Official West Hartlepool RFC

what do i need to give my head a shake over dave? the amount of new players i mentioned or the fact that i said lads would leave?
i'm not trying to stir i'm just trying to find out if any truth lies in the rumours i am hearing! I believe we need some new faces if we wish to compete at the top end of N1 (taking nothing away from the lads this year cos they were all awesome and all mates of mine!) but i was also pointing out that if too many come in we would lose players! i'm not talking about a mass exodus just if a lot of new lads came along 1 or 2 might seek 1st team elsewhere. it happens up and down the country every season!

Having watched a North One game the other week while we were down at Birkinhead park I'd say West will need to make a few signings to compete at that level.

Birkinhead park were bigger, fitter, stronger and more organised than any thing I've seen this year in N2E - and by all accounts still only a mid table side.

It'll be interesting to see if the rumours going round about players going to west have any truth in them.

It will be a big ask for West to stay up in North One, would players stay if replaced by imports? Particuarly with Rovers open chequebook policy!!!

Great idea.Hope it works. 1st team only as strong as teams behind it.Idea of 3rds playing in Tees valley league a step forward also.Good luck...

Oldge, I am 100% behind what you are saying. It goes without saying that if lads who are used to playing 1st team find themselves playing more 2nd teams games they MAY try and find 1st team action somewhere else. Not sure why Dave want's you to give your head a shake!!

As for getting 4 teams out, I really really hope it happens and will be fantastic for the club, but will not hold my breath. The thirds struggled for numbers this season gone at times and really curious as to where the extra players are coming from. I know that the Ams actually have something like 30 registered players, but most of these must be closer to playing crown green bowling than rugby, and retired years ago - Tony just likes having them registered still, just in case :):) :oD

There are quite a few ex 1st teamers who have enjoyed a good season in the Stags. Wallah, Greg, Tinker,Panda,Dash to name a few. Surely the idea is to play for YOUR club and enjoy the rugby and the craic.

Oldge -I was just suggesting that it was a bit daft to speculate on rumours and start scaremongering. We normally leave that to our neighbours who are quite good at it.

Hi People

as an outsider now I think this can only help west you have to plan a new team it will not appear on it own, ask Grievo1.

The thing on the thread I do not understand is the “:oD” and “:oP” at the end of the posts what does this mean.

ahh the smilies came up after i posted. Before on the post they were just letters must be our fire wall.

As long as I'm getting a game of rugby I don't care too much and I think the other lads are the same. Rekun we all enjoyed last season whichever team we were playing for at the time.
The only issue we had was when davey walked back into the firsts when he should have had some games in the Stags first

Bit rich for Wonderish to have a pop when I hear Drifield had loads of imports which got them nowhere. The names Ive heard mentioned are all West players who want to come back so deffo not imports.

I'd be interested to know if CB plays regular first team - and if not whether he'd still have that attitude if he did.

I think its a big ask for lads to drop to your second team after a what was clearly a very succesful season - but thats the price of progress and something I'm sure every improving team has to deal with.

Some lads may be of the opinion that they may only have a short rugby career and want to play as a high a level as they can - you can only pick 18 on a match day.

It'll also be interesting to see if West's attitude against paying players softens any over next season.

What about expenses? I know some claim these and some don't?

thridteamer - please re-read honsec's post, as he says, there have been previous first team players who have enjoyed a good season with the stags this year

Third teamer I have played firsts a few times but so what Youre obviously not from west so whats it got to do with you.
Any team that goes up a league and doesnt strenghen will probably come strait back down. The lads know that and theyre prepared to improve their play and fight for their places Im sure.

I think thats the whole advantage of having a bigger squad than in previous years, it puts pressure on the 1st team to keep their performances up - as they know that if they dont there are players more than capable enough of taking their place !

Mikeyboy you're obviously sure that honsec speaks for the entire playing squad but I wouldn't be too sure that any players who get replaced this year will feel the same - especially after such a good season.

Club loyalty obviously goes a long way but some players ambition will obviously make the difference. it's something which all clubs experience - I even remeber one of your most prominent current players training with us a few years ago.

CB, given that this is an internet forum I just thought I'd air my views is thats alright with you.

only cos he spat his dummy out :oD

CB

For the avoidance of doubt

I did indeed say that West will need to strengthen their ranks to have any sort of an impact on North One - having whatched a game that was my opinion.

I also think that this will obviously put some "noses out of joint" given how well West have done this year - I hardly think that any observation of this kind is hard to come too. As I said in previous post - thats teh price of progress and you cant keep everyone happy.

I'm simply pointing out that your view of club loyalty and everyone being happy to take one for teh team will wear a bit thin - and to be hones their are obviously some players at West who I'd like to see playing for Rovers but I hardly think thats a revelation.