I know the writing has been on the wall a while now but with it now mathematically confirmed, how do we think Cleck will fair in the league below?
Will they be targeting an immediate return or are they in need of a longer, steadier rebuild?
Will they keep hold of their more established players?
Lots for the club to consider.
I don't think many players in the league will be disappointed about not having to go to Cleckheaton next season, it has been the toughest away games for many sides over the years.
Looking at the 3 teams they are regularly fielding, along with some current colts getting exposure in the 1st team (including another Piper), if this has been a tough rebuild year they could be in for a steadier rebuild next season. Given the difficulty most sides face travelling to Cleck they will no doubt be up there, even if they don't bounce straight back.
Best of luck to them in Regional 2, as a club they appear to be doing things the right way, and relegation could be exactly what they need for the new group of players coming through.
I for one am sorry to see Cleck go. Like Driffield, they are long-standing rivals and we always get a warm welcome there. It'll be interesting to see Scarborough again.
I imagine Kendal and Penrith will return to their own areas, so we might have another two or three non NE sides again - Rossendale for example.
no idea how it works but if both penrith and kendal go back west maybe we can come back east assuming we get the job done. Woukld be great to renew some old acquaintances
Can any enlightened person please advise on if we can request to come back across the Pennines having served our season in Exile.???
Flaggy, your doing a good job of hiding your desperation to come back to the right side of the Pennines . ;)
I suppose a lot of different variables in play before that decisions made.
Scarborough & Northern Up
If we lost Cleck and Middlesbrough that's straight swaps.
If Pock were to beat Penrith for example that gets another North East team.
If Hull and Rossendale come down then East and West promoted teams are covered.
Then it depends on the play off, if its Scunthorpe and they lose they could come north or Midlands. Then would depend if it's a West or East team that makes the playoff final as to who needs an extra team or not.
Doesn't look straightforward to figure out just yet
Ranger
no desperation, just a lack of knowledge on how it works. Dont forget we are simple Dales folk at Ribb.
A few people have suggested that Hull will fold if they go down - is there any basis to this suggestion?
Quote from: backrowbandit on Mar 15, 2026, 07:27 AMA few people have suggested that Hull will fold if they go down - is there any basis to this suggestion?
I imagine it's an assumption based on a lot of the squad playing for the pay cheque. The lads who have been there for a lot of years are surely towards the back ends of careers.
No second XV or mini and juniors. Where are the next batch of players coming from?
It will take a massive summer scouting effort to draw players in.
The Beverley links could be seen as a last ditch effort to prevent the club from disappearing.
Back to Old Hymerian's then, eh ?
Quote from: Ribbflagman on Mar 14, 2026, 05:21 PMCan any enlightened person please advise on if we can request to come back across the Pennines having served our season in Exile.???
You'd be very welcome !