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Stanky, the team and the future!

"There has been a lot of speculation over the last week as to whether I will be remaining at the club for the 2013 season and so I felt the timing was right to let everybody know of my plans. The Board of Directors have known for quite some time of my intentions after this season comes to an end, but as a Board, prior to this point, we felt it unnecessary to detract from the playing season by making any announcements. But, with speculation rife, and with not much of this season left to play, our 'behind the scenes' planning and implementation for 2013 will now begin.

Personally, I have taken the decision to not take up the offer of coaching the side for next season. There are numerous personal and Professional reasons for this decision and throughout my decision making process, which has been considered for many months, I have been in constant consultation with the Board of Directors as to my thoughts and personal plans.

I have been involved in this great game of ours for over 16 years as a Professional player and as a Professional Coach, and I feel that now is the time to review where I want to take my coaching credentials. Over the past 3 seasons at Rochdale Hornets, I have thoroughly enjoyed myself and despite some 'downs' as well as 'ups', I feel that I have been able to give the playing side some stability and more importantly a Professionalism that will reap rewards in the future.

It is no secret that I have become frustrated at times with a lack of money available, meaning that other competing clubs have 'outbid' us for players, and teams have been able to go 'one step further' than we have at Hornets. With that in mind, although I have set up my own business I will be involved at Rochdale Hornets in 2013 but in a different capacity with different business goals.

My role, working with others in 2013 will be to raise much needed funds as we look to take the club forward off the field. I know only too well that off field 'activity' has a direct impact on the 'on field' performances and results, and I will be working extremely hard to not only attract lucrative sponsors, but also to increase spectator numbers so that we can raise our bank balances and hopefully have the opportunity to compete with the higher spending teams.

If you take a look at the teams that currently lie above us in the Championship 1 table, you have to ask yourself, is it really coincidence that the teams that have spent 'big money' are occupying the promotion places?

I'd like to think that Rochdale Hornets can be a club that not only competes on the field, as we have done for the last 3 seasons, but also competes off the field for the signatures of the best players. Only then, will we begin to see noticeable improvement as a team.

Of course, the search will begin to find a successor to myself and the Board of Directors will no doubt keep you informed of any progress.

Lastly, I'd like to thank all the fans for the support you have given me since I joined the club as Head Coach back in 2009 and I'd like to say that although I am handing the coaching reigns over to another, my passion for Rochdale Hornets, the players, staff and supporters has only increased over time, and I am determined to have a huge contribution 'off the field' in 2013 and onwards.

As a group of Coaching Staff, we will begin to implement certain thoughts, ideas and strategies throughout the next 4 league games, as we continue to fight for promotion, but at the same time we will be assessing the direction of which the playing squad will go next year".

Message from the chair

It has been incredibly frustrating over the last week or so that the news of John`s stepping down at the end of the season leaked out and that John was put in the position of having to answer questions about his future before the club had been able to tell the members first. This coupled to some problems with the newsletter software delayed us getting the information out there to you, our members. Rest assured that it is the policy of the club that members will always be given the information first.

Frustrations aside we must remember the season isn't over and there is still an outside chance we will win promotion (all be it slim). Rest assured Stanky and the lads will continue to give there all for the cause.

2013 promises to be a huge year for the club. The Channel 4 documentary featuring the club is down to be broadcast in October/November this year, which should give us a springboard to push the club forward. We have the Fiji V Ireland game in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup and the team will have a new coach.
So we have all the ingredients for a ground breaking year.
But having all the ingredients will count for nothing if we don't provide the finances for the coach to make the most of the opportunities available to us.

Now as members of this club we can either sit there and wait for someone else to do something, or we can put our hands up to stand shoulder to shoulder with the team.
When we appoint a new coach will we be able to say, we have sold more season tickets, we have got extra members of the club and the lottery?
Will we able to say we have more and bigger sponsors?
If we can't say yes to the questions asked then how can we expect the coach to deliver a winning team?

I had a very encouraging telephone conversation with a Hornets member this evening who enquired about John`s role in 2013. They have asked John to contact him so he can pass on a list of potential sponsors. If every member gave John just a couple of potential leads then I am sure this would be a massive help with what we are trying to achieve.

We are trying to increase the commercial activity at the club and devoting more of our efforts to this end, and as recent accounts have shown we run a tight ship, but again we need to up the income streams to give the new coach the best possible chance.
Off the field we have some very exciting irons in the fire. If these come to pass then it will be interesting times at Spotland.

At our next home game against South Wales, will you be renewing or signing up for a season ticket?
Will you be asking a friend to join the lottery?

We all know what the answer needs to be.

There are a series superb fundraisers going on at present.
We need members and the friends and families to support these events.

We have our Wembley trip. With only 2 weeks there are still a few places left.

We are having a couple of joint fundraisers with our major sponsor and partner the Wheatsheaf Centre.

On the bank holiday weekend we have a charity parachute jump!

In September Martin at the Wheatsheaf Centre has organised an 80`s night at the China City Restaurant. Anyone who went to last year's event will tell you how fantastic a night it was!

Finally in October we have our Season celebration Dinner.
Tickets are only £25 and again it promises to be a special event.

Please contact the office to support these events.

New Coach

With the news of Stanky stepping down at the end of the season the obvious speculation about who will replace him has begun.
What I can tell you is that the club has been inundated with people putting their hands up to be considered as the next coach of Rochdale Hornets. It has been astounding the quality and quantity of the applicants. This is even before the job is formally advertised.
Once the selection process has been completed then the announcement will be made through the members' newsletter, therefore ensuring that members are the first to know.

Dates for your Diary:

Sunday 12 August 2012
Rochdale Hornets v South Wales Scorpions
Spotland Stadium, kick off 3:00pm
Usual admission costs apply

Sunday 19 August 2012
Rochdale Hornets v Barrow Raiders
Spotland Stadium, kick off 3:00pm
Usual admission costs apply

Saturday 25 August 2012
Carnegie Challenge Cup Final Trip
Leeds Rhinos v Warrington Wolves
Wembley Stadium, kick off 2:30pm (departure time to be announced shortly)
£49 per person, including match ticket, return coach travel and breakfast
For more details please visit www.hornetsrugbyleague.co.uk

Sunday 7 October 2012
End of Season Celebration Lunch
Ratcliffe Suite, Sandy Lane, Rochdale, 12:00pm onwards
£25 per person (£10 under 16s) including three course lunch followed by coffee and mints

Friday 7 December 2012
4:30pm
Deadline for Early Bird Season Tickets

Rochdale Hornets Rugby League
Spotland Stadium, Sandy Lane, Rochdale, OL11 5DS
Tel: 01706 648004, Fax 01706 344545
www.hornetsrugbyleague.co.uk