Momentum for 2027 Season - Feels Like a True Turning Point?

[Encouraged]

Just thinking about what could be a pivotal year for Halifax, we have to hope that we can mount a serious challenge to win the league next year. Obviously lots of activity underway but we need to hit the ground running with a strong team, good comms and commercials (think match advertisement quality), social media presence, regular website updates, community outreach etc...

Considering players, and understanding we may have a much better budget next year(?), who do we want to see playing for us in order to mount a serious challenge. We also need to ensure we attracting the crowds in every way can.

[UpTheFax]

33 minutes ago, Encouraged said:

Just thinking about what could be a pivotal year for Halifax, we have to hope that we can mount a serious challenge to win the league next year. Obviously lots of activity underway but we need to hit the ground running with a strong team, good comms and commercials (think match advertisement quality), social media presence, regular website updates, community outreach etc...

Considering players, and understanding we may have a much better budget next year(?), who do we want to see playing for us in order to mount a serious challenge. We also need to ensure we attracting the crowds in every way can.

I just dont see it, I am afraid. There is so much off the field that just isnt there yet that means we arent in a position challenge. 

[Faxinhudds]

17 minutes ago, UpTheFax said:

I just dont see it, I am afraid. There is so much off the field that just isnt there yet that means we arent in a position challenge. 

That is as it stands now. Next season is another matter and hopefully a new and fresh start for our club. Up The Fax! ️

[UpTheFax]

3 minutes ago, Faxinhudds said:

That is as it stands now. Next season is another matter and hopefully a new and fresh start for our club. Up The Fax! ️

We need at least a year, maybe two, of financial stability and growth to be able to fund a title challenge (if even then, that is realistic). As much as I rate Kyle, a good coach can only do so much with the players the club can afford. I dont believe any of the directors are cash rich, so off field growth and on field success needs to come organically which simply does not happen overnight. 

[Magicsponge]

27 minutes ago, UpTheFax said:

I just dont see it, I am afraid. There is so much off the field that just isnt there yet that means we arent in a position challenge. 

Have to agree,nothing since London fills me with any confidence..the socials and missing rent since beggar belief.###### I missed the do last week but nobody including the club have voiced anything out of the ordinary.

[Blind side johnny]

The new Sky deal coupled with a mooted NRL involvement in a smaller SL makes everything uncertain for Championship clubs. We can't even be certain that there will only be two leagues next year.

Tricky times for all clubs, all round.

[Ilkley Fax]

I know this is really about next year, and while I obviously hope we can return to something like previous levels, lead up to our next game is not filling me with optimism. First game back at the Shay for weeks, you'd think the club would really be pushing it and yet we don't even seem organised enough to be able to get squad announced - although Saints have let it be known we're getting a couple of their young reserves this week.

[Tony Fax]

They can push the barrow game all they want, but we'll finish 2nd bottom regardless. The match is totally meaningless so you wouldn't blame anyone for choosing to be elsewhere. 

As I've said, attendances at all championship clubs have been poor with only widnes regularly getting 2k. Even high flyers Doncaster and Oldham struggle to get 1k, so in the circumstances we should be grateful we're getting the comparative decent crowds. I'm sure that the absentees will return next season when we (hopefully) build a solid squad with no stupid points deduction. 

[Jemmo]

Doncasters average is 1444, (only below 1000 twice, both cup games) although I take the point that is still not great.

Oldham is apparently only just over 1000, which surprises me

[BamfordsBarmyArmy]

I just don't get the negativity on here and facefooked; Kyle and his coaching team is signed / commmited for next year - which means we have the best coaching setup outside of so-called 'super' league (and I'd bet would be beating the bottom 2-3 there)..AND next year we will have central funding + sponsorship + season ticket cash + board funds to spend (the current BOD doing an amazing job of keeping us afloat meanwhile- with nothing else!).. RE: Kyle - just look at the magic from Ben Will since he's joined - couldn't get a game for Rochdale, but now I'm worried we'll lose him to SuperLeague next year!

[Tony Fax]

On 08/08/2026 at 10:38, Jemmo said:

Doncasters average is 1444, (only below 1000 twice, both cup games) although I take the point that is still not great.

Oldham is apparently only just over 1000, which surprises me

Doncaster don't seem to have published their attendances for their last couple of home games with their match against Batley showing as 1.2k.

Fax had the highest published attendance last weekend with 1,434 (even though Salford probably had more against Swinton but I can't find their attendance) and Oldham attracted just 1,125 for the visit of top of the table rivals Sheffield which must be a real worry for their owners.

Watching the highlights of all the weekends rugby matches, don't know how many went to Odsal but the crowd was very sparsely spread, I must admit I'm surprised at the lack of interest for the bullies since their return to SL. And yet another farcical "contest" between London and Goole at an almost empty Plough Lane, they must be losing a fortune servicing a full time squad, I'm guessing they've had a nod and a wink about their entry to SL?

[Jemmo]

1 hour ago, Tony Fax said:

Doncaster don't seem to have published their attendances for their last couple of home games with their match against Batley showing as 1.2k.

Fax had the highest published attendance last weekend with 1,434 (even though Salford probably had more against Swinton but I can't find their attendance) and Oldham attracted just 1,125 for the visit of top of the table rivals Sheffield which must be a real worry for their owners.

Watching the highlights of all the weekends rugby matches, don't know how many went to Odsal but the crowd was very sparsely spread, I must admit I'm surprised at the lack of interest for the bullies since their return to SL. And yet another farcical "contest" between London and Goole at an almost empty Plough Lane, they must be losing a fortune servicing a full time squad, I'm guessing they've had a nod and a wink about their entry to SL?

Yeah it is sad to see grounds half empty that I remember going to and them be bouncing. Behind the posts at Halifax is one of the best stands in the game when it was rammed.

Grounds like Dewbsury, that terraced side used to be brilliant but now you can just wander around

[american]

On 08/08/2026 at 05:38, Jemmo said:

Oldham is apparently only just over 1000, which surprises me

I feel like its been a mess with the stadium situation and all this year. I think they can return to 1500+ for next year

[Tony Fax]

Returning to the topic header, 2027 could be make or break for the sport as a whole. SL could get a bum SKY deal and the Championship is quite frankly an embarrassment as it stands at the moment. It needs reducing to 12 competitive teams with a couple of extra cup competitions to expand the fixture list and create more interest in terms of winning something.

Ideally we should have 3 leagues of 12, comprising the existing 34 clubs, plus Fev and another random new club, simply call them the RL premiership, the Championship and League 1 (thus removing the ridiculous "Super League" tag and getting away from the "us and them" scenario"). 

We can't carry on like this, another stupid season like the one we're in where we're effectively combining League 1 and Championship teams where we don't even play every team ..... then I'm off I'm afraid.

[UpTheFax]

The game is broken, possibly beyond repair. Losing supporters is easy...winning them back is incredibly hard.

The world cup not being on terrestrial television is another nail.

[Tony Fax]

I'm not sure where some of these SL attendances are coming from. I watched the bullies v Wigan highlights ....... there were probably a few hundred scattered behind the sticks and the sit down stand, and caught a glimpse of the centre standing terrace where most of the bully fans are and it looked very sparse, yet the attendance was announced as 7.5k. They're having a laugh.