HUDDERSFIELD Giants are backing the bid to reduce the salary cap and produce a more even Super League.

And forward-thinking McAlpine chief executive Ralph Rimmer is looking to his radical reforms to be the blueprint for the future.

Top-flight clubs yesterday agreed that the RFL's executive should draw up proposals for a new and reduced salary cap from 2005 onwards.

The current system allows clubs to spend up to 50% of their income to a maximum of £1.8m per season on players' wages.

That system obviously benefits the richer and more successful clubs who have dominated the competition for almost a decade.

But Rimmer is hoping the stranglehold can be broken, with his proposals playing the central role.

"I've made my plans known to other Super League clubs and I received a sympathetic hearing," said Rimmer.

"My proposals are for clubs who devote more attention to developing their own players rather than bringing in `outsiders' to benefit more under the salary cap system.

"Players who come up through the junior ranks at a club should be excluded from the cap.

"I know some regard this as radical, and it is something for clubs to consider in more detail when we meet up again in early 2004.

"But at yesterday's annual Super League meeting there was a general feeling that changes had to be made."

Under the current salary cap system it seems unlikely the big-four monopoly of Bradford, Leeds, Wigan and St Helens will be broken.

While they can spend the full £1.8m on salaries, most of the other clubs - including the Giants - are operating at around the £1m mark.

Meanwhile, the Giants' McAlpine office will be open on Saturday morning for fans to buy their season-tickets.

This is the last weekend supporters can snap up their tickets at the discounted loyalty rate and book a reserved seat for the season.

The offer ends on Friday, December 19.

Also on sale will be the video of last season's Giants' Super League VIII highlights, priced at £13.95.

And the club are continuing to receive assurances from their kit supplier that the new replica shirt will be on sale before Christmas.