First Weekend

[Christopher Kreuzer]

They were previously there without ticks in any of the boxes.

Thanks.

[Jonathan Rogers]

Having browsed the 4NCL website, I see that Oxford 1 have been reinstated in Division 1, prssumably due to the withdrawal of P&P. It's an ill wind ...

If Oxford are now in division one, that confirms it, I think. Since they always beat Barbican 2 by 4.5-3.5 when playing in the first division, I do not wholly approve

I heard a while back that P & P's players were looking for other teams, but didn't know they would withdraw altogether. Even without any money, they could have had one last hurrah in division one and then dropped out if relegated.

As to whether their players will all find other teams - I really don't know. One might imagine White Rose paying for Gawain, and Cheddleton might have room for a relatively low cost GM or two. Jutes of Kent paying for Chris Ward would make some sort of sense. But we are just talking about isolated transfers here - unless Guildford are back in the dough, and I've no reason to think that they are, then who has the money to spend on a sizeable number of these redundant P & P GMs?

[Richard Bates]

I see Betsson.com are now called Blackthorne Russia. Anyone know which Blackthorne this company is?

Oh, presumably this:

http://www.blackthornetransport.co.uk/

"Blackthorne International Transport specialises in delivering all types of cargo to Russia - by air, by sea and by road."

Wonder if they will be returning Russian GMs in empty cargo containers?

The most crucial thing they are giving us is a team name. Devilishly difficult thinking up one otherwise...

[Matthew Turner]

Jonathan Rogers wrote
"But we are just talking about isolated transfers here - unless Guildford are back in the dough, and I've no reason to think that they are, then who has the money to spend on a sizeable number of these redundant P & P GMs?"

Guildford have subtlely changed their name to drop the ADC. This implies that sponsorship might have disappeared (or at very least reduced). It seems very unlikely that they are going to be paying for more players.

[Claire Summerscale]

Hi all
Much as I would have loved to continue with the team, I can no longer afford to sponsor P&P. A last hurrah would have been nice, but with no money, I have no players

Good luck to all.
Claire

[Alan Walton]

Claire, it is sad to see that P&P pulled out, but wasn't there a possibility of putting a junior/young players team together for one season without having to pay players, it would have give them the opportunity for some first division chess

[Mick Norris]

One might imagine White Rose paying for Gawain

Gawain's blog says he has recently rejoined White Rose