15 team Super League

[widnes kev]

Heard a rumour from a reliable source (some bloke I work with, who knows a former referee, who is nextdoor neighbour with a former player, who knows Richard Lewis' Auntie Sheila's best friend )...

... That the RFL are considering a 15 team divison as only way to get Celtic in legally and fairly.

... could be a good thing but what would happen to Millenium Magic weekend?

[King Viking]

I've applied to hold the Millennium Magic in my back garden next year, at least there wont be any spare patio chairs

It's either gonna be 15 teams or we're not going to be in it, because it's becoming even more apparent that Celtic are favourites, and Salford aren't far behind, despite Widnes having a far superior application than both teams.

[PeteH]

Your right KV.....it worries me too.

I cant see our application going through unless its a 15 team SL

Oh how i hope i'm wrong.

[mick george]

On what basis are you saying Celtic and Salford are favourites its about time we all put the conspiricy theory to bed
I am afraid your listening to rumours and the biased media that seem to think expansion in Wales will work
Let me ask you this
Whose shoes would you wanna be in at this present time?
I for one would wanna be in the Vikings just as i know alot of the opposing fans would be

[King Viking]

It's not a conspiracy at all, but I just think Salford and Celtic are favourites. How does someone in the media wanting Celtic in mean they are biased? A journalist hasnt got to support the Widnes bid just because we tick all the right boxes.

I'd probably want to be in Celtic's shoes. They havent really got a lot to lose, coz if they dont get in, they'll probably just fold and Leighton Samuel will go and try and form an NFL team or something. Whereas if Widnes dont get in, it's the end of top flight rugby in the town for as long as the licence process is in place.

[trashcansinatra]

It's not a conspiracy at all, but I just think Salford and Celtic are favourites. How does someone in the media wanting Celtic in mean they are biased? A journalist hasnt got to support the Widnes bid just because we tick all the right boxes.

I'd probably want to be in Celtic's shoes. They havent really got a lot to lose, coz if they dont get in, they'll probably just fold and Leighton Samuel will go and try and form an NFL team or something. Whereas if Widnes dont get in, it's the end of top flight rugby in the town for as long as the licence process is in place.

... that sounds like having quite a lot to lose actually!

[mick george]

Looks like this is turning into yet another NEGATIVE post i really do think that some of you dont want a franchise but get off on whinging that Celtic will get one.All you are baseing your selections on is a whim.
As for the media not being biased you having a giggle aint you
Sky are the media and they are promoting celtic as much as possible so they can get the viewing figures in South Wales
Widnes Vikings will score more than some existing Super League teams never mind the NL1 teams
I for one am confident that Mr o connor has put in a first class bid and that is enough to get is into Super League

[PeteH]

Look MG,there is nothing that would please me more than us getting a spot in SL.
But i have seen the goalposts moved so many times.
As i have said....please please prove me wrong.

[mick george]

The thing is Pete that the applications have been in for a while so that the posts cannot be moved anymore.
I agree that Celtic have been given every oppertunity to help them along the way, all i am saying is the only application people need to worry about is ours
To be honest the only worry i have is what will happen after three years , will the RFL go through the same process, will finishing bottom during those three years count against you.
You can bet your bottom dollar that after the three years are up that the RFL will get there way by hook or by crook

[asterix]

As I see it (and also been told by a former GB international no longer playing) is Widnes, Celtic and Salford will get in but will still be a 14 team league, Twitchy bum time at Wakey and Cas me thinks.

In my opinion too I would bet everything I have/own on us being in and to the extreme that we already know it.

[mick george]

I was also told by an acquantice of mine in Yorkshire that Wakey would be that team but it was just hearsay
To be honest there is rumour after rumour going around and like said in another thread its not only spawning hate amoung rival sets of supporters but also on our own messageboard
But i agree with your line of thinking Asterix it just aint the NL1 sides that are worried
But lets not put Leigh out of the eqaution too early

[Paul D]

Got to agree with Mick here, a lot of people are getting hysterical about a process that is at present subject to rumour and speculation.  A rumour appears that Celtic are in and we all start slitting our throats, another rumour is that we are in and Wakey will be thrown out, we are all on a high but feel sad for wakey (rightly so if true by the way).  The simple fact is we have no real information on what will happen.  I for one do not believe that Celtic will get in this time around.  For one thing, they have no history and no solid base from which to work from at present.  They do not have a SL std ground and they have an 800 supporter fan base.  I know people will point out the Catalan dragons as and example but RL has historically been strong in the Catalan region and there are a number of long established RL clubs in that region.  Not only that the catalans at least field quite a few French players, how many true Welsh players have Celtic got??.  We have a good strong case and we have a massive travelling support, which is important.  What do you think the chairmen of the likes of Leeds, Bradford, Saints, Wire etc would want, 50 travelling Celtic fans swelling their coffers by £700 or 2000 Widnes fans swelling the coffers by £28000, assuming the average admission price is £14.  Its a no brainer decision, us of course.  Further more the franchise process will have to stand up to legal scrutiny or there will be massive litigation against the RL if they do some thing underhand.  I am supremely confident that Widnes will be part of SL for the next 3 years and I have every confidence in SOC to ensure that we have a better case than a lot of current SL teams.  If however we get in and we male-chicken it up then it will be our own fault and I will have no sympathy.  That of course is a discussion for another day.

[widnes kev]

The important thing is that all teams gaining a 'C' grade will then be judged on their own merits.  A different set of rules will then be applied.

so..

A & B Licences - automatically in

C licences - RFL will just choose who they'd like.

Before you start, Widnes will get a C grade license - along with Cas, Wake, Hull KR, Featherstone, Salford, Leigh, Celtic, Fax, Toulouse, will all get a C - The RFL will make sure.  Then they'll pick who they want.

That'll be Celtic and Salford - rightly or wrongly - ahead of Widnes.

Our only hope is 15 teams IMHO

[King Viking]

Looks like this is turning into yet another NEGATIVE post i really do think that some of you dont want a franchise but get off on whinging that Celtic will get one.All you are baseing your selections on is a whim.
As for the media not being biased you having a giggle aint you
Sky are the media and they are promoting celtic as much as possible so they can get the viewing figures in South Wales
Widnes Vikings will score more than some existing Super League teams never mind the NL1 teams
I for one am confident that Mr o connor has put in a first class bid and that is enough to get is into Super League

Yes but it's not a case of "if you get more points us you are in". Only the clubs who are going to score more than 5 are guaranteed a licence. Celtic could quite easily score 3 and get in ahead of a team that scored 4, if the RFL decide it that way. They've allowed themselves a loophole in that respect. It's not a case of trusting Mr O'Connor it's a case of trusting the RFL, and they havent got the best record in the past.

Plus SKY aren't the only media. Other newspapers and outlets have been championing the Celtic bid, just as parts of the media have discussed against it. Plus as for Celtic being shown on SKY, why not? They are certainly playing the best rugby in NL1 at present.

[widnes kev]

I'm very positive about us getting in - but also a realist.

I'm pretty tired of only one set of opinions mattering to be honest.

Unless people write only positive posts we get critictised...

I belive this is a forum for opinion - negative or positive - As long as people make contructed arguements with a basis of FACTS then I do not see an opinion.

I'm sure King Viking - like the rest of us - would give anything for Widnes to be expected.

He just doesn't feel we will...

Every club thinks they should be in it...