At least one Super League club to lose licence in 2011

[Tommy The C5t]

Just a little question about the Widnes fans' baiting Salford for their lack of a new stadium. Didn't Halton Council build (with EU money) your ground for you? While your club was going bust (again) spunking money up the wall on ###### players.

I thought the Salford stadium was being built?

[HappyDave]

Unless Quins sort out their financial situation, they'll be gone - as things stand at the moment, no David Hughes, no club.

The RFL have said that London is "too important" to them to let Quins 'fail' so Quins won't lose their licence. I think Salford or Cas are the most likely going on this season.

[Ashamanic]

Well, it's nice of them to finally get round to letting people know something of what is expected, rather than have people make assumptions based on half remembered comments given in press conferences three years ago.

But does this mean they are effectively saying that once you are in, you are almost certain to stay in? That they are abandoning the whole A,B,C grade licences? do current SL clubs get out of having to meet the criteria? Of course, they can't meet 1) and most would meet 5), but if any failed on 2-4, would they also not be allowed to apply?

[Bulletproof]

Just a little question about the Widnes fans' baiting Salford for their lack of a new stadium. Didn't Halton Council build (with EU money) your ground for you? While your club was going bust (again) spunking money up the wall on ###### players.

Don't know where to start with this. We've had our stadium for much longer than recent financial issues, down more to a shady businessman than our club's long term viability or spending.

And to be fair, segovia is the one overreacting. There has been absolutely no baiting from widnes fans on this thread, certainly not me which is why his overreaction is more puzzling.

[tonyXIII]

Don't know where to start with this. We've had our stadium for much longer than recent financial issues, down more to a shady businessman than our club's long term viability or spending.

And to be fair, segovia is the one overreacting. There has been absolutely no baiting from widnes fans on this thread, certainly not me which is why his overreaction is more puzzling.

Maybe not "baiting" exactly, but you (Widnes fans in general) seem unable to resist having a dig at us whenever the opportunity arises. That's okay, though. We've got broad shoulders.

I would point out that the Salford fans on here are generally more restrained and take a more pragmatic (realistic) view of our club's position than certain other fans. As it happens, our current approach is very similar to Mr O'Connor's. We have identified our main failing and concentrated on fixing it. In our case, it's the ground (priority number 1) in Widnes' case, with all other boxes ticked, it's Junior Development. We seem to be making progress on our priority, as do you. When we have fixed priority number 1, we'll switch our main focus of attention to whatever is seen as priority number 2. We'll get there.

FWIW, I'd be delighted to see Widnes in SL. I'd be disappointed to see Salford lose their place, but I won't take my bat home and cry "unfair" if it happens.

[NEIL FOX IS GOD]

its important for a SL club to lose its spot because of the following :

1. it shows championship clubs that if they develop themselves they will be in SL.

2. it shows SL clubs if you fail to deliver your promises you will be replaced

wakey for widnes will strengthen SL.

no other club deserves to be booted more than wakey

and how do you come to that apart from the stadium Wakefield have improved year on year

Great community program good youth development beat a good Wigan youth team hand down in the league and grand final last season

Tell me have Quins moved forward under any name since 1981

Tell me is Crusaders working 2412 last week club in debt etc

Bradford playing in the hole that is Odsal and getting away with it in debt going backwards year on year

HKR in debt up to their necks awful stadium

If Wakey miss out fair enough but dont post silly statements when you know nothing about Wakefield bar what you have read at the other side of the world

Edited August 5, 2010 by John Drake
abusive language removed

[dallymessenger]

and how do you come to that apart from the stadium Wakefield have improved year on year

Great community program good youth development beat a good Wigan youth team hand down in the league and grand final last season

failure to deliver thornes park ground as promised

past failure to upgrade belle vue as promised

lowest crowds out of you and cas, most likely relegation candidates

wakey have wasted around 10 million pounds of the RFLs money from sky.

enjoy the championship

[Bomb Jack]

Just a little question about the Widnes fans' baiting Salford for their lack of a new stadium. Didn't Halton Council build (with EU money) your ground for you?

I don't have exact figures, but we sold the land / Ground to the Council for a vastly knocked down price, so they could build a Community Stadium.

So that's Widnes' fault is it ?

[The Parksider]

Apart from the stadium Wakefield have improved year on year

Great community program good youth development beat a bloody good Wigan youth team hand down in the league and grand final last season

Don't think the expansion clubs efforts should be denigrated to make your point, but the fact is that Wakefield's stadium is awful and holds them back BUT......

Without the luxury of a rich businessmans hundreds of thousands if not millions, and with the council not being fully supportive of a new ground at various times and for various reasons, It's clearly not Wakefield's "fault" that they haven't had a Davey or a Lenegan walk in, or a coucil cheerily helping a "community stadium" along.

There but for the grace of god/fate would have gone others. Wakefield have made as much effort as they can in the circumstances. Selling BV and pushing for Newmarket may have a few laughing at the club, but they have certainly done all they can, like Salford, and shame on the "Baiters" who think they are true RL fans.....

And given the club is a city club that retains a strong RL culture, the RFL will shoot themselves in the foot if they demote Wakefield. I don't know if Newmarket is doable. If it is, it's something SL badly needs, never mind Wakefield itself. If it isn't and Wakefield go into demise then we have the RFL's rule on grounds to thank for that. Sometimes rules work, sometimes they may backfire big time.

How many self sufficient big clubs do we have? Clubs who can support themselves without a sugar daddy and without away fans? Leeds, Wigan, Hull, Wire at a pinch......

If SL is to go forward it needs to try to resurrect the pro game in places that have the populations to support it.....

[The Parksider]

I don't have exact figures, but we sold the land / Ground to the Council for a vastly knocked down price, so they could build a Community Stadium.

So that's Widnes' fault is it ?

No It's clearly not Jack. I think Nadera will accept that.

Sadly a couple of idiots want to bait Salford and Wakefield which is a disgrace given that both those clubs are trying their damndest to get up to scratch.

We can all be victims of circumstance, Enjoy your good fortune in O'Connor and Halton Council Jack.

[Bomb Jack]

Enjoy your good fortune in O'Connor and Halton Council Jack.

Oh we will Parky, especially having got rid of that crook of a Chairman, and the disaster of late 2007.

Mr O'Connor is the Messiah in Widnes

[Chronicler of Chiswick]

The RFL have said that London is "too important" to them to let Quins 'fail' so Quins won't lose their licence.

In that case the RFL should take the club over and run it themselves - at the moment describing us as a shambles would be over optimistic!

[Maximus Decimus]

Just a little question about the Widnes fans' baiting Salford for their lack of a new stadium. Didn't Halton Council build (with EU money) your ground for you? While your club was going bust (again) spunking money up the wall on ###### players.

Nonsense. We made a profit in Super League. We went bust trying to get back into Super League after we'd been relegated, we took a gamble that being in Super League would be more beneficial to gaining a Super League license than not being in Super League. This was of course true.

The top point is irrelevant. I like Salford and I hope they get their new stadium, I really do. They are the last RL bastion of that area and it would be terrible for the game if they were lost to the Championship forever. However...

When it comes to licensing they are the weakest heartland club by some distance. They were awarded a license last time based purely on this new stadium and it won't have been delivered until the next round of licensing. I'm no expert on the process but I have heard enough guarantees that have fallen through that I think any club should need the stadium in place before they can use it in their applications.

Salford look set to get a license (again) purely on the potential of a new stadium and I think this is wrong. Castleford have better crowds than any of those clubs being touted to go down or come up and have done for some time. Wakefield used to be an atrocious club, yet they sorted out their playing side of things, their youth and managed to double their crowds at the worst stadium in Super League.

In comparison to this Salford have done nothing. Their crowds are still as poor as they were 10 years ago, their team has done nothing in the last 2 years, I never hear anything from their youth but as somebody involved in youth RL in the area, they have few if any amateur clubs at that level.

It will of course be very hard (though not impossible) for the RFL to leave Salford out if they do have the stadium half built. However if they don't then they should spend some time in the Championship. If the stadium is so certain to be built they can build it there and then reapply when they have it. Without a new stadium for any of the 3 clubs being touted, Salford are by far the worst candidate.

[Maximus Decimus]

On a separate point, if Halifax get a crowd of 4,705 for their final game against Batley then they will have made the 2,500 average. Surely something worth marketing for?

Barrow need 8,755.

[West Country Eagle]

According to the talk amongst club Chairmen in SL and the CC, Salford are "nailed on" to be cut.

Dunno how true that is, just what I've heard.

[Bomb Jack]

According to the talk amongst club Chairmen in SL and the CC, Salford are "nailed on" to be cut.

Dunno how true that is, just what I've heard.

If that's true i feel sorry for the fans, but not the Club.

[a.n Other]

On a separate point, if Halifax get a crowd of 4,705 for their final game against Batley then they will have made the 2,500 average. Surely something worth marketing for?

Barrow need 8,755.

Thats if we meet the

Edited August 5, 2010 by a.n Other

[dallymessenger]

According to the talk amongst club Chairmen in SL and the CC, Salford are "nailed on" to be cut.

Dunno how true that is, just what I've heard.

if the stadium is in the process of being built theyll be fine

the RFL wont ignore an important city like manchester whilst a new ground is in the offing

[shrek]

According to the talk amongst club Chairmen in SL and the CC, Salford are "nailed on" to be cut.

Dunno how true that is, just what I've heard.

Not sure how much milage there is in that given they finally (from what I've read!) seem to be making progress with the ground.

I suspect there is a lot of water to go under the bridge before the club to lose a license is decided upon, if indeed there is a choice and we don't end up promoting a club as a result of unforeseen circumstances.

Unless a club goes bust, I expect to see a fair few fireworks from which ever club is cut.

[ParisSurtout]

Let me sum up the discussion so far.

One or more out of Wakefield, Castleford, Salford and Hull KR ill be cut for 2012.

[ShotgunGold]

Wait do Wakefield and Castleford share a council then? Why are they supportive of Castleford's plans and not Wakefield's?

[jannerboyuk]

Let me sum up the discussion so far.

One or more out of Wakefield, Castleford, Salford and Hull KR ill be cut for 2012.

Can't see hull kr being under threat unless they implode. The assumption that the cru are safe no matter what, well i don't share that confidence. Paul Retout leaving the club smells funny to me.

[jannerboyuk]

Can't see hull kr being under threat unless they implode. The assumption that the cru are safe no matter what, well i don't share that confidence. Paul Retout leaving the club smells funny to me.

the warm welcome from the wrexham fc hardcore has evaporated. Not happy with some of the rumours flying around either: http://www.redpassion.co.uk/forums/crusaders-rugby/

[Gary Coyle]

Mr O'Connor is the Messiah in Widnes

Not against Batley he wasn't

[Bomb Jack]

Not against Batley he wasn't

That's funny, i didn't see Steve O'Connor with his Boots on playing at Blackpool..........