Re: Jukes ‘ The Million Pound ‘ mistake : Wed Aug 01, 2018 5:06 pm  

gunners guns13 wrote:

The trouble is it will take at least 5 years to get an academy that will be bringing lads through to challenge for 1st grade because most lads at 14 to 17 have probably already got clubs and with the uncertainty round the club would lads choose Leigh over the other clubs that have academy's

Again I agree. As I say a 5 year initial plan with a 5 year continuance plan. Building a grass roots to first team program will take time and money but in my opinion has to be a part of a sustainable long term plan for our club.
All pie in the sky of course right now though unless we can get the right owner(s). And as long as we will still have access to the top tier in the next couple of years.

Re: Jukes ‘ The Million Pound ‘ mistake : Wed Aug 01, 2018 8:18 pm  

I would like nothing better than have a vibrant academy setup, with progression to the first grade squad.

However, the reality is, and always has been, the proximity of SL clubs such as Wigan, Warrington & Saints - and even currently Widnes and Salford. They will almost always take the cream, and leave us with slim pickings. There will always be some of the remainder who flourish, but the expenditure on a proper academy set up may not justify the odd couple of stars graduating through the ranks.

Also, are there not strict RFL guidelines as to who can operate academy sides?

Re: Jukes ‘ The Million Pound ‘ mistake : Wed Aug 01, 2018 8:19 pm  

Alan wrote:

But what about those of us on THIS side of the hill?

Alan, you are closer than most outside of God’s county so count your blessings, and you also get the chance to travel over here to watch the beautiful game.

Re: Jukes ‘ The Million Pound ‘ mistake : Wed Aug 01, 2018 8:24 pm  

I am genuinely sorry to see Leigh down at the moment. I hope that you find your way and make it back to the top flight at some point. But I think some of your fans are being unfair to your owner Derek Beaumont. His passion for the club has been plain to see. To question his commitment at this stage is unfair. If as I have read on here, he and his company have lent the club £1.7 Million AND if as I have also read on here he has said he will bite the bullet and take that debt with him when he leaves. I don't know what more he could do for the club he obviously loves. Accepting that he cannot put anymore into the club, he has done right by you by leaving you in the best possible position he can to find new backers, Good luck to you for the future.

Re: Jukes ‘ The Million Pound ‘ mistake : Wed Aug 01, 2018 8:25 pm  

Also, we set up an academy but we still have local lads being picked up by the likes of Leeds and Hudds but also Warrington and other clubs over your side. What a nightmare but, we could have used all these excuses and not started it, but we did and it’s paying dividends. I’d say that from Fax lads in SL this year then you’d have the start of a decent team.

Re: Jukes ‘ The Million Pound ‘ mistake : Wed Aug 01, 2018 8:34 pm  

Norman Bates wrote:

Alan, you are closer than most outside of God’s county so count your blessings, and you also get the chance to travel over here to watch the beautiful game.

Hang on Norman! What I was trying to say, in my usual subtle way, is that I consider you lot to be on the 'Dark Side' and us to be in 'God's own county'!

Meanwhile, I will be rooting for you guys to do well, in the '8's' and' if you don't get promoted, then at least I'll be delighted to travel over to the 'Dark side' and visit Fax, Fev, Batley, Dewsbury etc next season. (providing we don't end up in liquidation, and League1!!)

Re: Jukes ‘ The Million Pound ‘ mistake : Wed Aug 01, 2018 8:42 pm  

Exposure wrote:

Now all the dust as settled , you can’t help look back at Neil Jukes tenure as a complete disaster. I cannot believe a business man like Mr Beaumont would be totally blinkered with a friendship that eventually led to his demise. As everyone knows a fish rots from the head and Derek admits he is at fault due to poor decision making. If he his the man he says he is , he should back the team even more.
With the support the club as and the foundations put in place I see the club thriving in 18 months time.

You joined RLFANS just to post that....BLESS ! Pathetic

Re: Jukes ‘ The Million Pound ‘ mistake : Wed Aug 01, 2018 8:45 pm  

Haha, I know.
I’d be surprised if we went up but you just never know, team spirit has carried us a long way in the past (86/87) and these guys ate channeling that spirit. If we don’t go up I think you guys will be OK as you are a good proposition to somebody, good ground, good crowds.
Derek did his best but had no patience, you would have gone back up if you’d kept your squad from last year with a couple of additions.

Re: Jukes ‘ The Million Pound ‘ mistake : Thu Aug 02, 2018 6:14 am  

Norman Bates wrote:

Also, we set up an academy but we still have local lads being picked up by the likes of Leeds and Hudds but also Warrington and other clubs over your side. What a nightmare but, we could have used all these excuses and not started it, but we did and it’s paying dividends. I’d say that from Fax lads in SL this year then you’d have the start of a decent team.

Norman , Similarily with Bradford ' if you produce them it is almost impossible to keep them , there are several players at our SL neighbours ( England Internationals ) who we had at scholarship level but were ' poached' at academy induction

You have to consider the return on investment

Re: Jukes ‘ The Million Pound ‘ mistake : Thu Aug 02, 2018 6:28 am  

Exposure wrote:

Now all the dust as settled , you can’t help look back at Neil Jukes tenure as a complete disaster. I cannot believe a business man like Mr Beaumont would be totally blinkered with a friendship that eventually led to his demise. As everyone knows a fish rots from the head and Derek admits he is at fault due to poor decision making. If he his the man he says he is , he should back the team even more.
With the support the club as and the foundations put in place I see the club thriving in 18 months time.

I'd like to thank Neil and Derek for getting us promoted to SL and for being competitive in it , we genuinely were a bounce of a ball or a dodgy refs call from staying up