news from cumbria

[troutmaster]

Good morning to all our footie friends in New zealand,the big news in town at the moment is the suspension of Workington towns coach Gerard stokes.An incident took place between ged and a fan from the Barrow club in the 200 club lounge after the game with Barrow at Workington,apparently the young man decided to have a pop at ged verbally mind you, and ged took a disike to him and told him so in words we do not like to use on this site.In my opinion he done right as you do not want some little pillock having a go at the boss and trying to look big and brave.On a more serious note though it was not what you would really expect from the senior coach at the club, and i think ged should have been able to restrain himself from taking the action he did. It coincides with a bad run of results for the Club and there were and still are a lot of town fans calling for his head,and this suspension seemed to some of his detractors the best time to get him sacked and they believe he will be probably this week.The team in general were very low in moral due to the results and other problems with the team, but as soon as the suspension was implemented there was a massive difference in the players attitude to training and in their own individual performances.The week after geds suspension Town had a game at home to the Gateshead side and you would not have believed it was the same team,after five defeats with big scores against them they went out and thrashed the thunder boys 68.0, and what game it was with fast open rugby and tries scored that made your hair stand up.We had not seen play like this for over two years,well you can guess the reaction from a very low crowd of 450 fans as they were over the moon.The next game was a big one Featherstone rovers were in town, and they are fancied to win the 2nd division as they had recruited a few Super league players to get them promoted so it was a real test for the club following the big win last week.Well it was a fantastic game only spoiled in parts by the tosser in the middle he was bent as a barn yard door and town had to beat him and they did,what an advert for Rugby league, two sides knocking the crap out of eachother and with no score in the first 30 minutes it was not going to be a big score today.Town scored first and the 780 fans went crazy, but fev being a good side hit back and going in for the first half town led 12.6,anyway at the final hooter town had beaten fev by 16.13 in a fantastic game played by TWO good sides.A brilliant result for town and their fans,some say that the shackles had been lifted since ged was away and that the players were showing just what they can do if given the freedom to play.So we are all waiting with baited breath for the Clubs decision on Ged and in the meanwhile Ged has called in the top lawyer to shout his case if needed,i will keep you informed of the Clubs descision when it is announced. Ps.Ged is very confident he will still be the coach at Town, and he says he cannot wait to get back in charge and get on with the job he was given.Good words from the big man.Enjoy your rugby being played by the best in the world in New Zealand.

 

[Skinner]

Good morning to all our footie friends in New zealand,the big news in town at the moment is the suspension of Workington towns coach Gerard stokes.An incident took place between ged and a fan from the Barrow club in the 200 club lounge after the game with Barrow at Workington,apparently the young man decided to have a pop at ged verbally mind you, and ged took a disike to him and told him so in words we do not like to use on this site.In my opinion he done right as you do not want some little pillock having a go at the boss and trying to look big and brave.On a more serious note though it was not what you would really expect from the senior coach at the club, and i think ged should have been able to restrain himself from taking the action he did. It coincides with a bad run of results for the Club and there were and still are a lot of town fans calling for his head,and this suspension seemed to some of his detractors the best time to get him sacked and they believe he will be probably this week.The team in general were very low in moral due to the results and other problems with the team, but as soon as the suspension was implemented there was a massive difference in the players attitude to training and in their own individual performances.The week after geds suspension Town had a game at home to the Gateshead side and you would not have believed it was the same team,after five defeats with big scores against them they went out and thrashed the thunder boys 68.0, and what game it was with fast open rugby and tries scored that made your hair stand up.We had not seen play like this for over two years,well you can guess the reaction from a very low crowd of 450 fans as they were over the moon.The next game was a big one Featherstone rovers were in town, and they are fancied to win the 2nd division as they had recruited a few Super league players to get them promoted so it was a real test for the club following the big win last week.Well it was a fantastic game only spoiled in parts by the tosser in the middle he was bent as a barn yard door and town had to beat him and they did,what an advert for Rugby league, two sides knocking the crap out of eachother and with no score in the first 30 minutes it was not going to be a big score today.Town scored first and the 780 fans went crazy, but fev being a good side hit back and going in for the first half town led 12.6,anyway at the final hooter town had beaten fev by 16.13 in a fantastic game played by TWO good sides.A brilliant result for town and their fans,some say that the shackles had been lifted since ged was away and that the players were showing just what they can do if given the freedom to play.So we are all waiting with baited breath for the Clubs decision on Ged and in the meanwhile Ged has called in the top lawyer to shout his case if needed,i will keep you informed of the Clubs descision when it is announced. Ps.Ged is very confident he will still be the coach at Town, and he says he cannot wait to get back in charge and get on with the job he was given.Good words from the big man.Enjoy your rugby being played by the best in the world in New Zealand.

Jeez Trouty,

That's not good news for Stokesy mate. Sounds like he should not have reacted though
and I can possibly imagine a few bevvies might have been had prior to the incident.

In all honesty, it might be time for him to move on as the knives have been out for
him for a while. Not sure that there is too much for him back here at the moment
but NSW may hold something for him.

Sometimes it takes something like that to pull the team together, and it sounds like
they are starting to go well with their new found freedom.

Thanks for the update and please keep us in touch with the developments.

Cheers
Skinner

 

[AliN]

yes interesting reading.

 

[Dirty Hoe]

i personally dislike ged...

 

[troutmaster]

good morning everyone,the news on ged stokes was that he was cleared by the rfl with no charges to be set and he was in the clear.on monday the 23rd ged has to attend a hearing and disciplinary meeting this time set by the club itself,the overall feeling is that ged stokes will be sacked for gross misconduct.the club will be in no doubt what the majority of town fans want,and that is ged to be sacked on monday.it highlights the results of the team as whilst ged has been away they came up with two cracking good wins and plenty of smiles on a good portion of the side, so that tells it's own story.if the outcome is as people want then it will be a hard choice for the stokes family, as the son is studying is gcse's and has a scholorship at durham county cricket club.i will keep you informed on the descision by the club as soon has it happens,but myself feel he will be gone and as my friend skinner say,s it's time for a change and i think he is correct. a new fac will certainly liven the place up,and the latest news on the grapevine is that the ex leigh coach and new zealander tony benson is in the frame for the job,any crack on him wuold be welcome.best wishes skinner to you and all in nz.

 

[Skinner]

Cheers Trouty.

Certainly sounds like he's a goner. Sad in a way, but he was master of his own destiny.
Sad for the family.

Tony Benson was groomed up through the system and was mentored by Brian McClennan,
the current Kiwi coach. Unfortunately, he hasn't really performed that well since he's been
flying solo, as it were.

I was a bit shocked to learn that he had been sacked by the Centurians and I wonder what
he has been doing since. I know his brother fairly well but I don't really know him.

He may go very well.....for your team's sake, I hope so.

Cheers Mate

Keep in touch.

 

[troutmaster]

I think he is working as a bricklayer in Leigh but is desperate to get back into the coaching scene.The latest news on Stokesy is the disciplinary meeting went on late into the night but yet no psoitive result,it looks like the Board had to put it to Ged then give him a copy of their descision within 24 hours so he has the chance to appeal their verdict.My personal view is that the Club have the right to sack him with no recompense whatsoever,but,i think the Board would have made him an offer of a lump sum and for him to resign,or if that is not accepted they will have no alternative but to give him the boot and leave with nothing.There is a real feeling on the website and in the Town from supporters of the same opinion as your goodself Skinner,they just want him out and a new man in to take the club forwards.Again i point out that the lads in the last three games have been tremendous,we got a ride out at Castleford by 50.24 but they are a full time unit with a bag full of Super league players.Town held them until around the 50 minute mark and then the fitness of Cas came into the game,three quick tries and we were gone,but we had the last laugh with a long distance try that gave Town, the only club this year, and last year to have scored more points against the classy tigers, and we are a second division outfit but a bloody good one now. So it stands to reason that the boys are happy again, and playing really good rugby and they are seemingly enjoying life without Stoke'sy.I have to say i do feel for the family as it's not their fault that Geds in this position,it's his own fault and he really should have thought about them before he went into mad mode.Thanks for the reply Skinner,i will keep you informed of any news when it arrives.ps.To our friend Dirty Hoe,you are not the only one to dislike him,you will have to join the queue behind the other 2,000.Take care,best wishes from Cumbria to our friends in New Zealand.....

 

[troutmaster]

Ged stokes was sacked by Workington town rugby league club last night after a disciplinary meeting at the ground,the meeting went on until early in morning.What is a dissapointment to me and other Town fans was the way that the club informed Ged of his sacking,apparently someone put a letter through his door without a word being said,now that in my book is not the best way to thank a man for three and a half years of service to the club.He might have had is enemies but he always stood up to be counted and probably thats was his biggest fault,ged thought he was bullet proof but in the end he was a victim of his own doing so unfortunately he has paid the price.He has 5 days to lodge an appeal and he is adamant that he has done nothing wrong and in his words he says,(the truth will come out and the fans who berated me will see i have done nothing wrong), and some fans are now actually calling his sacking a witch hunt.But whatever the outcome it is a sad demise for the Stokes family and i think it is now time for people to give them all a little breathing space and let them get on living their lives in a peaceful way without all the abuse and constant drivel that some posters have come out with against Ged.one of the fears coming from the club is that Ged decides he his going to take theClub to a Tribunal for what he see's has his unfair dismissal,it could cost the Town club a lot of money if he wins.So it looks like it could be running for a while so i will keep you informed of the outcome as it happens.best wishes from cumbria.

 

[Skinner]

Thanks for that mate. He is a very stubborn man and will not go easily. If he goes the
unfair dismissal route, then it will cost the club a lot of money, particularly considering
the method of his dismissal.....dumb, dumb, dumb.

Cheers Trouty,

Keep us in touch.

Skinner

 

[troutmaster]

Ged stokes the ex Workington town coach has gone for an unfair dismissal appeal after his sacking by the club,he had five days to appeal the discision but he only took two to decide on his course of action.In a statement to the press ged had said"i have no problem and bare no anomosity towards the club and supporters, but i have had no choice but to contest it",it looks like it could roll on for a while just yet.Many town fans are now bracing themselves with the fear the club could fold if ged wins his appeal,we have been in the situation involving Voluntary insolvency before and they do not want the club to go down that road again.My gut feeling will be that the club will come up with some compensation package before the hearing is opened,and many fans although hating ged stokes, still feel he should have been offered a package and his resignation required, but hey we are not lawyers and ged being a stubborn man he probably would not have taken it.It looks like a battle will commence and may the best man win,for my own sake it has to be the club,but in my heart it has to be ged and his family.I will keep you informed of what is happening and best wishes fom a warm and sunny cumbria to all our friends in Nz.