Fans Panel Meeting
Wednesday 1st March 2017
Attendees: Carol Green, Gary Fox, Barry Brown, Phil Buxton, Stewart Thompson,
Carl Hall, Gary Thornton, Gavin Baldwin, Mark Hughesman, Ray Green.
Carl Hall welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked them for attending.
Questions:
To Gary Thornton
What is your thinking behind having 3 props on the bench for the Keighley and Myton games? For the Keighley game we had 6 props in the 17.
GT: For the Keighley game the condition of the field was taken into consideration – it is not the best pitch so we went with 3 props on the bench as it would be a forward battle so we went with the game plan.
We have a big mobile pack and in the 2 Cup games all the players have been involved.
In the local press you stated we haven’t a discipline problem. Then you said Hedges sin binning let in 3 tries. Could you clarify?
GT: There is no discipline problem – Jordie’s tackle was bad technique not aggressive. It was poor tackle technique and you have to suffer the consequences – and sometimes the officials don’t get things right. Jordie is not a dirty player and he is remorseful. We do not coach foul play. Jordie got it wrong, there was no malicious intent and we are considering appealing the 6 games.
Has Jordan Howden broken down again and any news on Mason Tonks and Corey Hanson?
GT: Jordan missed Sunday just as a precaution, with a completely different injury, but will be available this week. His hip problem will be managed week by week and it will be sorted out at the end of the season.
Cory has been very ill with the flu. He stayed away to stop this spreading. He was out for 2 weeks but has had 2 run outs with Hull 23’s. He is on the road to recovery and needs 2 weeks good training.
Mason has been very unlucky with injuries. Last season he had knee construction, broke his leg and suffered concussion. He has done well to get over this but now he has a problem with his back. A change of job to manual work has not helped this as he keeps getting spasms in his back. He is desperate to play and rushing back does not give time for injuries to heal but obviously he has to work. We need to slow him down.
This season we have 25 players so if they get a little knock it is not worth the risk playing them. This time last year we had 17 injuries. This year if the player is not 100% fit they will not be risked.
Stewart Thompson asked if players suffer from depression when not playing. This is often the case when players just want to play but can’t due to injuries. Carl Hall responded that at the Dons we are very big on player welfare – we are always there to help when a player is struggling and we are always on the phone to them to make sure they are OK. There are no issue at this Club.
To Carl Hall
I rely on the Official Site for news, the 19 man squad for the Keighley game wasn’t put on the Official Site. I note it was on for the Myton game. Can you assure me the squad will be included for future fixtures?
CH: Yes, the policy going forward will be for this to happen. There is communication between Gary and the Media Team and will be announced by 3pm on a Friday before the game.
Does anyone know when we are playing the Oxford game (26th March) seeing as the Rovers are at home on Sky that day?
CH: Oxford are still in both Cup competitions so there no free weekends yet but as soon as there is the game will be fixed, otherwise it could probably be mid-week.
Open Questions:
Why is ‘Dons News’ on the Total RFL site and news not on our forum?
CH: Dons News was set up about 6 years ago when Mark Turner was working as Media Manager and this was set up to auto link to the Total RL. This is happening automatically but Mark Hughesman will look into this and get it stopped.
GB: We should make the website good and would prefer that everyone uses the Official Club Website for information because the higher number of users, the more advertising we can attract which will increase revenue which can be spent on improving the club.
CH: We aim to be more consistent with our reporting by planning a schedule of events; in the Dugout will now on the website by Friday 5pm and the Coaches comments on after the game. From Tuesday we will be looking at previews of up coming games.
Is Dual Reg still an option and would we be able to have senior players?
CH: We cannot have any 1st team players with a contract of over £50K.
GT: We will have to go with any players that have been made available.
Are you looking at signing any other Half Back? What about Brad Delany?
GT: He is less experienced than those we have. We have Jordan Howden, Jack Miller and Kieran Cross and whoever is available from Hull FC.
CH: A few years ago we won the league with 2 half back from Leeds Academy aged 19 and 20.
How is team spirit progressing?
GT: Very good, the players get together when they can and go out for meals. The team spirit here is the best I have experienced since I started coaching.
Can we train on a small pitch in preparation of games on Athletics pitch?
GT: Yes, if there is the opportunity as last year.
CH: Hunslet game has been changed so we can play the game on the main pitch instead of the Athletics. If possible we shall see if we can bring forward the Barrow and Newcastle games.
GT: Also with lighter nights coming more outside training can take place.
We really need to get bums on seats and increase attendances?
CH: Connor Scott is now in Schools every day and through Sky Try we will doing deals with Schools to attend matches. Junior Takeover Day will take place on the Keighley game (21st May) and there is a lot more to come.
In conclusion, Carl stated that these players want to do their best and play their best every week for the Club. We want to win our games and get out of this League. We are aiming for promotion.
Thank you to everyone who attended.
