I've thought for a long time that we should distance ourselves from SL and form a one division set up like it used to be in days gone by. You could, possibly, create two divisions with P & R, the second of which could be new teams in other parts of the country who want to enter the league. We should get rid of the NR Cup and return to winter rugby, far too many distractions in summer, and bring back the county cups. I would also be in favour of mounting a legal challenge, pardon the pun, to bring the Challenge Cup into our ownership and prevent SL clubs from competing in the competition. You are right that the competition has been devalued. I vividly recall Oldham in the late 1950s, top of the league, best team in the land, but got beat by a lowly Bramley side at home when they were hot favourites not only to win the game but win the cup. That can never happen now the gap is too big.
I am totally against feeder clubs no matter what CH says about not losing our identity. You cannot avoid losing your identity, but on the other hand while other clubs go down this road we are always going to be second fiddle to those clubs who have access to SL hopefuls, cast offs etc or who farm out experienced players recovering from injuries for a week or two. Remember the Barry McDermott fiasco when he was playing for Batley was it? to get match fit again before going back into the Leeds team?
Not sure if that would be the death knell for SL clubs but I do agree that the game is tired and, though lots will disagree with me, boring. RU is far bigger, is nationwide and will continue to attract the big money from SKY and the BBC. I can however foresee a time when SKY will withdraw the funding and I cannot see many SL clubs surviving that. That said any of them that then want a return to our league would have to do so by entering at the very bottom. I'm not altogether certain that I would want them however, after all they haven't done us any favours have they?
Fully agree with you scrum half. Money has, is, will drive sl. Unfortunately (for them) there isn't enough of it about to satisfy their ambitions. Sooner or later they'll need a reality check - we've already had paris, Wales, Bulls and there's plenty more in the wings that are struggling just waiting to follow. We get sod all from them so what have we to lose?
I support Fev and the past 3 years have been brilliant for us, I just hope we don't take the kings shilling and sell out. Success is very transient. Over the years I've seen some bad seasons so you learn to enjoy anything good that comes along and while it lasts.
It's time some of the sl clubs took a backward step and considered the game as a whole. Breaking away from sl and going it alone may be just what they need.
