Angelic Cynic

I don't think it will happen,and ignoring team work index,the other code may be worth looking at as IMG seem to admire catchment areas, and the difference to both Ireland and Wales in the other code. Wales had 18 town clubs - now they have 4 region clubs.They are experiencing problems. Ireland,without any top level soccer clubs,made a success of their already established,rich in history,clubs. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2023/feb/26/wales-in-crisis-regions-the-bane-of-a-rugby-nation-facing-the-abyss

Big broadcast deal - and money NOT going to the clubs! Interesting times ahead....possibly.

I saw this quote,today,from a former owner of a soccer club. On the subject of overseas ownership, no investor is spared his censure, including the type of American wealth fund which bought his beloved Chelsea. ‘The Arabs. Qataris, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Bahrain... clubs are either a rich man’s plaything or what’s even worse, we’ve [tried to] follow the American style where they’ve got five or six national games, each with 10, 12 clubs, no relegation, and they’re all owned by wealth management companies,’ he says. ‘It’s just an investment to them. You don’t win things any more, you buy them and I think it’s disgraceful. It’s not the game.’ I hadn't realised there was no promotion or relegation in any sport in the USA. I found this link - https://urbanpitch.com/why-promotion-and-relegation-will-never-happen-in-the-u-s/#:~:text=Professional Sports in the U.S. are Closed Systems&text=And yet%2C none of them have promotion and relegation. And this one,from last month - https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/explained-why-us-soccer-doesnt-have-relegation-and-promotion---and-will-mls-ever-change/7a2v9a1dga8v116cbjr5lspl1 Seems the closed shop is the way the sport has/will become from 2025.

There was weird me thinking why a League 1 side,in a town,close to other rugby league clubs,unlikely to gain promotion this year with onfield results,when I saw this - https://www.oldhamathletic.co.uk/news/2018/september/26092018-led-advertising/ Yep.IMG approved. Just wait till Keighley Cougars play at Turf Moor.Premier League soccer club.Huge catchment.That'll show 'em! Good luck Oldham.Brilliant by the previous owner,Mr Hamilton.He certainly had his critics but he has kept the club going and appears to have handed over to people capable of a much better future. Bravo,sir!

Some clubs were successful during Licensing when promotion was not allowed. Other clubs had dreadful owners. Anyway,rally round the saviours of the game. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/mar/22/rugby-league-could-go-part-time-again-warns-wakefield-trinity-chief-executive Rely on pesky foreigners to save old Blighty.

Phil Caplan plays Devil's Advocate https://forty20rl.podbean.com/ The Keighley Cougars owners reply. ( starts approx 28 mins )

The Keighley owners were addressing a single point. For example - if in soccer,where 2 clubs from the same city are now long established clubs,with a history of success,they can draw on that history.If they were to start soccer,naming it as a regional club,ie West Midlands,it would fail to have a 'local' identity the 'locals' could identify with and may fail to capture a local audience. They articulated that it would be better for the clubs in London to identify a local area to garner support.No soccer club,in London,is named London. The 'organic growth' was a reference to Cornwall and Midlands Hurricanes- despite the sterling work undertaken at Coventry. There is a shortage of community clubs thriving in Cornwall. The Keighley Cougars owners are as keen as the rest of us with regards to expansion. Business people identified and permitted to make decisions about the sport should address the issue. It seems London may be under the microscope - with the name remaining. Well,I suppose the other code has London Irish...

Keighley Cougars have made their comments based on sports-centric observations. They have experience of not being allowed access to the inaugural season of Super League in the 1990's. It was the 'incompetents' at the RFL who initiated the broadcast deal with Sky,on which Super League has been dependent for all the past years. As I type this it is IMG who are bungling along with no plans which doesn't benefit anyone form top to bottom as the whole sport requires a very serious root and branch review. What is the long term plan that you mention? What are the benefits to the sport, as it seems any money goes to IMG? How do young players benefit? Will coaching improve? Should I expect the national side to win a World Cup in the future?

The 2019 performance levels were good - as they started the season with a 12 points deduction. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/46994143

It is quite strange when you consider soccer,but do NOT compare and contrast the round ball game with rugby league,and find the cities have 2 clubs which occupy the followers of the sport. Liverpool and Everton.Manchester - United and City.Birmingham and Aston Villa. Nottingham - Forest and County etc. Equally strange is that IMG are involved with Endeavour. A company under the Endeavour umbrella is One Sixty Over Ninety. Their slogan is... Culture Over Everything. Except if it involves heartlands rugby league clubs deprived of broadcast deal monies for decades. https://www.160over90.com/

Jolly good - but they have remained stagnant in the lowest semi -professional tier since they entered the competition. As for the data which IMG putatively possess.....How come St James Park. Newcastle drew almost the same attendance for the first England v Samoa game,than the England v Samoa World Cup semi final at The Emirates.Arsenal soccer ground? Is there really such a huge interest amongst all those people in the south?

Fandom,finances,stadium and catchment do appear somewhat transitory - and could lead to,or should,alter the gradings. Today,Wigan and Huddersfield soccer clubs are on the verge of entering administration.Those clubs control the stadia where the 2 Super League clubs play. If they change stadium,or a new owner wishes to relocate to a city in Scotland or southern Ireland the dynamics are all changed. Wigan already take debt from year to year and their attendances could decrease further. Will IMG be insisting on the gradings remaining the same whatever happens immediately after they are announced? Could be a bit like Bradford Bulls announcing financial difficulties after handing a player a 5 years deal and getting a 'Licence'. The home for Salford is far from certain as well,at the moment. Does Manchester have a larger population,or with too many clubs nearby,will a further distance be required?

Has anyone suggested where the money will be coming from to improve things, for better gradings, for all those clubs who have been outside Super League for the past number of years?

Ooops.Sorry.I forgot your side lost to Salford. Okay then.Your owner could not find a buyer for the club. It seems land has been purchased and it's all systems go.New all-singing,all-dancing board members have been attracted;apparently by IMG getting involved. With IMG now involved - Do you expect club ownerships to exchange,or be in demand? Either Super League clubs or clubs outside of Super League.

IMG have hardly gone to town on the new World Club Champions - St Helens.Does it have to be the end of the season? The Challenge Cup - only won by those clubs in the elite league - is NOT played at the end of the season. The 8's were only brought in because the elite League only demanded one elite League club could be relegated. As for the end of season ' Million Pounds Game ' - unless there are sufficient points gained,prior to the fixture,it is a worthless contest. The guy who put together the 8's gets a gig in the NRL - we get IMG. Just because the governing body and elite League club owners are incompetent. Have you tried showing the latest information in the public domain to any other sports followers amongst your fellow entrepreneurs? Certainly no other sport like rugby league....

Lloyd Roby has been making good strides in his return to fitness.Not far away. Maybe some new face would be good before the next home game. Perhaps a 'middle'... We need you for the information...and the eye on the training pitch.

I think Mr Lim resided in Hong Kong and the Chinese authorities have prevented money from leaving parts of Asia,especially since the latest Covid outbreak.It has affected some soccer clubs in higher leagues. I looked at this as I never knew the council was involved.I thought John Wilkinson sold it to a director,Watson,a housing developer. I had to glean the facts from the rugby league club friendly,Star. https://www.salfordstar.com/article.asp?id=2897 However,the denouement seems to be City West,bagging 2.7 million from the Homes and Community Agency. All the wheeling and dealing,wheels within wheels,and there is money out there. https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/property/willows-salford-new-homes-weaste-12360756 All very straight forward avoidance and evasion...Lots of agencies out there.Only known to a few,seemingly.

I think props reach their peak in their late 20's.Interesting that it is a loan - and to a club that enjoys taking former Keighley players. I would have thought Jack would be fighting to regain his place.Surprised by that.

Indigogo,I reckon you're in the know.( ITK ). You somehow spotted Keenen,training. Do you reckon there is an in-house PCD ( Professional Coaching Development ) ongoing,by Rhys,and one of the coaches,on the pitch on Friday night may get promoted to assist the first team - perhaps one engaged with the ETP?

Algorithms? Is it not of benefit for the matrix? Mind,I'm not an influencer. Isn't plenty of press releases/social media required to maximise publicity for the sport,going into the new season? If it was all quiet wouldn't that raise the ire of the rugby league followers?

Nathan Roebuck,I believe. 4th para - https://www.runcornandwidnesworld.co.uk/sport/16989629.brad-walker-commits-widnes-vikings/ https://wakefieldtrinity.com/magic-weekend-defeat-for-trinity/

It was pleasing to see the 2 post - operation fellas in the photo. Brad Walker, of course,another flexible player who can play in the halves,and elsewhere.

He's on the club Facebook stage thanking the club for allowing him to do his pre-season with us/them. Good to see the faces of who are back/been training.

I think Miller & Chisholm hold the shirts.I think they'll keep them,initially. Listening to Craig Harrison on that You Tube link,and mentioning number 3 in relation to Gale was also interesting. I shall be pleased to have some news about captaincy, squad numbers,info about the new acquisitions. I may even request the stats during the 2023 season;again. Looking forward to it...

Nah.Almost the amount owed to Global Rugby.