sale not on)

 

Edited May 23 by mozzauk

[Tommygilf]

There's a mixture of issues going on, not least that they have collapsed on field this year compared to recent seasons. If they were in the top 5 and winning most weeks these issues wouldn't scratch the surface imo.

The Aston saga continues to haunt the club. Unfortunately they do seem to be a club where one man is bigger than the organisation for many. The stab in the back ultimately came from Aston trying to diddle the medical protocol for whatever reason. He jeopardised the player, club and sports' position. The club supporting him subsequently in that process hamstrung them evidently.

Lingard as a coach looked to be a fine appointment, experienced at this level, the obvious choice really. The squad whilst thin doesn't look terrible on paper either. It just hasn't worked. 

Direction at the club seems to be lacking at the moment, and the ownership seem to have been hands off in approach throughout their tenure. 

I don't see how more interest in investment at Sheffield FC can also equate to the stadium grinding to a halt given its for both of the clubs (and arguably more important for the FC given they would be returning to Sheffield). Clearly the latter requires a hell of a lot of work, not least with the council, and it has to make business sense.

There seems to be more going on at Sheffield in terms of drama, personal agendas and leadership. A relatively small club can't thrive like that.

[Tommygilf]

 

 

[Tommygilf]

8 hours ago, mozzauk said:

Looks like the Eagles are becoming a bit of a toxic club at the moment, with fans leaving at half time and also this protest on the Hill with some fans calling out the directors and for them to resign  

By the sounds of it lack of beer as well.... 

Its just one thing after another... the revelations about Glover, Aston been stabbed in the back by the board, the owners more interested in investment in Sheffield FC, the new stadium has ground to a halt.. 

Somat not right at the SCS (Sale not on)

 

Obvious jokes about that being 90% of the fanbase on the hill too, sorry forgot that bit...

[gingerjon]

My understanding was that Aston was so stabbed in the back that a job was invented for him to return to and there's no movement on his appeal so he's secure?

Or has that changed.

[mozzauk]

49 minutes ago, Tommygilf said:

There's a mixture of issues going on, not least that they have collapsed on field this year compared to recent seasons. If they were in the top 5 and winning most weeks these issues wouldn't scratch the surface imo.

The Aston saga continues to haunt the club. Unfortunately they do seem to be a club where one man is bigger than the organisation for many. The stab in the back ultimately came from Aston trying to diddle the medical protocol for whatever reason. He jeopardised the player, club and sports' position. The club supporting him subsequently in that process hamstrung them evidently.

Lingard as a coach looked to be a fine appointment, experienced at this level, the obvious choice really. The squad whilst thin doesn't look terrible on paper either. It just hasn't worked. 

Direction at the club seems to be lacking at the moment, and the ownership seem to have been hands off in approach throughout their tenure. 

I don't see how more interest in investment at Sheffield FC can also equate to the stadium grinding to a halt given its for both of the clubs (and arguably more important for the FC given they would be returning to Sheffield). Clearly the latter requires a hell of a lot of work, not least with the council, and it has to make business sense.

There seems to be more going on at Sheffield in terms of drama, personal agendas and leadership. A relatively small club can't thrive like that.

The Aston seems to be ongoing, and is hurting the club in more ways, and I agree he did wrong and should have been punished but not to the extent he has been, and he seems to have been viliified by the board.. 

I have never rated Lingard as a coach, and we need someone who isnt negative in every interview he does, and agree it hasn't worked.. 

The Levines (the owners) are investing a lot of money in Sheffield FC, and in the old ground down at Dronfield (6 Figures), there seems to be a distinct lack of investment at the Eagles both in players and the match day experience, and from of the latest photos on a Sheffield facebook group, there is no mention of the Eagles and planning has stalled completely.

Its sad to see the club I have supported going through this, as its as though every pro or semi pro sports team in Sheffield has its woes and problems, and dont want to see us become a toxic club...

[mozzauk]

6 minutes ago, gingerjon said:

My understanding was that Aston was so stabbed in the back that a job was invented for him to return to and there's no movement on his appeal so he's secure?

Or has that changed.

 

The job of Director of Rugby has been removed as the Eagles has no money for it, and Mark is still a director and shareholder in the club..

It is at the bottom of this news post
https://www.sheffieldeagles.com/Eagles-News/article/club-statement-eagles-board-gives-lingard-backing-/

[Tommygilf]

33 minutes ago, mozzauk said:

The Aston seems to be ongoing, and is hurting the club in more ways, and I agree he did wrong and should have been punished but not to the extent he has been, and he seems to have been viliified by the board.. 

I have never rated Lingard as a coach, and we need someone who isnt negative in every interview he does, and agree it hasn't worked.. 

The Levines (the owners) are investing a lot of money in Sheffield FC, and in the old ground down at Dronfield (6 Figures), there seems to be a distinct lack of investment at the Eagles both in players and the match day experience, and from of the latest photos on a Sheffield facebook group, there is no mention of the Eagles and planning has stalled completely.

Its sad to see the club I have supported going through this, as its as though every pro or semi pro sports team in Sheffield has its woes and problems, and dont want to see us become a toxic club...

I don't think he's been vilified by the board, I think they were completely stuck with what to do. They stood by him. The cynic in me would suggest that Aston would not want too much success at the club without him at the forefront. As DOR however, the on field results especially in terms of recruitment and retention ultimately fall to him.

Lingard had a decent record at both Keighley and Batley, especially given the budgets he was working with there. He was on a hiding to nothing with Cas. I don't know who else was available to be honest, but he certainly wasn't a bad appointment. There's a decent coaching set up around him.

I think the Eagles have had their fair share of investment tbh. They've punched well above what was sustainable for them for some years now but crucially have failed at key hurdles and ultimately haven't kicked on in terms of the off field. Who knows if the ongoing discussions around SL and the lower divisions mean they aren't concerned about results too much this year. 

I don't know about the planning, but perhaps some realism has stepped in about the costs in the short to medium term. As far as I understand Sheffield FC aren't exactly storming through the leagues either?

I genuinely think for the toxicity to not come about, the club has to be reasonably successful without Aston at the centre. If that isn't possible then the Eagles seem pretty doomed tbh.

[The Blues Ox]

https://www.sheffieldeagles.com/Eagles-News/article/club-statement-james-glover/

James Glover reply on this matter on Facebook was interesting too. Carzy to release a player for signing for someone next season especially when he will not be the only one.

[M j M]

1 hour ago, gingerjon said:

My understanding was that Aston was so stabbed in the back that a job was invented for him to return to and there's no movement on his appeal so he's secure?

Or has that changed.

Aston stabbed himself in the front through his actions.

[Bull Mania]

2 hours ago, mozzauk said:

 there seems to be a distinct lack of investment at the Eagles both in players and the match day experience

This is just nonsense. Sheffield have one of the lowest average attendances in the league. Yet have signed players like Jack Walker, Corey Johnson, Titus Gwaze Morgan Smith. These are top end champ players. 

I've seen Sheffield play all over the place and in stadiums that are no more than a local park. Whilst current stadium does have issues it's enabled the club to lay down roots in Sheffield. 

If these owners walk away then Sheffield end up in L1. I think the protesters need to look at the Aston effect and the leadership group of the playing group who I feel aren't fully committed as they feel they owe alligience to Aston. They threw that game against Dewsbury last year to damage the club. 

[Les Tonks Sidestep]

2 hours ago, mozzauk said:

 

The job of Director of Rugby has been removed as the Eagles has no money for it, and Mark is still a director and shareholder in the club..

It is at the bottom of this news post
https://www.sheffieldeagles.com/Eagles-News/article/club-statement-eagles-board-gives-lingard-backing-/

They also created a 'commercial' role for him, which he still holds.

[Tommygilf]

9 minutes ago, Bull Mania said:

This is just nonsense. Sheffield have one of the lowest average attendances in the league. Yet have signed players like Jack Walker, Corey Johnson, Titus Gwaze Morgan Smith. These are top end champ players. 

I've seen Sheffield play all over the place and in stadiums that are no more than a local park. Whilst current stadium does have issues it's enabled the club to lay down roots in Sheffield. 

If these owners walk away then Sheffield end up in L1. I think the protesters need to look at the Aston effect and the leadership group of the playing group who I feel aren't fully committed as they feel they owe alligience to Aston. They threw that game against Dewsbury last year to damage the club. 

It is a weird tunnel visioned view amongst some fans, almost cult like. 

The basic reality as you say is that without the current and past levels of funding, Sheffield are a League 1 club.

[OriginalMrC]

I think this whole issue highlights how poor governance and individuals havinf too much power can impact a club. Still not sure what possessed Aston to do what he did but its had a huge impact on the whole club. Hope they manage to reset and get through this. Fans should be careful what they wish for as without the investment put in, in terms of facilities, fan base and revenue this is a league 1 club.

[The Blues Ox]

Ive also wondered why more fans don't stand where the protestors are to avoid paying in. 

[Mr T]

35 minutes ago, The Blues Ox said:

Ive also wondered why more fans don't stand where the protestors are to avoid paying in. 

Did last season, will do this season too. Toxic atmosphere has always been there at Sheffield - Aston just did a better job of keeping it under wraps

[Click]

Not really get much sympathy for them after the Aston situation, an arrogant club for no reason.

[Fevrover]

10 hours ago, The Blues Ox said:

https://www.sheffieldeagles.com/Eagles-News/article/club-statement-james-glover/

James Glover reply on this matter on Facebook was interesting too. Carzy to release a player for signing for someone next season especially when he will not be the only one.

James reply was different to that.

[The Phantom Horseman]

11 hours ago, The Blues Ox said:

 Crazy to release a player for signing for someone next season especially when he will not be the only one.

You might infer from this that The Blues Ox has heard a whisper that someone's heading from Sheffield to Halifax next season, but I for one won't believe it until it's officially announced mid-season by Aston.

[langpark]

I saw the 

On 24/05/2025 at 00:10, mozzauk said:

Looks like the Eagles are becoming a bit of a toxic club at the moment, with fans leaving at half time and also this protest on the Hill with some fans calling out the directors and for them to resign  

I watched the highlights.  The main stand in the first half compared to the second half looks like it has EXACTLY the same amount of people in it, throughout the match.  Do you have an agenda to push perhaps?

 

[RS50]

What is the situation with Aston's appeal?

Has it happened?

If not when it is scheduled?

If it has taken place, what was the outcome?

 

[JonM]

38 minutes ago, RS50 said:

What is the situation with Aston's appeal?

Has it happened?

If not when it is scheduled?

If it has taken place, what was the outcome?

Sport Resolutions have all of their decisions published online - most recent rugby league one was Josh Lynch. They seem to be usually at least six months after the original decision.  No decision on Aston's appeal yet.

[KS09]

On 24/05/2025 at 09:35, Tommygilf said:

It is a weird tunnel visioned view amongst some fans, almost cult like. 

The basic reality as you say is that without the current and past levels of funding, Sheffield are a League 1 club.

It absolutely is like a cult. Whoever came in as coach was never going to be accepted whoever they were. Obviously, results have been poor but the injury situation has been a bit ridiculous. I don't see who those who don't rate Lingard think we should have appointed. His Batley teams outperformed the Eagles during his time there, no doubt on lesser budgets too.

If the owners pull out I don't think it's League One, it's oblivion. Crowds are dire, no number was announced Friday night but it looked like less than 400. How likely is It someone else could be found to fund it. It appears some however would prefer no club at all to one without Aston.

I also don't really see how he's been stabbed in the back by pulling the DoR role. Does any club this size need one?

 

[The Phantom Horseman]

On 24/05/2025 at 09:35, Tommygilf said:

It is a weird tunnel visioned view amongst some fans, almost cult like.

 

9 hours ago, KS09 said:

It absolutely is like a cult.

 

 

[Tommygilf]

1 hour ago, The Phantom Horseman said:

 

 

This is the thing isn't it, they can't have Aston, because of the actions of Aston, as decided by the RFL not the club.

It must be messy as well because of his role as a shareholder and employee. I don't think he's been on a fixed term contract like other coaches or players for example.

I don't know who else they want?