Since 14^th September 2007 and the home defeat by Warrington and subsequently our final Super League game before relegation, I’ve been looking forward to 2008, and although it may mean a season in British RL’s 2^nd tier, I think we’ve reasons to be optimistic.

Having been thorough what happened last season I think we deserve a season of success. And haven’t the club gone the right way of insuring that this happens, what with the players we’ve managed to retain Alker, Fitzpatrick, Wilshere etc and the new guys Robbie Paul, Craig Stapleton, Paul White etc. We may, potentially, have a better-equipped squad than last year.

And what awaits us? Who will be our main challengers? Many have tipped Celtic Crusaders to go well, Leigh are always there or there about, we now have the resurgent Halifax who come off the back of their best season in some time. Whitehaven will be tough especially at the Rec; Widnes could well still put a decent team together following their recent trails and tribulations. Other than them I don’t envisage Dewsbury, Batley, Featherstone (Although our record there is poor) or Sheffield causing us too many problems (Famous last words).

Of course it all kicks off with the Northern Rail Cup and I don’t think we could have asked for a much better group. Oldham, Rochdale & Swinton, all 2^nd division and all virtually on our doorstep. Oldham appear to have signed quite well but I feel they’ll be some distance away from where we will be.

I’m really looking forward to visiting some of these grounds again and then again I’m dreading others.

So that’s both trophies wrapped up now just for the Challenge Cup, no pressure lads! Add to that the news about the imminent stadium building, things look bright, things look RED (s)