If you get chance watch his interview after joining our club earlier today. It kind of explains JK's motivation, in that he wants to combine other activites (presumably media work), with coaching which he states he doesnt want to give up, so in many ways it's a mutually beneficial deal.



We havent got a prayer of getting into SL anytime soon (we had our chance in 94/95 but the RFL didnt seem to want us), but at our level we still have ambitions. 2 and a half years ago we were agonisingly close to falling into Championship 1, aka the graveyard of professional RL. Since that we've won the NRC and finished 3rd in the league in succesive seasons. A massive progression and something thats been fantastic for our loyal, and occasionally long suffering fans, to be a part of.



Might be hard to understand, in a non patronising way, for supporters of one of the biggest clubs in the world, who expect and usually get success nearly every year, but winning the NRC last year was perhaps one of the best days ever experienced for alot of Batley fans. Especially since before that it was nearly a 100 years since our last trophy!



Hopefully, with John's credentials and ability to develop younger players, he can take us to the next level and win us the Championship. Might not get us into SL but would be an amazing achievement for a club of our size, and something our fans would never, ever forget. So there is still a challenge for JK, even if it isnt at the most elite level.



On another note, good luck in the SL play offs....always liked the Wigan club since growing up watching RL in the 80's and seeing your 'dream team'. Hope you win a second successive title.

Oh God. This means his mis-pronunciations and mis-naming of players will be on Sky all next season.



Robbie Burrowssssssss will be pleased

No need to feel bad at all mate. Even though we both love our game and our respective teams, our clubs are in different worlds and have totally different parameters. Just imagine how you felt when you won the SL crown last year, or all the Cups/Titles you've won over the years. Now imagine that feeling when you've just watched your team win a nationally recognised cup for perhaps the first and last time in your lifetime (if previous success rates are anything to go by). Near impossible to explain the feeling at the final whistle at the NRC final last year. Made all those years of watching us lose to Oldham St Annes in the Challenge Cup in front of 450, nearly going bancrupt, being denied a rightful season in the Stones Bitter Championship, and a bit more, all worth while.



So for a club of our size and stature to get a coach who has spent the best part of 15 years coaching at the top level, and taking lesser fancied clubs to the plays off and winning the CC (no dig meant at Wigan) against all odds, represents not only a sign of how we've progressed in the last couple of years, but also a bl**dy good day!



We might only be a small bunch, but we are definitely passionate. If your ever in White Rose country on a Sunday in summer drop in at the Mount for a game, im sure you'd enjoy it. Will even buy you a pint!!

You almost had me believing you meant every word then,







But I'll never believe a Yorkshireman will part wi' his money!!





P.S Good luck to you anyway

Nah it was genuine....been such a good day that I lost track of my senses!



Even started taking the coins in my pocket off their springs

Remember going to Batley a few years ago, must have been the Cup, ground looked nice and tidy on TV the other day, still got that slope.