I'll tell you why I didn't go down; I only have a limited budget and I've been to two friendlies recently, and I'll be at the Whitehaven game on Sunday; I didn't finish work til seven that night, had dogs to walk, and was due back at work at seven the next morning; I got the impression that all the business side of the goings-on was up for discussion and I can't pretend that I understand it all, anyway; finally, I knew it would be widely discussed on here - am I excused, your worship?!



Having said that, I've been clearing snow once already, and I'm more than happy to do a bit of painting/cleaning or whatever, should the call go out. I'll probably also be sticking up posters around Silsden.

I think a dose of realism is needed here - we'll be lucky to stay up, very lucky if we get nine points docked. I think we need to play the long game now - accept relegation might happen and look beyond it, to doing a Dewsbury and bouncing straight back up. Forget SL for now, we're always saying we don't need it!

Let's concentrate on building a good, strong fan base that's ready for a two or three year slog...

www.cooperativechampionship.co.u ... p?id=16481 Worth a read for the ones who couldn't make it.

www.cooperativechampionship.co.u ... p?id=16481 Worth a read for the ones who couldn't make it.

Hi everyone,



Just an apology for not getting the minutes from the fans forum up on the website yet I will get it done over the weekend. Sorry for the delay,



Thanks,



Hannah

Sorry Girl Power I was not impressed the other night was hoping to see a business plan with structure, was hoping for investment. I am a realist and if he had said "maybe in the future we could end up in Super League who knows" I would have smiled, but 2014, nah. I may not have a lot of money but I do invest my time in this club and my heart. Those investments are precious to me. And as for critisizing are you the only one that can these days??



The Cougar cubs many years ago had links with a training scheme to paint the changing rooms. As for the bus, I remember you being on the Gateshead trip, that lead to someone having to rush to the hole in the wall to fund the shortfall (100+). Even if they organised and charged it would help. The one thing I did think positive was the commitment to the schools with Tom and Dean and local junior teams, would love to see young ones on the terraces again.Retorical rant over.

were willing to provide free coach travel for any adult fan of an away club buying a ticket for the match at Cougar park , would you as fans be happy with that ?

watching and supporting a competative Cougars team with a good away following in attendance helping to create an enjoyable atmosphere which in return can provide a self financing club with funds left over for development



When you get to that stage , then and only then should SL even be contemplated



The ' Utopia ' of a franchised SL where all clubs are successful is a myth , there always has to be a bottom club , and potentially that club could remain there indefinatley , until it is that badly damaged it dissapears

Good idea in principle, but unless a club believes that this scheme will draw significantly more away support rather than just subsidising those that would attend anyway, then why would they want the hassle? I'm not saying this is the case, just looking at other perspectives.



In response to Goosey: I admire those fans that use their own time to organise activities, but the bottom line should always be - [iget the money up front and choose a cut off point where cancellation costs the organiser nothing [/i. The problem is that those people who have good intentions get taken advantage of by those who "look after number one".

I think you'll find that most of us already understand this





I came away from the meeting a little confused and disappointed that we were being totally unrealistic, but on reflection I think this is what was meant:



Stabilise the club

Gradual ground improvement

Competitive in championship

Bounce straight back if relegated

Links with local college to aid ground improvement

Better links with amateurs and youth teams

Better links with fans

50% of any profit will go toward local debts from previous club.

Ultimate ambition -Superleague (if we happen to be ready in 2014 we will go for it in not then 2017)



I think the club were trying to say that they will make the most of opportunities presented to them, and were trying to put forward an ambitious front to attract new support and funds. I think the implication was that if we made substantial progress then we would "go for it". However, to the listener it came across that the prime target was superleague in 2014 with the subsequent thought that the new board either lack realism, are naive or think we are both!



Its early days - lets give them a chance.



PS I'm still no clearer re the "debt legacy". I, and several others asked previous directors about the tax position and the general financial position to be told that tax bills were paid and the club was in good health

This has some really good points.



The new board's initial efforts have to be applauded.



Attracting a huge global corporation as Molson-Coors is was a great start. If they're willing to put money in to us it can be used to attract other large sponsors.



Allowing kids who play for local junior clubs in for nothing, the kind of fantastic idea that Cougars are all about.



A willingness to get on the back of Br*dford council's back because they only fund us £20k/year as opposed to the millions they already have and intend to pump in to the B*lls.



Whilst I feel making Super League in 4 years time is a nearly impossible task (and lets face it even if we met all the criteria it would only be a slim chance) it at least gives the board a target to aim for. So long as they don't put the club's future in jeopardy trying for it I don't see a problem.

Can you explain to me why this is a good thing ?



Then I'll explain how it can actually be counter productive

Money