Hornets' Ray of hope : Success is in supporters' hands too.
The upbeat mood of Friday's Fans' Forum was tempered by the news Ray Taylor brought from the meeting of NFP clubs held earlier in the day. He announced not only that the convoluted fixture format that would enable our competition to switch the season to summer had been rejected in favour of a ten month season of 36 games PLUS a spurious break in the middle for a cup competition, but also that all the clubs bar five or six had announced that they would not be running an Alliance side next term - effectively disbanding the Alliance League.
The former issue has yet to be ratified at a meeting taking place this week, but is all but settled. The latter leaves Hornets - and coach Martin Hall - with the problem of what to do with the squad members not catching the 17 or those playing their way back into contention from injury or having been dropped for poor form. The general mood amongst the club representatives was that, if enough sides showed an interest, then it would be possible to form a credible Alliance league, but Martin Hall reckons that there'll need to be at least eight clubs interested.
Anyway, back to club matters. For once the mood of a Hornets Fans' Forum was cheerfully self congratulatory. Fans were delighted to se a good Hornets side progressing well, happy to sense genuine ambition from Ray Taylor and generally champing at the bit for the new season to start. But Ray was quick to point out that success comes at a price and, given the end of the Murdoch money (how that phrase has come to echo like a curse on our game), the club now depends on the fundraising efforts of everyone involved if we are to continue our development.
He pointed out that the easiest way of raising the money needed was to add 2000 people to the Saturday Yankee lottery. Or 1000 people taking two numbers a week. Or 500 taking four.
Ray made it clear that if 2000 £1 entries were added, Hornets financial security would be assured. I, like everyone else there, took two application forms - and if you weren't there you can either call the club to pledge your quid a week on 01706 648004 or e-mail me at jim@brightidea.co.uk and I'll tell you how you can enter! (the easiest way is by direct debit at £4.33 per month, but you didn't read it here).
Also introduced to supporters was the club's new marketing manager, Liam O'Reilly (oh, really!). Formerly of Halifax Blue Sox, he spoke of extending the club's reach into the community, of people valuing their connections with the club and of getting the town's 'buy-in' to Hornets' success. He spoke a great deal of common-sense and showed the kind of development-focused drive that the club has lacked in the past. Allied to this, Ray Taylor spoke of the new Rochdale 'service area' representative (that's Rugby League development officer to you and me) and how by growing the game in the schools and amateur clubs, Hornets would become the club to which they would aspire as a first foot on the pro-ladder. This would not only give us a channel through which to unearth good quality local players, but would also provide potential new supporters.
On the playing front Martin Hall said he was happy with the way his squad was coming together and that at least one more signing was in the pipeline. He also said that there were other players interested in coming to the club, but given the uncertainty of the Alliance situation and the need to keep all players happy, they may or may not be pursued further. Watch this space, I guess.
In the end, it was the most positive Fans' Forum I've attended in some time. There was a genuine feeling in the room that the fans are right behind the team, the coaches and the directors. All that remains is for those supporters to dig deep and back the club financially if they want that success to continue.
So do your bit, whatever you can and here's to the new season - whatever shape it takes.