50 replies to this topic

[Fax1978]

Just wondered if anyone had heard anything about the announcements of new Championship 1 clubs for the 2013 season?

Northampton were announced back in Nov and I thought we were going to get another 3, one a month, but we are nearly in Feb and Ive not heard a peep.

[thirteenthman]

I'm sure I read an interview with Ralph Rimmer where he said something like it would be good if they could announce 1 new team a month, but didn't actually confirm that that was going to happen.

[Wellsy4HullFC]

Maybe they've all put in really good bids and are looking at ways to fit them all in?

Wow, that's way too positive a thought for a rugby league fan.

What I meant to say was, they're all gonna fold. The RFL have realised that they should just stick to one league of Yorkshire and North West clubs and everyone else can love off.

[tim2]

Maybe they've all put in really good bids and are looking at ways to fit them all in?

Wow, that's way too positive a thought for a rugby league fan.

What I meant to say was, they're all gonna fold. The RFL have realised that they should just stick to one league of Yorkshire and North West clubs and everyone else can love off.

Somewhere inbetween, I hope!

[bowes]

Maybe they've all put in really good bids and are looking at ways to fit them all in

That's not the case believe me. The 2nd best bid is Coventry but the Bristol bid is divided over whether to play in Bristol or Gloucester, Hemel fail ground criteria and who knows with Oxford.

I guess the RFL are deciding whether to bring in 4 new clubs (in which case they need to lend Hemel temporary seating and find a 4th suitable bid from somewhere) or just 2 and whether bringing in both new clubs as midlands clubs is what they want. Though incidentally if Hemel and Coventry don't get into Championship 1 they will probably have to play in tier 4 local leagues.

Edited by bowes, 31 January 2012 - 10:38 AM.

[Wellsy4HullFC]

That's not the case believe me. The 2nd best bid is Coventry but the Bristol bid is divided over whether to play in Bristol or Gloucester, Hemel fail ground criteria and who knows with Oxford.

I guess the RFL are deciding whether to bring in 4 new clubs (in which case they need to lend Hemel temporary seating and find a 4th suitable bid from somewhere) or just 2 and whether bringing in both new clubs as midlands clubs is what they want. Though incidentally if Hemel and Coventry don't get into Championship 1 they will probably have to play in tier 4 local leagues.

I never did actually believe what I said, I just said it for the sake of spreading positivity!

I think Coventry shouldn't be turned down simply because they're from the Midlands. If they're good enough, they should be in IMO. If anything, it could help Northampton as they'll have an instant derby rival which would increase interest.

I don't understand how a Bristol bid can't decide if it wants to be in Bristol or Gloucester?! If it wants to be in Gloucester, then surely it ISN'T a Bristol bid?!

Hemel I knew about the issues of the ground. Makes you wonder why they put a bid in if they knew they couldn't get in due to it. What options do they have?

[bowes]

If Hemel don't get in their only option is to play in what was Premier South for a couple of seasons until they create a Conference South.

The bid was for Bristol but the backer lives in Cheltenham so wants them in Gloucester to be closer (in which case they'd hopefully be called Gloucester)

[tim2]

The 2nd best bid is Coventry

Really? How do you know?

[bowes]

Really? How do you know?

I guess the Oxford bid could be really good and they're keeping it secret.

2nd best doesn't necessarily mean good enough I may add guess it all comes down to if the RFL accept the business plan (which I haven't seen so can't comment on). Bristol is a shambles and we have a much better ground than Hemel.

Edited by bowes, 31 January 2012 - 12:04 PM.

[cardifcrusaderrob]

The Bristol/Gloucester bid has to be a shoe in. Theres enough talent and people locally to back the bid, plus the rivalry between
us in South Wales and the South West is strong and could potentially give us a RL M4 corridor much like RU as a result in time.

[Stag Fan]

Just an update on the ground situation at Hemel.

We have completed Phase 1 of the redevelopment of Pennine Way, which has included a 3g MUGA,external fencing, spectator barrier around the pitch,flood lighting of the Muga pitch and 250 lux lighting of the main pitch. Phase 2 is set for when the weather changes in the spring which will include spectator seating for the main pitch, refurbishment of the changing rooms and tarmac pathways within the ground.

[bowes]

Just an update on the ground situation at Hemel.

We have completed Phase 1 of the redevelopment of Pennine Way, which has included a 3g MUGA,external fencing, spectator barrier around the pitch,flood lighting of the Muga pitch and 250 lux lighting of the main pitch. Phase 2 is set for when the weather changes in the spring which will include spectator seating for the main pitch, refurbishment of the changing rooms and tarmac pathways within the ground.

Good. Guess they're waiting til you've done this then they'll announce you?

[mick wilson]

RL , M4 corridor would be a good foundation to build upon and spread the game, HH included.

[Fax1978]

All sounds like we should hopefully hear something soon then as the silence has been deafening. My own hopes are for Hemel, Coventry and Bristol/Glous to be accepted.

I just wish the RFL had not bullishly announced they will be unveiling 1 new club every month since Northampton in Nov as now as per they just look like they are either not in a position to admit any new clubs or are going through a very stringent fit for purpose process.

The lack of any news or updates just deflates those of us who were waiting in excited anticipation and once the season is underway the announcements and their impact may become less significant.

[buford t justice]

I heard theres a bid from Timbucktoo that would enable the RFL to expand the game yet further, so they are waiting for them to finalise things before announcing.

What a farce. How about putting some money into the ailing heartland clubs weve already got, before flogging a dead horse in non heartland areas?

Surely making the current clubs in the championship and championship 1 stronger financially and helping them grow their fan bases, and gradually working out from the heartlands would be a better idea than sticking random clubs miles away.

Call me a cynic, but expansion clubs have been created and fallen by the wayside for years even with RFL money behind them, the only exception being the eternal white elephant that is London Broncos / Harlequins /London Crusaders / Fulham, whilst the traditional clubs somehow survive by hook or by crook, maybe its time we helped them out?

Northampton and any other new club will last 2 or 3 years maximum, and at what cost to the clubs in championship 1 with them who dont make the top 4 cut off for the championship this time?

The RFL are a joke and are systematically destroying the game below super league, and they probably dont even realise they are.

Im all for expansion, but not at the expense of what weve already got - surely its common sense to ensure the clubs we already have can grow and prosper before trying to expand?

Just goes to show, if its not super league, they couldnt care less.

Edited by buford t justice, 31 January 2012 - 02:02 PM.

[bowes]

I heard theres a bid from Timbucktoo that would enable the RFL to expand the game yet further, so they are waiting for them to finalise things before announcing.

What a farce. How about putting some money into the ailing heartland clubs weve already got, before flogging a dead horse in non heartland areas?

Surely making the current clubs in the championship and championship 1 stronger financially and helping them grow their fan bases, and gradually working out from the heartlands would be a better idea than sticking random clubs miles away.

Call me a cynic, but expansion clubs have been created and fallen by the wayside for years even with RFL money behind them, the only exception being the eternal white elephant that is London Broncos / Harlequins /London Crusaders / Fulham, whilst the traditional clubs somehow survive by hook or by crook, maybe its time we helped them out?

Northampton and any other new club will last 2 or 3 years maximum, and at what cost to the clubs in championship 1 with them who dont make the top 4 cut off for the championship this time?

The RFL are a joke and are systematically destroying the game below super league, and they probably dont even realise they are.

Im all for expansion, but not at the expense of what weve already got - surely its common sense to ensure the clubs we already have can grow and prosper before trying to expand?

Just goes to show, if its not super league, they couldnt care less.

You're clearly lying when you say you're for expansion but leaving that aside where do you suggest the clubs that don't get into the 14 team Championship play as 6 teams isn't viable? The 14 team Championship will be making existing clubs stronger as you claim to want.

[GeordieSaint]

Just an update on the ground situation at Hemel.

We have completed Phase 1 of the redevelopment of Pennine Way, which has included a 3g MUGA,external fencing, spectator barrier around the pitch,flood lighting of the Muga pitch and 250 lux lighting of the main pitch. Phase 2 is set for when the weather changes in the spring which will include spectator seating for the main pitch, refurbishment of the changing rooms and tarmac pathways within the ground.

Awesome news. I presume that will meet the C1 entry requirements?

[Gav Wilson]

What a farce. How about putting some money into the ailing heartland clubs weve already got, before flogging a dead horse in non heartland areas?

So they can flog a dead horse in a heartland area...?

[Northern Sol]

I heard theres a bid from Timbucktoo that would enable the RFL to expand the game yet further, so they are waiting for them to finalise things before announcing.

What a farce. How about putting some money into the ailing heartland clubs weve already got, before flogging a dead horse in non heartland areas?

Surely making the current clubs in the championship and championship 1 stronger financially and helping them grow their fan bases, and gradually working out from the heartlands would be a better idea than sticking random clubs miles away.

Call me a cynic, but expansion clubs have been created and fallen by the wayside for years even with RFL money behind them, the only exception being the eternal white elephant that is London Broncos / Harlequins /London Crusaders / Fulham, whilst the traditional clubs somehow survive by hook or by crook, maybe its time we helped them out?

Northampton and any other new club will last 2 or 3 years maximum, and at what cost to the clubs in championship 1 with them who dont make the top 4 cut off for the championship this time?

The RFL are a joke and are systematically destroying the game below super league, and they probably dont even realise they are.

Im all for expansion, but not at the expense of what weve already got - surely its common sense to ensure the clubs we already have can grow and prosper before trying to expand?

Just goes to show, if its not super league, they couldnt care less.

The thing is that the RFL haven't accepted any bids as yet (aside from Northampton). I think the RFL are doing a fine job this time round, invite tenders from all around the UK and only go ahead with the ones that look like they have a decent chance of success. Since they haven't yet chosen to go ahead with any dodgy looking bids, I can't see why anyone would have cause for complaint. They seem to have learnt from past mistakes.

[Just Browny]

Maybe they've all put in really good bids and are looking at ways to fit them all in?

Wow, that's way too positive a thought for a rugby league fan.

What I meant to say was, they're all gonna fold. The RFL have realised that they should just stick to one league of Yorkshire and North West clubs and everyone else can love off.

Maybe they're worrying about potential kit clashes?