This pre-season started very brightly.

Brett Ferres produced a match-winning performance in an England shirt. Ukuma Ta’ai’s wife produced another bouncing baby and the club welcomed two new arrivals from “down under”.

It was all very positive until news broke that Ferres was suspended and, following investigation, placed on the transfer list.

Hard on the heels of that, it was announced Craig Huby had broken a wrist and would miss the start of the Super League season, and then we heard Ferres had been sold to Leeds Rhinos for an undisclosed fee.

As a club, the Giants are indeed fortunate to have strength-in-depth in the forwards.

Looking at the situation dispassionately, we will not miss Ferres. The Giants played most of last season without him, still came third and were within one game of a Grand Final appearance. Let’s hope the club uses the money (however much it was) wisely so some good can come out of a rather sorry episode.

The Giants will miss Craig Huby, who is popular and a class player. I am sure all the fans wish him a speedy recovery.

As is always the case in these situations, one man’s misfortune is another’s opportunity. There are now openings for younger players to step forward and establish themselves. We want to see them and what they can do.

It was, therefore, disappointing when there is an opportunity for the Giants to showcase their younger talent against Halifax the game is called off. In so doing, Rugby League in West Yorkshire is plunged back into the 19th century by virtue of the way Calderdale Council decided to call the game off 24 hours ahead of kick-off.

So, overall, not a good start, but what about the future?

Rugby League is the people’s game. Thanks to SKY TV it is more popular than ever. Last year Wigan took their SL game to the Den in Milwall. This paves the way. There should be at least one Super League game a month in the capital and one in Birmingham. We all know RL is the greatest game and properly promoted outside of the North the crowds do and will come.

Huddersfield Giants fans First Utility Super League XX Playoff Semi Final Wigan Warriors v Huddersfield Giants 01/10/15 (Pic by John Rushworth)

Huddersfield Giants should be at the forefront of this outreach to other parts of the country and in so doing gather up a whole new potential audience.

People down south may not travel north to watch a game of RL but they will pay to watch say Huddersfield Giants v Warrington Wolves if it is held in a good venue closer to their homes.

Finally, what hope do we have for the future of the Giants themselves in 2016? Well the short answer is that the RL sky is the limit.

There is no reason the team can’t win at least one of the three trophies on offer this year. They have great players, coaching and back-up staff all led by great management.

All the Giants have to do this year is believe in themselves, believe that they can win all their games, get to the finals of the Challenge Cup and Grand Final and triumph. ’Appen they will do just that! Let the town and the “out of town” fans get behind the Giants and support them to some great and memorable victories!

The Fans’ Forum is on January 28 in the Fantastic Media Suite. Bring your questions for Paul Anderson, Jerry McGillvary, Ryan Hinchliffe, and Robert Hicks to answer.

On Tuesday, February 1, Chris Thorman will be our guest.

Keep up to date by visiting www.GiantsSupporters .