Re: Staying or Not : Wed Sep 25, 2024 12:44 pm  

MjM wrote:

If you don't enjoy it any more then stopping going makes sense. Feeling the need to tell the world about it in this way on here may make some question your motives.

Hmm, a rather strange but intriguing comment. What other motives do you think someone may have when they have posted something relating to their team on that team’s fans forum. If someone posted they were getting a season ticket for the first time in 10 years for X, Y and Z reasons what do you think their ulterior motive might be?

Re: Staying or Not : Sat Sep 28, 2024 2:09 pm  

MjM wrote:

If you don't enjoy it any more then stopping going makes sense. Feeling the need to tell the world about it in this way on here may make some question your motives.

But the world moves on. For me my favourite aspect of the club's great years were lingering memories of the struggles before - such as 86 and 96. It made the difficult times worth it.

What about the post Golden era?

Re: Staying or Not : Mon Sep 30, 2024 9:00 am  

The post-golden era woes, as far as I understand, are purely on-field issues. In 1996 the club really did face oblivion financially.

The bad times post-2015 may feel worse because we were spoiled for the preceding decade. We talk of the GF win of 2017, the CC win of 2020 and even making the GF in 2022 as 'papering over the cracks', but these achievements are still better than anything the club did for most of the 80s and 90s.

Now we are more frustrated with the club's inability to turn a strong financial, resources and infrastructure position into on-field success.

I suspect there are differing opinions of what minimum success looks like. During the golden years there were quite a few posters on here who were constantly predicting our demise and the need to replace coaches and players. They will not be happy with anything short of the playing roster of the NRL champions. And then there are those of us who just want Leeds to get back into the top clutch of teams in SL, and at least have the potential to be title contenders every year, even if we don't win every time.

Re: Staying or Not : Mon Sep 30, 2024 2:13 pm  

There were a number of us who started worrying about the lack of succession planning before the Goldens ended. As it turns out our worst fears were realised. There clearly was no succession plan worth the name. Junior development had ceased to produce real star quality and we continually signed average players to replace great ones. McDermott stayed too long and had to be sacked, and then Furner-Agar-Smith were poor choices of coach.

Its definitely the case that even since 2015 we've been far more successful than the 80s and 90s. But we've also flirted with relegation several times, and the poor seasons just feel worse after the riches we'd previously seen. For me the issue is that with better management the relative decline could have been stopped years ago, and we really ought to have rebuilt properly way before now.

But it does feel like Arthur may be the coach to at least turn the ship around on the field, and in Blease we at least have an up to date professional managing the club. So I actually feel relatively hopeful for the next couple of seasons.

Re: Staying or Not : Mon Sep 30, 2024 2:50 pm  

Once were Loiners wrote:

There were a number of us who started worrying about the lack of succession planning before the Goldens ended. As it turns out our worst fears were realised. There clearly was no succession plan worth the name. Junior development had ceased to produce real star quality and we continually signed average players to replace great ones. McDermott stayed too long and had to be sacked, and then Furner-Agar-Smith were poor choices of coach.

Its definitely the case that even since 2015 we've been far more successful than the 80s and 90s. But we've also flirted with relegation several times, and the poor seasons just feel worse after the riches we'd previously seen. For me the issue is that with better management the relative decline could have been stopped years ago, and we really ought to have rebuilt properly way before now.

But it does feel like Arthur may be the coach to at least turn the ship around on the field, and in Blease we at least have an up to date professional managing the club. So I actually feel relatively hopeful for the next couple of seasons.

If I hadn't seen such riches, I could live with being poor.

Re: Staying or Not : Mon Sep 30, 2024 3:12 pm  

Oh, sit down…

Re: Staying or Not : Tue Oct 01, 2024 4:54 am  

You know, I almost went for that line when I wrote that. I thought I was getting away with it...

Re: Staying or Not : Tue Oct 01, 2024 8:51 am  

I’ve been getting away with it all my life…

Re: Staying or Not : Wed Oct 02, 2024 7:52 am  

In the 80/90s you had one dominant side in Wigan - the only full time side in northern RL and they could compete with the very best in the NRL. Furner was a bad choice but the team was already in decline. This was compounded by employing Agar who was "last man standing" and eager to have the job. Covid was a challenge for all in the sport as it was for many businesses and coming just after a massive investment in the stadium timing couldn't have been worse.

Most fans just want the team to play at "elite" level where the basic skills are performed to a high standard in an entertaining brand of rugby. The players should have a pride in their professionalism including their fitness - something sadly lacking at Leeds.

How many on here can say they look forward to attending games - how many attend because "that is what we do"

I used to really enjoy watching Murray's teams play - they were tough, skillful and totally committed plus they had real superstars in Harris,Goddin, Morley and Blackmore backed up by a host of talented players - Newton, Sheridan, Cummins etc. All topped of with a coach who understood what it was to be a fan and his joy at being in his role was evident to everyone.

I don't expect the team to win every game I just want to be entertained.

Re: Staying or Not : Wed Oct 02, 2024 9:12 am  

My decision on Season Ticket will depend on the revue and implementation of the game rules. Which deserves its own post.

What we do, recruit etc wont influence that, but if course i want us to challenge next year.