Applications to League 1 Open

[JonM]

On 13/06/2024 at 07:03, Eddie said:

Catalan haven’t been voted out by the other SL clubs. 

Crusaders weren't either. They were given a 3 year franchise in SL having lost the national League final to Salford, and allowed to have 13 overseas players rather than 3 IIRC.

They played one season in Bridgend (and a couple of other places, eg Newport). The UK border agency investigation found that six players were working illegally and had to leave the country. Leighton Samuels decided to stop funding the club, and they were sold to new owners in Wrexham.

They went into administration the following year and got a points deduction for that and were wound up completely the following year and decided not to apply for a further SL franchise.

[dealwithit]

7 hours ago, Billy King's Boots said:

They started off with around the thousand mark.
Was there last week - and probably around the 5/600 mark

 

Probably demonstrates that to maintain the initial buzz or a decent portion you need a winning side. 

[Eddie]

8 hours ago, dealwithit said:

Probably demonstrates that to maintain the initial buzz or a decent portion you need a winning side. 

Many teams have demonstrated that over the years, pretty much every expansion club put into the semi pro game actually, except Sheffield and maybe Coventry. However I’d say 5-600 is still very good, even if it’s less than it was. 

[Bedford Roughyed]

 

[Eddie]

I’d be interested to know who the eight that expressed an interest but dropped out are. 

[gingerjon]

1 minute ago, Eddie said:

I’d be interested to know who the eight that expressed an interest but dropped out are. 

Do you know what home ground the Vipers are proposing? Is this a bid you've been involved with?

[GeordieSaint]

5 minutes ago, gingerjon said:

Do you know what home ground the Vipers are proposing? Is this a bid you've been involved with?

Kings Lynn FC has a cracking little ground that would be ideal. May stay in Wyondham…?

[Eddie]

Just now, GeordieSaint said:

Kings Lynn FC has a cracking little ground that would be ideal. May stay in Wyondham…?

Kings Lynn is an hour away. 

[Eddie]

11 minutes ago, gingerjon said:

Do you know what home ground the Vipers are proposing? Is this a bid you've been involved with?

Barnards Fields, home of Wymondham Rugby Club. 

[GeordieSaint]

Just now, Eddie said:

Kings Lynn is an hour away. 

And the rest… that A47 is horrendous at the best of times!

Comment was more a general one rather reality. KL FC is a cracking little ground. 

[Eddie]

1 minute ago, GeordieSaint said:

And the rest… that A47 is horrendous at the best of times!

Comment was more a general one rather reality. KL FC is a cracking little ground. 

Yes agreed it is, if only the Kings Lynn Black Knights were still going. 

[JonM]

So, Wymondham, population 16K. Goole population 21K. Bedford approaching 200K, with a big surrounding area and growing fast?

At least all of these are places where there isn't a well supported local football team, although Wyndem is firmly Norwich City territory.

[Eddie]

12 minutes ago, JonM said:

So, Wymondham, population 16K. Goole population 21K. Bedford approaching 200K, with a big surrounding area and growing fast?

At least all of these are places where there isn't a well supported local football team, although Wyndem is firmly Norwich City territory.

While a completely distinct town from Norwich, Wymondham is absolutely Norwich City territory, it’s only 10 miles away, 12 minutes by car or 14 on the train. 

[Mumby Magic]

Is it for one place or could possible all 3 be accepted.

[groundhopper]

I do have the benefit of having visited all three and two twice.

Positives for each

Goole,

An acceptable ground and whilst run down the opportunity exists to refurbish as part of a bid. 

I went to the first game in Yorkshire Men’s there was a reasonable crown maybe 400. If they could maintain this they would be on a par with others in the league and the crowd has not a successful team in any sport, possibly ever although the RU did go to Twickenham. 
 

The population is familiar with RL and the one that make them favourites a large pool of players in Hull and Cas. If we want a team to more than make up the numbers and if hopefully not aiming for the stars, could be a good addition.

 

Bedford. I am surprised the population is now 200,000 and it is a single entity unlike say Midlands who have a much larger potential but struggle to get publicity.

The football team lost a high quality ground near the river probably 30 years ago and have never been the same since playing in a location that is almost inaccessible without a car. 
 

There is now a second football team bankrolled by crypto millionaires, so what could go wrong. They aim to be the biggest team in town but what little I know of the plans suggest they are throw money at the team.  Could well be little more than pot hunters.

The main team in Bedford is the Union side. They do everything well. They were in the top division briefly and nearly went bust or moved to MK or both.

Sane heads turned the club around and they have realised the Championship is the limit of their ambitions and just aim to enjoy the sport, as well run as any. 
 

I would not consider Bedford a rugby town in the way that Coventry or Leicester are in terms of the playing pool, number of clubs etc

There is an athletics stadium I thick with seats but sharing one of the grounds above would likely be the plan. 
 

Anglian Vipers. I met Eddie when visited and a committee of people like him would have endless enthusiasm. I am afraid that is about it.

 

 

Negatives

Goole

The town might be a bit small and going from charging £3 to maybe £15 might not help attendances. There is a feeling we are looking for expansion. That should not be a negative. Expansion into areas near the heartlands and where youth development and finding opposition exists is not only expansive but can leave a legacy.

Barely a negative. Obviously don’t know the people behind this or other bids.

Sponsorship may be hard.

 

 

 

Bedford. 
There is no RL history in the town and they would always be the third sport. 
Player pool would be small. As a new team they do not have the local growth that Hemel developed. At best a few years of struggle and eventually bringing in Northern players.

 

Anglian Vipers

Apologies, but I have to be negative. Any support has to be grown form zero and whilst population may be similar to Goole a decent RL team there may get 5% of the population.

no one watches RU in Norfolk and at best teams reach the top 100 in the UK briefly. There is little success on the field and few potential players to convert. The area is not like Cornwall where a large pool of ex RL players was found and even if it was Cornwall have not broken through on the field

The ground is private but open and out of town. Considerable expense would be needed and looking at Norwich make sense if they were to bid but sorry, it will not succeed.

 

PS please all three give it a try 12 is the right number for League 1 and prove me wrong.

[Archie Gordon]

Hmmm. Not great. None of these look to have potential to me and I'm still not clear what L1's purpose is. 

Unless any of these have £millions behind them, they'll fail - hopefully not taking down the community club with them.

More broadly, joining the UK's pro RL ranks is obviously an unattractive proposition right now. Not a surprise.

[The Future is League]

4 hours ago, Bedford Roughyed said:

 

I wish all 3 the very best.

[JM2010]

What a shame they didn’t let Manchester Rangers in. All the positives of Goole as far as being close to ready made players but with a much bigger population and one of the major UK cities

[The Future is League]

8 minutes ago, JM2010 said:

What a shame they didn’t let Manchester Rangers in. All the positives of Goole as far as being close to ready made players but with a much bigger population and one of the major UK cities

Blame Rimmer for that one, and what a golden opportunity missed in my opinion.

If any clubs meets the criteria (What ever that is for League 1) they should be welcomed with open arms

[Coggo]

I predict none to be accepted. 

[The Future is League]

1 minute ago, Coggo said:

I predict none to be accepted. 

Lets wait and see.

[Anita Bath]

9 minutes ago, Coggo said:

I predict none to be accepted. 

One will be accepted….all the plans for reorganisation of leagues and challenge cup are based on adding a team.

[Impartial Observer]

47 minutes ago, The Future is League said:

Blame Rimmer for that one, and what a golden opportunity missed in my opinion.

If any clubs meets the criteria (What ever that is for League 1) they should be welcomed with open arms

Why was it a golden opportunity? Didn't they fold as soon as they got turned down. Seemed to be no substance to them?

 

[up the robins]

Let all three in  more the merrier and let's all get behind them maybe encourage super league teams to take a young squad pre season to these places, I'm sure fans would relish the chance to visit a new ground.

[OriginalMrC]

Goole would have ready made players locally at least. Am afraid the other two teams will be whipping boys unless they have enough money to ship players in from the north.