message from matt calland : Thu Jun 04, 2009 2:10 pm
Subject: Personal Message from Matt Calland
Hi there
Hopefully by now you will have read that I have signed a new Two year contract that I’ve been offered by the Club. I’m really pleased that the Club has so much faith in me and I’m happy to pledge myself to the Fax for the next couple of years.
Obviously this is a big commitment from both me and the Club, but both of us see the future as very bright at Halifax . The stadium will be finished in time for the start of next season, we have a really good scholarship up and running under Colin Smith and Martin Gonzalez, the team is playing well so far and we shall hopefully be in the running for silver ware this time.
You may have also seen that the Club are starting “The Road to Super League” campaign now, giving ourselves plenty of time to achieve all the other requirements on which the RFL insist.
The biggest part of getting the Club fit for Super League will fall on Martin Hall and myself, and that’s getting a team fit for purpose. We have the basis of a good squad right now, but as every team that’s been promoted recently has found out, it’s a really big step up from the Championship to Super League.
If we are to apply for Super League and get in, we’ll need to strengthen the team. I reckon we’ll need around 5/6 new players, and I’d really like to start to assemble that squad over the next couple of seasons, but that obviously costs money!
And there’s really only a couple of ways we can raise that money. Obviously more sponsorships, but that’s going to be difficult over the next 12 months given the economic climate. . . .so that leaves us either trying to increase the crowds at home games or trying to increase our lottery sales.
So I’m appealing to you as a Fax fan. . .if you’re not already a member of Cashfax might you think about spending a £1 a week? . . . or better than that could you collect from your mates at work. . as an agent you’d get great commission and you don’t have to do all this by yourself. Richard in the lottery office will help recruit your workmates as members for you.
We’ll need 150 new members for each new player I can sign. . . It seems that less than 20% of our season ticket holder are members. If they all signed up I’d be able to sign all the players I want. . or perhaps there’s someone in your family or neighbourhood who might join. . .you’ve a much better chance of winning than on the National Lottery.
I’ve now committed myself to Fax for the next two years, over the next couple of weeks you’ll see that a lot of the players too will be as committed. . so what about you? Are you committed to taking Fax into Super League? If so please get behind us and help me build a team that you’ll be proud of.
You can join the lottery by ringing Richard on 01422 342792, or he’ll be around the South stand area on Sunday looking for recruits. Hopefully you might be one.
Cheers
Matt Calland