Neil Henry quoted in the T & A today:

“He has been very good with our younger guys in particular as a development coach.



“I’m sure that’s what Bradford will be looking for as well – the ability to bring young players through and teach them the fundamentals of rugby league.



“That includes what it means to be a professional footballer and how you prepare to be at your best when you play footie.



With both youth teams going well , he will have a good base to work with. And I think that almost half the U19side that beat Wigan are qualified to play next season .

I think that's what the club wants. A Leeds style core of homegrown players that come up through the ranks together and Smith has the ability to make that a reality. I think the first major step on that road is the 3 year deal AOB signed because there you've got a young lad who's already come through the ranks and shown the young lads that the pathway is open for those with ability and the willingness to commit.

One thing I hope is that, before he makes any major decisions about changes, the new coach takes a look at what is already happening with the juniors - and I'm sure he'll not be disappointed, since that side of the club is the one thing which is truly top class.



On a more general note, I think the new coach will give a more up-beat feel to the place and hopefully will get a response from those who have been less keen to attend games recently. A boost to the finances definitely wouldn't go amiss right now.

He doesn't strike me as the type to make changes for the sake of change. I'd imagine that he's got a long term plan that has impressed the people in charge at Bradford, hence the 3 year deal and I'd imagine that a big chunk of that is based on junior development over those 3 years.



Still, the proof of the pudding and all that. Although I'm optimistic about the future under Smith I think I'll keep the majority of my powder dry until he's actually in the dugout and doing the job

Most Bradford fans will never know how close he came to joining his home town club before signing his new deal.

I doubt most fans of any club give a flying one about things that almost happened but didn't.

Why would he consider going part time when he could of quite easily moved up into super league. I think somebody is kidding you

Probably because that distance is so vast that it is impossible to be measured

Someone has been in the sun too long!

Probably about as close as me getting married Ellie Goulding then winning lottery on the Wednesday then again on the Saturday followed by the Euro millions on the Tuesday.

I'd imagine it was a little closer than that.



However, neither happened (although I hope your one does, soon), so the point is pretty moot, really.

Indeed.

Though, if he'd said he nearly signed for an SL club it would have been believable, but that he might have dropped down to part time is just too daft for words.