LAST COLUMN OF THE SEASON
Well it was nice to finally get a win in our last home game. It's been a long time coming and I am delighted for the supporters. Before I go on I'd like to clear up a few things regarding this column, or lack of it, over the past few weeks. I found it very frustrating going over the same things week after week. It really is difficult when you are not performing and losing every week to come up with positive things to say without it sounding like a stuck record. The club had also had a few Emails from people complaining that it was time to stop talking about it and just get on with it and complaining that we shouldn't be doing this and that etc when we were playing poorly. So I spoke to Duff and we decided that we would just do one column to finish off the season and thankfully it was after we had got the win!!
It was good atmosphere on Sunday and it was good for the boys to finally get the win. It was great to see smiles on the faces of both the players and the fans. It was relief as much as anything because it has really been hard. I know in some games we were well beaten but in a lot of them it was just one score and looking at the table we can all see what might have been and that makes it very tough to take. It was a nice day for the game and I thought we played some good football and the young boys again did well. I know it's only one game but there is no reason why we can't go to Wigan and win. I well remember when I was at Castleford coming here at the end of 2003 for the last game and spoiling the Bulls party when they were getting the League Leaders Shield, so it is possible to do just that.
I managed to get over for a couple of tries at the weekend. It's the first time I have managed that for a while but it was just nice to help the team and you could see what it meant to everyone on the field and it gave us a healthy lead at the break. So yes it was good for me but better for the team.
Meeting the supporters in the Tent after the game was very good. Although we know it's been a disappointing season the supporters have been great and they stayed around in great numbers to get their pictures and autographs.
The main announcement regarding the Season Tickets was very well received and certainly created a buzz at event after the game. I am sure the club will get the 10,000 they need and I am asking all supporters to both make sure you pledge and make sure your family and friends do too. It's a bold move by the club and a great deal for all supporters, particularly in the recessionary times.
Last night I went, as did all the squad, to Headingley to support the players in the Carnegie 9's. It was certainly a very good occasion and I thought the boys were a little unlucky to lose in the final to Wigan. It was the bounce of the ball from two kicks that did for us but we played some good stuff and it was nice to beat Wakefield - in the Semi - for the second time in four days!!
It's the Challenge Cup Final this week and it really is a tough one to call. Both sides are in great form and it should be a tremendous game. I just have a sneaky feeling for Warrington and Sol could be their ace card!! Both him and Semi came to the game last weekend and it was good to see them again. I wished him all the best and I am sure he will do well.
We have a new Coach at the club next season and that will mean some new players coming in and some leaving. Chev Walker as already been announced and his is a quality player. I am sure there will be some more quite soon. There is a lot of stuff going on behind the scenes and it's going to be an exciting time for the club. It's always sad when people leave because you get to know them very well. You really spend more time with them than you do with your family so it's sad when they leave. I am the ‘friend for life' type and I still keep in touch with such as Michael Eagar and Adrian Vowles from my early days at Castleford. But these things happen and we'll all rock up for training in October and meet the new boys, who will quickly become part of the ‘family'. As for the ones who won't be here, well I am sure you will join me in wishing them all the very best for the future.
We have been very much the Naked Team this week. We firstly did the club calendar and I am surprised just how many of the boys put their hands up to take part. Believe me it looks great and is a must for the Christmas stocking!! We also took part in another for the Help for Heroes, which is a very worthy cause. I think Platty had about thirty pics taken!! He wanted to be on every month!!
I must tell you about Heath and Hally. They knew it was a nude calendar and were panicking about the state of their bodies. They had their wives applying fake tan and Heath looked like Dale Winton; he was orange!! They must have put a lot of effort into it and Heath's Mrs, Jess, did a really good job. The only trouble was it's a Black and White Calendar!! They were gutted!
Well that's it for this year and I would really like to thank all the Bulls supporters who have stuck with us through what has been a difficult year. I sincerely hope that next season is a lot more successful and, as I have been given the job for next year, I'll be speaking to you again in February. Enjoy the break and don't forget those pledges!!
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