Have Morley gone all Salem

[backrowbandit]

It seems they have "attracted" a new player.....

"King Vuniyayawa (born 13 March 1995) is a Fijian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a prop or second-row for Featherstone Rovers in the RFL Championship and Fiji at international level. He has previously played for the New Zealand Warriors in the NRL and the Leeds Rhinos in the Super League."

Starting at 13.

[Range]

Maybe a go fund me page to follow...

[TalkIsCheap]

I could count on one Morley supporters hand how many people will actually be shocked by their decision to try buy some success - and them 6 should probably go support a club that doesn't discount homegrown talent.

I do await someone with some common sense coming on to explain the rationale behind this - as currently it seems to make a mockery of everyone in this league who is nurturing their local talent.

This behaviour will never stop so we should come to expect it, but the club should be deeply disappointed in their actions - and I hope everyone involved takes a look at themselves.


Keep your diaries free:

Saturday 28th February - El Brassico

$alem vs Morley Millionaires

[Pockroach]

El brassico 😂😂😂

[PocknRoll]

El brassico 😂😂😂

Love it 😂😂

[Jim]

I am a Morley member, have been for years and will address the issue of paying players early next week.

With regards to our latest 'signing' I do not know how it came about or what the inducements were to play. However, I wish to add a little context with regards to this season and the issues we have had a 12/13 and just 12/13, there have been others across the whole team which the coaches have dealt with admirably.

a. We registered a 12 from a higher league at the beginning of the season who through injury hasn't played and is I believe de-registered

b. We have a 13 a home-grown lad who was playing 15 who has a season ending ACL issue.

c. A home grown 13 with a season or even career ending shoulder injury.

d. A home grown 12/13 with a season or even career ending serious leg injury.

e. A local lad who got a little too big for his boots and is now playing at Moortown with our best wishes.

f. An A&E doctor who obviously cannot commit every week.

g. We have raised two younger players from the 2nd XV to play at Centre/Wing both of whom equipped themselves admirably and will no doubt be 1st XV regulars in the future.

We should be able to play a complete back line of home-grown players all 25 years old or younger but simply have not been able to.

As a 'Big Club' obviously we are there to be 'shot at', jealousy will find any target.

Nevertheless, my Club has worked incredibly hard to shake the probably deserved 'arrogant' tag and has invested at developing a mini/junior section from what was nothing to what is now producing results.

We have players that have come through the Junior Section at Morley who are playing professionally in the Premiership, for Welsh Regions, as well as abroad,  players who are playing at clubs up to 3 levels above us and that does not include those who are playing Super League and professionally at lower levels of Rugby League.

Success at whatever level and in whatever guise does  not standstill.

"The common idea that success spoils people by making them vain, egotistical and self-complacent is erroneous; on the contrary, it makes them, for the most part, humble, tolerant and kind. Failure makes people bitter and cruel."

[backrowbandit]

The A&E doctor is a class player..

[backrowbandit]

I am a Morley member, have been for years and will address the issue of paying players early next week.

With regards to our latest 'signing' I do not know how it came about or what the inducements were to play. However, I wish to add a little context with regards to this season and the issues we have had a 12/13 and just 12/13, there have been others across the whole team which the coaches have dealt with admirably.

a. We registered a 12 from a higher league at the beginning of the season who through injury hasn't played and is I believe de-registered

b. We have a 13 a home-grown lad who was playing 15 who has a season ending ACL issue.

c. A home grown 13 with a season or even career ending shoulder injury.

d. A home grown 12/13 with a season or even career ending serious leg injury.

e. A local lad who got a little too big for his boots and is now playing at Moortown with our best wishes.

f. An A&E doctor who obviously cannot commit every week.

g. We have raised two younger players from the 2nd XV to play at Centre/Wing both of whom equipped themselves admirably and will no doubt be 1st XV regulars in the future.

We should be able to play a complete back line of home-grown players all 25 years old or younger but simply have not been able to.

As a 'Big Club' obviously we are there to be 'shot at', jealousy will find any target.

Nevertheless, my Club has worked incredibly hard to shake the probably deserved 'arrogant' tag and has invested at developing a mini/junior section from what was nothing to what is now producing results.

We have players that have come through the Junior Section at Morley who are playing professionally in the Premiership, for Welsh Regions, as well as abroad,  players who are playing at clubs up to 3 levels above us and that does not include those who are playing Super League and professionally at lower levels of Rugby League.

Success at whatever level and in whatever guise does  not standstill.

"The common idea that success spoils people by making them vain, egotistical and self-complacent is erroneous; on the contrary, it makes them, for the most part, humble, tolerant and kind. Failure makes people bitter and cruel."

A very fair and detailed response.

The only point I would make is that I don't think many people consider a Morley a "big" club anymore. It's a fine club with good people.
Unfortunately the only big thing about it is a semi-derelict stand and clubhouse. Years of investing in 1st XV players rather than infrastructure is coming home to roost im afraid. It can be fixed and it sounds as though you are trying so good on you.

[Jim]

BRB I agree with your observations about the stand and indeed the showers, but not the clubhouse which looks fantastic.
I don't however agree with your suggestions with regards to their cause, or indeed your analysis of what 'Big' means or indeed implies.

The money comes and goes, it is a truism that all club's need to understand, you need to look no further than Wakefield or Halifax for example, indeed I played against the mighty Scarborough in the early 90's, when things for your own club did not look so rosy.

To constantly refer to the past is wearing and to draw an uninformed conclusion even more so. Mistakes were made no doubt about it, but they were for the most part in the last Century.
Our decisions to remunerate players for the job that they do for our Club is a smokescreen that jealousy hides behind.

With regards to the 'Big' comment, the reason 'Big' is in parentheses is to highlight the implied meaning of the word.

Are Leeds United a 'Big' club? Probably, after all they are in the Premier League. 

Were Leeds United a 'Big' club a few years ago in Division 2?

Of course they were, ask the other 23 clubs who they wanted to beat that season, whose scalp they wanted on their belt.

The parallels are clear, ask the other rugby clubs in Yorkshire. When the fixtures come out, they look for their local derby as they should, then who do they look for?

'Big' Clubs are those who have a history; no matter how long ago the 'Glory Days' were.

[backrowbandit]

Jim, thanks for the reply (an airport lounge has given me chance to respond). There's actually quite a lot you've said that reinforces the point I was making.

On the one hand, you're saying people shouldn't constantly refer to the past and that it's "wearing" to bring up Morley's previous spending decisions and the consequences that followed. But then, to justify Morley being a "big" club, you immediately rely on... Morley's past!!. You can't dismiss history when it doesn't suit, and then rely on the exact same history when it does. If the past no longer matters, then neither do the "glory days". If the glory days do matter, then so do the years where money was wasted chasing short-term success instead of building long-term stability and infrastructure. It has to work both ways.

I also honestly don't get the "jealousy" line. Jealous of what, exactly? Most clubs questioning Morley's approach aren't bitter, they just chose a different model: one focused on sustainability, facilities and community investment instead of paying players and hoping success follows. That isn't jealousy... that's just a different philosophy, and arguably a more future-proof one.

On the facilities, I do accept that the clubhouse area itself has positives. But because it's physically part of the same structure as a stand thats clearly seen better days, the whole setup ends up feeling mismatched and tired. From the outside looking in, you've got a decent clubhouse hidden behind a stand that drags the whole place down. If I were involved at Morley, I'd honestly bite the bullet....knock the entire structure down and start again. Plenty of clubs have gone down that route and come out with modern, bright clubrooms that properly overlook the pitch and a modest, practical integrated stand that matches their ambitions. Sometimes a fresh start is the most forward-thinking thing a club can do.

At the end of the day, none of this is about point-scoring. It's actually good that we can have proper rugby discussions like this without it descending into nonsense. Healthy debate about what clubs are, what they wnt to be, and how they invest for the future is exactly what forums like this are for.... and if it gets people thinking constructively about long-term sustainability, then it's a worthwhile conversation.

[backrowbandit]

P.s. - have the vision and the money will follow. It's never the other way around.

[wing three quarter]

History cannot be rewritten, and it is simply a fact that Morley were regarded as a "big club" long before leagues existed. When rugby became professional, Morley like many other established clubs sought to maintain that standing. We all got carried away. In time, this proved difficult to sustain and led to significant financial pressures. However, Morley came through that period, whereas other well-known clubs such as Roundhay, Headingley and Wakefield did not. After many years of careful work, the club has now recovered financially and sits on a stable footing. It is well run and continues to operate as a genuine community club.
Morley remains a focal point for local activity, hosting events such as a summer music festival, Bonfire Night celebrations in conjunction with the neighbouring cricket club, and the St George's Day parade, all of which are well supported. The club's location is another positive, being easily accessible and not requiring additional transport back into town, unlike some other venues.
The junior section is one of Morley's greatest strengths and continues to provide players for the first team, despite strong competition from junior rugby league , a challenge not faced equally by all clubs. This context is important and has helped move beyond the traditional "them and us" mindset between the two codes, even if some differing opinions still exist.
Comments describing the stand as "semi-derelict" perhaps overstate the situation. While there are always areas for improvement, there has been significant investment in the clubhouse, including upgraded bars and function room, a refurbished kitchen, and a substantially improved gym. The pitches are consistently well maintained and receive meaningful end-of-season investment. Improvements to facilities are ongoing and reflect the club's long-term commitment. Supporters also benefit from direct access to the stand from the clubhouse, which adds to the matchday experience. No having to walk around to the other side of the pitch to sit in the stand!
Suggestions that Morley does not develop or nurture players are not supported by the evidence. Recent team selections highlight a young squad with many players progressing through the junior system. This reflects the club's continued focus on player development and providing pathways into senior rugby.
The addition of a women's rugby team, along with plans to develop junior girls' rugby, has given further momentum to the club. This progress has also driven plans to improve changing and shower facilities, benefiting all players. The growth of the women's game has brought fresh energy to both the club and the wider community.
While the past remains an important part of Morley's identity, the modern game has evolved. Rugby is now league-based and professional, and clubs must adapt accordingly. Recruitment, whether from rugby league, overseas, or other leagues , is part of that reality. Very few clubs can rely solely on home grown players, and experienced signings can play an important role in supporting younger players' development. Ambition in itself is not a negative; as long as everything is conducted transparently and within RFU regulations, clubs are free to choose their own path.
As clubs progress through the leagues, budgets naturally increase. Sustaining a higher league position requires appropriate resources, and if that becomes unsustainable, clubs may choose to operate at a different level. These decisions ultimately rest with the club and its members.
PS: While not all clubs benefit from wealthy backers or major external investment, Morley continues to move forward with a clear vision, sound financial management, and an inclusive approach that supports both its members and the wider community. You never know a major financial backer may appear and build us some paddle courts!

[backrowbandit]

Welcome to the forum WTQ – a really informative and balanced first post.

It's genuinely helpful to have that context, and I think you make some strong points about history, recovery and the breadth of what Morley does in the community.

Just one thought to ponder, though. The money spent each season on player payments could, over the same period, fund a Padel court or similar income-generating facility. That would provide ongoing revenue for decades and strengthen the club long-term. That's really the crux of the discussion... different clubs make different choices. Some pump money into squads, others prioritise infrastructure so the club becomes stronger and more sustainable. It isn't meant as criticism but it's difficult to argue you can do both at the same level without consequences somewhere.

I completely agree with you about the strength of your location and the positives that brings. And it certainly sounds like the club has stabilised, which is good to hear.

Anyhow, it's good to have a proper debate like this, rather than just trading clichés. If we can talk honestly about priorities, ambition and sustainability, then the discussion is worthwhile. Good to have you in the conversation.....there's no right or wrong just different choices.

P.s. Morley and Pocklington were my preseason tips for top spot.

[Jim]

BRB, thank-you for your considered reply both to myself and to WTQ.

I must apologise that the subtlety of the points I was making and the language I used obscured the meaning for you. Most of which thankfully WTQ explained admirably.

I do implore you to re-read my original article and take time to understand how a Club's history and its past mistakes inform its status but that in fact the two are not synonyms.

And finally, the use of the word 'jealousy' was probably unwise as its negative connotations have clearly obscured the point I was making.
It also seems to have hit a nerve as you often appear to react by justifying your own club's position and decisions by criticizing others in this case Morley.

One is reminded to not be looking for the mote in someone else's eye whilst ignoring the beam in our own.

Have a great Christmas and New Year, hopefully we can meet when we play each other in early January.

Regards, Jim

[backrowbandit]

Happy Christmas Jim....hope you have a good one.

For the avoidance of all doubt, I didn't think for one moment that the jealousy comment would be directed at me (I assumed some of your local rivals) . Although it has brought a smile to my face!