15 team Super League

[RB]

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.

If Celtic get in. There is a fair chance they will fold within the 3 year licence period.
The RFL changed the rules to allow for the possibility to kick out a none performing club within a 3 year licence period.

I am also not convined some of Salfords fans will follow them down the M60 never mind them attract new fans to their new stadium if ot ever gets bulit.

[Neil]

Let me address your points 1 by 1 Kev....


Given a bit of time the Welsh would average higher attendences - Catalans a case in point. - Pure speculation - you cannot directly link the 2. You can only use the evidence in front of you which shows they have very poor attendance when compared to other teams going for franchises ( Us and Salford for example )

Celtic would add a greater media coverage. - How exactly?? SL gets very little national coverage as it is at the mo... I cannot see how a team in wales would increase that appart from increased local media in Wales.....

They would also have a greater catchment area to sign new players. - True however doesn''t european trade laws given each team the right to sign players from Wales as well as the rest of the EU - Thus each team could sign the same players??

In twenty years they could be one of the forces to be recoginsed with given the correct opportuinity and management. - So could a team based in Shetland?, poor arguement there Kev

If Widnes and Celtic both were accepted I believe that they would be stronger in ten - fifteen years time - but short term we would. - Again your own opinion, which i disagree with as there is no foundation to your point....

We are relying too much on our past - the future is more importatant. - Would have agreed with you pre Administration and the take over of Mr O'Connor... We are in effect a fresh club with completely different mentality from top to bottom.. We are looking forward and our application was based on what we will offer when we start playing SL rugby again not what we have done in the past. Yes we used our successfull history in the DVD etx but the bid was not based on that and neither is our outlook???

[mick george]

Good post Fly totally agree

[Mr Widnes]

If ther is a whiff of any kind of conspiracy thenI think between SOC and Stobarts we wiil be able to afford one of the better sports lawyers if not the best and we will tie up the RFL and Superleague for years in the courts.  Can you imagine the scenario of SL being suspended until the court case was sorted, it could be like the bank charges case and go on for months.  I do not think the RFL would have the stomach for a long legal battle so I think they will be straight with the franchise process and if so we will be in.

Steve O'Connor met 3 or 4 times with the RFL (I stand corrected) to have the business plan approved for the new club. This business plan was produced with the intention to get into SL for 2009. i.e.

Mr O'Connor: "I've got £1m here to invest in the club and then make it a viable self funding business in Super League. Here is my business plan"

RFL: "Business plan approved, you can take over the club"

If we don't get in based on the "criteria" then I would have said there is a major case of Misrepresentation on the part of the RFL. Not sure what type in this particular issue as there are a few but there would be an angle for SOC to claim his losses. And if it costs £200k to get a £1m back he will do it.

I read somewhere that Wakefield have yet to fulfil a number of promises made within the document they submitted to the RFL on promotion to SL, that could be our saviour if true.

Like SOC says, the "application is irrestible" both in complying with / exceeding the criteria and complying with the law.

I think we are in.