Featherstone

[TC]

Bad luck Graham. Sounds like Whitehaven were way too good on the day. With the Robins out of contention it would have been nice to see your boys move along.

Best wishes next year. (Hopefully you'll be Runners up to the mighty
HULL KR).

Seriously though, I'm sure this year has produced a lot of positives for Fev and will see you in good stead for next season.

[Graham Las Darrington]

Spot on TC.
You've summed it up right.
Whitehaven were better on the day, they're a big side. Even they will find Leigh tough next weekend though. I thought that the SL Gents would be announcing this week whether either or both of the two finalists had met the criteria for SL entry so that if they win they could replace Cas. No word from them yet as far as I can see.

Promotion this season will mean an even tougher fight than ever for the side going up as two come down at the end of 2005 to let Perpignan in. Good luck to whichever team goes up as both of them have been strong throughout 2004.

I was in the clubhouse with the Fev team on Sunday evening. As you can guess they were more subdued than the previous week. As far as I was concerned they can hold their heads high! They've come on leaps and bounds this year.

I hope Cas do come down as they are our natural rivals and there should be cracking derby matches.

Good luck to Hull KR ... both our teams will have to battle as Cas will have finances that will be on a different scale to the rest of us.

[Graham Las Darrington]

BBC RL Website:

Hull KR are looking for a new coach after Martin Hall rejected the offer of a new contract at Craven Park.
Hall, who joined the club in December, said he was leaving for "personal and family" reasons.

"It was essential that a decision was made now to allow the club to re-appoint and plan for an effective pre-season program(m)e," he said.

According to my Yorkshire Post it said the journey from his home in Lancashire to Hull was a major factor in his decision.
I believe Neil Kelly has expressed an interest ... or at least he's said some positive things about the Robins e.g. they're serious about going for SL
I wonder if Martin fancies the job at Oldham?

[TC]

Yes, I read that. Rather disappointing.

I'm not at all sure that Neil Kelly is the way of the future. From what I know he is a good but not great coach, and I think that should the Robins make their way into the top flight he will struggle badly as he has seemed to in the past.

However, I'm sure more knowledgeable heads than mine will guide the way. I guess we should consider Hall leaving not as a loss, rather as an opportunity.

[Graham Las Darrington]

Getting a good coach seems to be like winning the lottery.
Perhaps the best scenario is spotting a good up and coming bloke who has enthusiasm and everything to prove. To pick Neil K or similar a club has to be absolutely sure they really want to be there doing the job, and not just holding the fort while another job comes up for them.
Good luck to the Robins in their search.
In Gary Price, Fev seem to have turned up just such a young up hardworking bloke. Despite a baptism of fire he's settled in well and shown that he'll have his way and move awkward players on even if they are crowd pleasers.
In Craig Bellamy Storm have a great example of someone determined to ring some bells!

[Graham Las Darrington]

BBC RL Website Tuesday 11th:

Howard becomes coach of Hull KR

Hull Kingston Rovers have appointed Harvey Howard as their new head coach.
The former Great Britain forward replaces Martin Hall, who quit the National League One club last week.

Howard, who has agreed a two-year deal, retired from playing earlier this year after injuring his neck in car crash.

The 36-year-old joined Hull two years ago and was assistant coach last year.

"I think I can do a sensational job," he said.

Howard began his professional career with Widnes in 1990 before playing for Leeds, Bradford, Western Suburbs and Brisbane Broncos.

He won a Grand Final with the Broncos before returning to Britain with Wigan, playing in a Super League Grand Final and then moving to Hull KR.

Fev's coach Gary Price has agreed a new contract and is busy sorting out next year's squad.
There's always a fair number of comings and goings in NL1

[AAS]

BBC RL Website:

Hull KR are looking for a new coach after Martin Hall rejected the offer of a new contract at Craven Park.
Hall, who joined the club in December, said he was leaving for "personal and family" reasons.

"It was essential that a decision was made now to allow the club to re-appoint and plan for an effective pre-season program(m)e," he said.

According to my Yorkshire Post it said the journey from his home in Lancashire to Hull was a major factor in his decision.
I believe Neil Kelly has expressed an interest ... or at least he's said some positive things about the Robins e.g. they're serious about going for SL
I wonder if Martin fancies the job at Oldham?

You can have Neil Kelly. He stuffed up my Vikings Really Bad. Widnes Players were all Yorkshirian.

[TC]

"I think I can do a sensational job"

Good news this. Harves was a great player and had plenty of smarts too. I think he'll do well for us. As I said, I wasn't all that confident with the idea of Mr Kelly, so thanks AAS - you can keep him.

Good news for you too Graham. Gary Price seems to have fitted in well at Fev and the future looks bright.

[Graham Las Darrington]

We had Neil's older brother Andy Kelly as our coach for a couple of seasons. He started promisingly but it all fell apart when we went a whole season without an away win! Having said that he did get Wakefield promoted into SL (beating Fev in the GF )

Both teams will need lots of positivity next season as Cas are coming down and promising to throw big money about!