I don't know why people are up his arse with this thread. No fucker is interested in how the Lions are doing. If he wants loyalty out of Widnes Fans, then buy a dog. His words.
Agree he hasn't come here after the dirty play from Swinton. I am a Widnes fan and don't care about Swinton winning or losing.
Okay, as I mentioned on the Kilshaw thread, here's an update about the various happenings at my mob during my abense from this board.
We got relegated, and I know some members in here, are pleased about that!
Did we deserve be? The table tells no lies, and we were thrown in to winner takes all / loser gets nowt game with Hunslet.
On the day, they wanted it more than us, so Penryn will be in the sat-nav next term, and even though we're not there till the end of August, our apartment is already booked!
What about the ex-Lions who'll be Chemics in the next campaign?
Dec Patton arrives at NP after a brief stopover at POR. He showed (more than once) with us what a quality footballer be is, but also (more than once) he blotted his copybook big style, with comments to the ref. If he behaves, he should be an asset to you.
Lewis Hall - Dependable, and consistent 11 / 12 / 13, who always puts a shift in.
Gav Bennion - In his initial spell with us, he was on fire, and I thought he might've got chance at the top table. But he (for reasons we can all guess at) went to Rochdale. My mate at 'Ornits was not over impressed with him, and since he came back, he's been nowhere near the player he was first time round. Injuries haven't helped, so we'll just have to see how he performs once he pulls on a on Widnes shirt.
Spelly.
Evening Spelly, welcome back.
Coleman seems to have the knack of getting the best out of players. I assume he coached Bennion previously so must think he can get the best out of him.
There have been a fair few coaches who thought they could get the best out of Patten without really getting the best out of him so again it will be a good test for Coleman.
With our budget we have to take a few chances but it worked last year up to a point so if we can build on that I will be happy.
I see Kilshaw got a 3 month coaching suspension for his misdemeanours which won't mean anything as he has gone off coaching in Oz which is probably for the best and we all move on...
Cornwall in August, very nice. Enjoy
1) Evening Spelly, welcome back.
Coleman seems to have the knack of getting the best out of players. I assume he coached Bennion previously so must think he can get the best out of him.
There have been a fair few coaches who thought they could get the best out of Patten without really getting the best out of him so again it will be a good test for Coleman.
With our budget we have to take a few chances but it worked last year up to a point so if we can build on that I will be happy.
2) I see Kilshaw got a 3 month coaching suspension for his misdemeanours which won't mean anything as he has gone off coaching in Oz which is probably for the best and we all move on...
3) Cornwall in August, very nice. Enjoy
1) and 3) Thank you!
2) I would imagine if he errs whilst away, the ban will kick in, but I admit that I'm far from sure.
Spelly
Well, we're DRd again with Saints.
Thought we'd missed out when Wellens and Co announced they were partnering with 'Fax, but as last year, they're linking with a League 1 club, as well as one from the middle tier.
I would imagine the men from the Shay will have first pick, but with our mainly young squad of only twenty-one, there'll be a few from Saints (kids?) swelling our numbers, but..............
I wouldn't think there'll be any on parade for our opener, as we'll be heading to 'Haven in a fortnight on the Wembley trail, and Wellens won't want 'em cup-tied.
No friendlies for us, so could we be under cooked at the Rec?
Like us, they've had a big change over in personnel, and got seriously stuffed at Craven Park the other evening, so we'll have to see what transpires.
COME ON YOU LIONS!!
Spelly
So the carrot to win at 'Haven on Saturday week, is a money spinning tie at home to your nearest, and no so dearest.
Just spoke to my mate at the Rec, and he's buzzing too.
Spelly.
Our squad of twenty-one tomorrow is comprised of just nine retainees, and a dozen newbies!
Just had a message from my mate at the Rec, and the weather up there is (currently) dry, sunny, and windy. So hopefully the pitch will be pretty firm.
As I mentioned previously, a win will produce a nice earner for us, with your nearest, and not so dearest coming to Heywood Road, but..................
I've no doubt that all at 'Haven will be thinking exactly the same!
As usual for a trip to West Cumbria, we'll be calling at Keswick on the way, for a spot of lunch.
COME ON YOU LIONS!!!
Spelly.
'Haven 24-12 Lions, and a lack of fitness cost us big style!
12-0 up at the interval, but from about the hour mark, we looked a tired team.
The chance of a money maker gone.☹️
Spelly.
I think, spelly, you are going to have a long and hard season this time....
I think, spelly, you are going to have a long and hard season this time....
On the evidence of yesterday, I wouldn't argue with that one jot mate!
No friendlies played (they've had two) and it showed big style the longer the game went on!
We were defo the better team in the first half, but (lack of) fitness told, and their last try just before the end, was just a walk through for 'em.
As I mentioned, the chance to make some decent dosh with a visit of Burgess' Boys, has now gone.
Nowt for us next week, but I'll be at Mayfield on Saturday for the 'Ornits v Cornwall 1895 preliminary round tie. We travel to the winners in round one, and am hoping for a home win to save me a few quid!
Spelly.
Went to Mayfield today, where it finished 'Ornits 64-12 Choughs, meaning...................
It's a twenty minutes ride on the motorway for us in the next round, and not an expensive weekend in the deep south-west!
Gonna be tasty on Sunday!
Obviously, the "Mazey Factor" will kick in, with Swintonian memories still fresh about his exit from us, following the Manchester fiasco, and I'm sure he'd love to give us a bloody nose!
We'll have to improve vastly on our previous outing, which was the second half collapse up at the Rec, in our only competitive game so far this term.
It's just a twenty minute ride, so we should have a decent following to see if we can progress, and qualify for a trip to the 'Yeds in the next round.
COME ON YOU LIONS!!!!
Spelly.
Just back from a Baltic Spotland, where it finished 'Ornits 18-16 Lions.
10-6 to us at the break, then two quick scores for them took it to 16-10 for the hosts, before we levelled it at 16-16, but.....
A penalty from bang in front, and only about twenty metres out, was slotted over, and that was the diff in the scores, as they held on for a visit to Oldham in the next round.
We looked a bit fitter than up at 'Haven, and hopefully that'll continue to improve.
'Haven at ours is our next appointment, a week today in the league opener, where Adam Hills is the special guest.
Congrats on your win across la Manche yesterday.
Spelly.
As we're both no longer involved in the cup(s) we've arranged an away friendly against the Crusaders tomorrow week with an 8.00pm kick-off.
As with you mob, there's now a shed-load of ex-Lions plying their trade at Stadiwm CSM, so it might get a bit tasty. But......
Before that, we host 'Haven in the league opener on Sunday.
COME ON YOU LIONS!!!
Spelly.