Those saying Fev should replace (CAS), think about the comp as a whole. If Fev came in, they would be a struggler in the long and short term. I can't ever see them challenging for top honours. Their catchment area is simply too small, and they lack the resources and infrastructure to challenge. Why bring in a side that won't add to the competition? IMO, the region is already served by Wakey.
Region is the word.....
That's how the RFL saw it 1996 with the region (and other regions) being served by one club.
However if you look at it from a practical rather than a theoretical point of view the Cheshire region is already served by Warrington, Hull is already served by HullFC and east pennines is already served by Bradford.
So no need for Widnes HKR or Huddersfield either.
Without doubt if you had successful SL clubs blossoming in Gateshead, South Wales, Paris, Toulouse etc, then such as these clubs may not get into Superleague never mind dear old Featherstone Rovers.
But whilst we only have nine regions in the country where RL is strong enough to operate in at Superleague level (and I include London in that) we are short of "viable" clubs even for a 10 club league.
So the number of clubs set for SL 2015-2018 may dictate chances for clubs. If it's 14 clubs which I hope it is the first picks will be those with the fans to self sustain. After that it's those with the rich men to pay for the empty seats.
The debate is already moving to wether Faisal Nahaboo will be another Ken Davey or another Tony Larvin for very good reason and this is where Rovers survival may lie, albeit one poster has already referred to unamed "other investors". i see no point in arguing a point that will only be proved or disproved come the business plan for the application.
In terms of "resources" and the number of clubs in the area, the area recently held games at all three grounds with a total attendance of over 20,000 people. Split evenly (in theory) that is enough support for two Superleague clubs as it stands. These crowds are for clubs who are failing in SL, collapsed in SL last year and are in the Championship so who is to say two successful clubs cannot attain 10,000 crowds???
In terms of quality players the ability of the Cas/Pontefract/Featherstone area is a match for Wigan and Leeds. Wakefield's record is actually poor.
So the fan and playing resources are there for two clubs to do very well in the area. What is currently lacking is the investment in the facilities and the teams to maximise the audiense and keep the best players in the region.
If two clubs can do well in Hull, Cheshire etc then two can certainly do well in Calder......
