I don't neccessarily mean while we were in Super League, I was more thinking that we failed to get promoted twice (2006 and 2007), when had we done so, it would probably have secured our Super League status. If Hull KR had not survived in 2007, then they would not have got a franchise, simple as. But as it were, they made it impossible for the RFL to kick them out. Likewise, Castleford got in in the perfect year, and although they didn't have the best of time on the field, there was not three clubs better than them in the licence process.
The licensing system is required if rugby league is to expand to two full time leagues in the mid to long term. Come 2012, there will be a fair few clubs aspiring to SL standard (there was already 19 from last years application, well add Toulouse, Gateshead, Doncaster and more to that list). I think that when we get to 2015/2018, there will be serious scope for two leagues. I hope so anyway. At that stage, promotion and relegation will be re-introduced, and the continuation of the licensing process will drop from SL to SL2 (so clubs like say Swinton, if they won the third tier, would have to apply and meet criteria or whatever to be able to replace the bottom team in SL2). There would need to be further support for the RL Conference National clubs to move up to the National Leagues, so you would then have a four-tier professional structure of the two full time leagues (SL1 and SL2) and two part time leagues (NL1 and NL2), with a genuine pyramid structure (like in football and rugby union) finally being adopted by rugby league.
The only question I would have in this regard is how will the money stack up? The existing SL clubs are forever wanting more to finance their overseas players and thsi won't stop until Sky/RFL stop it. To run a two diviision Euro League there must be a massive finacial re-think.
I agree that this is the way ahead but the finances could be the stumbling block, unless the RFL have a civert agreement with Sky regarding the next franchise bidding process.
They want Toulouse in to support Catalan's in France, they will continue to support Celtic because they have to, they would like Gateshead in because it spreads the game internally and they would love a Scottish side in eventually but probably not at the present time.
The Championship sides have made great strides to raise themselves to SL standard, indeed at least Leigh and ourselves are better than many SL sides 'off the field', so there is pressure of sorts to expand the SL in the heartland and through Europe.
I suspect that there is still a hidden agenda within Sky/RFL and we will only know what it is when we need to know. Certainly I received a letter from Ray French who was quite definate that Widnes 'will be in SL in 20012'. Now that maybe because he knows something but can't say, or he may be being supportive to a downcast Vikings supporter, but he didn't have to be so positive.
Trust in Widnes
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