Applications to League 1 Open

[newbe]

The central funding is a pittance, and would ruin most clubs. Look at Crusaders n Skolars. From what I can make out if Hemel who are a very financial secure could not make, due to quality of players then its not going happen down South. Its unfair that League1 clubs have to abide the same rules as Super League.

[Sports Prophet]

32 minutes ago, Damien said:

At league 1 standard all of them.

That doesn’t make sense. 

Take away the current top 5 of L1 who I would think belong in an expanded Championship, what divisions in a NSEW third tier would be short of teams?

[LeytherRob]

If they are going to invite applications for more clubs, they should at least be properly funded. It's a joke how little league 1 clubs get.

[sam4731]

I know some people's blood might go cold when I mention the dread 'm' word but is a merger for southern clubs a viable option. Surely a merger of a few clubs pooling their resources could make a go of it.

I'm sure there are factors I'm not considering but I'm happy to be told.

[Sports Prophet]

27 minutes ago, del capo said:

The NCL Management recently discussed this subject with the RFL.

The RFL have abandoned their  previous stance of discrimination against heartland  Community clubs and invite applications on merit from all areas.. They are working on criteria. They are looking at the pyramid  ( both up and if necessary down ).

Early days. Interesting times......

To my point above, I would consider there opportunity to revise the NCL into moving into the third tier, with split East and West divisions at tier 3, 4 and 5 with a southern/midlands (and maybe northern if possible) division incorporated into the structure at tier 3 downwards also.

[Archie Gordon]

1 minute ago, sam4731 said:

I know some people's blood might go cold when I mention the dread 'm' word but is a merger for southern clubs a viable option. Surely a merger of a few clubs pooling their resources could make a go of it.

I'm sure there are factors I'm not considering but I'm happy to be told.

Merging 2 community clubs cannot create 1 semi-pro club. It would only create a large community club, and probably smaller than the sum of the 2 separate clubs.

[sam4731]

6 minutes ago, LeytherRob said:

If they are going to invite applications for more clubs, they should at least be properly funded. It's a joke how little league 1 clubs get.

I think whoever it is is going to have to be self sufficient. League 1 clubs and for that matter Championship clubs just can't rely on central funding anymore.

[sam4731]

1 minute ago, Archie Gordon said:

Merging 2 community clubs cannot create 1 semi-pro club. It would only create a large community club, and probably smaller than the sum of the 2 separate clubs.

But surely if they made the commitment to invest their combined resources into creating a professional set up it could work. I'm not talking 2 clubs by the way, I'm thinking a cooperative between multiple clubs.

[RP London]

1 minute ago, sam4731 said:

But surely if they made the commitment to invest their combined resources into creating a professional set up it could work. I'm not talking 2 clubs by the way, I'm thinking a cooperative between multiple clubs.

At that point, at community level you, just lose that many clubs' geography, youth etc. You don't create more opportunity for investment either as many businesses sponsor small clubs becuase they are small or there is a link to the decision maker that can get lost by doing this. It wouldn't/doesn't simply become the sum or more of its parts, it will become less than the sum and maybe just a little bigger, which is where 1 club could have got to by themselves with a little more help anyway.

[Gomersall]

10 minutes ago, sam4731 said:

I think whoever it is is going to have to be self sufficient. League 1 clubs and for that matter Championship clubs just can't rely on central funding anymore.

Not many SL clubs can either.

[sam4731]

Just now, RP London said:

At that point, at community level you, just lose that many clubs' geography, youth etc. You don't create more opportunity for investment either as many businesses sponsor small clubs becuase they are small or there is a link to the decision maker that can get lost by doing this. It wouldn't/doesn't simply become the sum or more of its parts, it will become less than the sum and maybe just a little bigger, which is where 1 club could have got to by themselves with a little more help anyway.

Given the fact that a lot of the expansion clubs that we have had have made the step up from community clubs rather than been new set ups shows that however disastrous the outcome eventually was, it is possible to make the step up. Surely with more people behind the venture, the more successful its likely to be.

[JM2010]

3 minutes ago, RP London said:

At that point, at community level you, just lose that many clubs' geography, youth etc. You don't create more opportunity for investment either as many businesses sponsor small clubs becuase they are small or there is a link to the decision maker that can get lost by doing this. It wouldn't/doesn't simply become the sum or more of its parts, it will become less than the sum and maybe just a little bigger, which is where 1 club could have got to by themselves with a little more help anyway.

You’d lose 2 community clubs in a region where there aren’t many to start with. Expansion needs to create more clubs not less. Any club that does join League 1 needs to at least have a commitment to growing the junior game in their area, otherwise what’s the point

[Gomersall]

15 minutes ago, Sports Prophet said:

To my point above, I would consider there opportunity to revise the NCL into moving into the third tier, with split East and West divisions at tier 3, 4 and 5 with a southern/midlands (and maybe northern if possible) division incorporated into the structure at tier 3 downwards also.

We don’t have a proper pyramid like they do in soccer. You can’t just tell teams what league they are playing in at community level. Teams will play where it suits them if the parent league is willing to have them.

[dkw]

1 hour ago, Gomersall said:

I’ve seen quotes from at least one L1 expansion clubs who think that regionalisation wouldn’t be to their benefit as they feel they need to be playing the ‘heartlands’ teams on a regular basis.

I've felt the best set up would be regional leagues with inter region competitions, a cup comp and also a play off system where the 2 regions come together at the end of the season. 

[Gomersall]

4 minutes ago, sam4731 said:

Given the fact that a lot of the expansion clubs that we have had have made the step up from community clubs rather than been new set ups shows that however disastrous the outcome eventually was, it is possible to make the step up. Surely with more people behind the venture, the more successful its likely to be.

I’m of an age where I can remember more start ups from scratch joining the pro ranks than community clubs stepping up.

[Eddie]

2 hours ago, gingerjon said:

Genuine Q: are you aware of any clubs in your area or league who would be tempted to try?

Seems to me like every one in the south is not at that point yet.

I know Bedford have thought about it but they know they’re a long way off. I can’t think of anyone else who would be tempted, you’d need at least £150k a year. 

[LeytherRob]

43 minutes ago, sam4731 said:

I think whoever it is is going to have to be self sufficient. League 1 clubs and for that matter Championship clubs just can't rely on central funding anymore.

Difficult when you have teams in league 1 travelling more each week on average than any other division. The central funding to help these clubs would be a drop in the ocean to SL clubs. 

[Sports Prophet]

46 minutes ago, sam4731 said:

But surely if they made the commitment to invest their combined resources into creating a professional set up it could work. I'm not talking 2 clubs by the way, I'm thinking a cooperative between multiple clubs.

Combined resources? They are run by volunteers.

[Sports Prophet]

35 minutes ago, Gomersall said:

We don’t have a proper pyramid like they do in soccer. You can’t just tell teams what league they are playing in at community level. Teams will play where it suits them if the parent league is willing to have them.

Naturally. The divisions need to be in the interest of the participants. Without asking them, I don’t see these divisions being outside the realms of possibly suiting them.

[del capo]

16 minutes ago, Gomersall said:

We don’t have a proper pyramid like they do in soccer. You can’t just tell teams what league they are playing in at community level. Teams will play where it suits them if the parent league is willing to have them.

The NCL unlike other Leagues is not owned by the RFL and tries  above all else to  look after its  members interests. The clubs seem to be largely happy with that. So there will be no restructure imposed from above.

The key to all of it lies in STABILITY and SUSTAINABILITY. The  NCL clubs have that in loads and the RFL worry that League 1 just doesn't. That's why Applications from anywhere are being invited.

Amalgamating clubs to make a bid is ludicrous - it's a survival technique that's all- see Greetland and Elland for instance but even then their independence  and individuality is secure below first team ( and they're  also next door to each other ).Area sides could be a route forward in exceptional cases - the NCL would themselves have entertained a North East Rep side on the demise of Gateshead Storm and the Hurricanes seem to be thriving in the semi pro game.

As I have said , early days  but the conversations appear to be  , finally , on the right lines......

[Bearman]

10 minutes ago, Eddie said:

I know Bedford have thought about it but they know they’re a long way off. I can’t think of anyone else who would be tempted, you’d need at least £150k a year. 

 £150K ?

Double that 

[sam4731]

10 minutes ago, LeytherRob said:

Difficult when you have teams in league 1 travelling more each week on average than any other division. The central funding to help these clubs would be a drop in the ocean to SL clubs. 

That's why the reality of any club coming in needs to have a wealthy backer.

[sam4731]

10 minutes ago, Sports Prophet said:

Combined resources? They are run by volunteers.

Yes there would need to be changes in infrastructures but even amateur clubs need money to run. I'm suggesting that instead of running separate small enterprises, they join forces.

[Tommygilf]

Inviting heartland NCL sides is a poison chalice IMO. Rochdale Mayfield could overtake the Hornets pretty quickly for example, but to what benefit of either?

Its one of the unique points in RL history that we have always had a distinction between the professional and amateur game. The reasons for that remain largely the same imo.

[del capo]

4 minutes ago, Tommygilf said:

Inviting heartland NCL sides is a poison chalice IMO. Rochdale Mayfield could overtake the Hornets pretty quickly for example, but to what benefit of either?

Its one of the unique points in RL history that we have always had a distinction between the professional and amateur game. The reasons for that remain largely the same imo.

The  shield of amateurism that protects community clubs should not be lightly discarded. There is no suggestion of that as yet.

Protectionism though ? Not at all sure.

Mayfield applied and were rejected at a time when Hornets were useless. Manchester Rangers had a similar fate.....

Now if League 1 clubs were based on ' Expenses ' ( generous ) only and given a good but  still peanuts travel allowance as far as the RFL were concerned...............

 

4 minutes ago, Tommygilf said:

Inviting heartland NCL sides is a poison chalice IMO. Rochdale Mayfield could overtake the Hornets pretty quickly for example, but to what benefit of either?

Its one of the unique points in RL history that we have always had a distinction between the professional and amateur game. The reasons for that remain largely the same imo.