Backed by a consortium of 'unidentified investors' current Director Tony Ansell, has put in a £1-a-share offer to the council and other major shareholders. However, Copeland Council - the clubÕs biggest single shareholder, having put in £30,000 to help save Haven from extinction 13 years ago - are wary of the intentions behind the cloak and dagger offer.

With Ansell exclusively fronting the mystery bid and his backers keen to remain in the shadows, Council leader Elaine Woodburn said: ÒMr Ansell needs to show us that his proposed takeover is in the clubÕs best interests. Our question to Mr Ansell is this: show us the evidence that what you propose will work, that the money is actually there, and then we will seriously consider selling our shares. You just canÕt expect us to hand over our shares on the strength of a letter."

ÒOur main aim is to ensure we help preserve the future of the club and to do everything we can to help Whitehaven get into Super League."

With that in mind, Steve McCormack must rally his troops. Shipping 40 points for a second time in three weeks at Castleford can't be good for confidence and certainly doesn't look like providing a serious challenge to Cas for the journey to the promised land.

To bolster their push, 'haven have taken Huddersfield forward Iain Morrison on a month's loan. Said to be 'good defensively and dynamic going forward' Morrison goes in against Hornets on Sunday.

Elsewhere in the side, expect it to be much the same as it was when we trooped up there a month ago - with Leroy Joe chucked in for good measure.

Hornets couldn't really face a sterner test as Bobbie Goulding's side seek to erase the mind-bogglingly bad Dull KR performance and get our season back on track.

A Whitehaven side rock solid at home; a partisan local crowd ; a 6pm kick-off and a midnight return - all the ingredients for a tough test of faith: for all of us.

It's fair to say that this Sunday's game provides the ultimate test of belief. For the players, belief in the ability that seems to have evaporated since the early rounds of the National Cup; faith in their self belief that good players don't become bad ones overnight; belief in the fact that they can compete with any side in this division.

For the fans, belief that our support can make a difference; belief in our players' ability to shake off their torpor and reveal their true selves; belief in our club - even in challenging circumstances.

No-one ever said that supporting Rochdale Hornets was easy. There was no guarantee of success when we signed up, no promise of easy wins and effortless glory. We knew what we were getting into - and it involved days like Sunday.

This Sunday is a hard trip to make - but it's the difficult journeys that deliver greatest rewards.

When Ernest Shackleton wanted men to join him in his expedition to the South Pole he posted an ad that read: "Men wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages. Bitter Cold. Long Months of complete darkness. Constant danger. Safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in case of success."

So: Hornets fans wanted for difficult journey. Small comfort. Tough environment. Long hours of driving. Constant frustration. Victory doubtful. Honour and recognition in case of success."

And, in case of success - those who made this trip will know they've deserved it.