Major Rival....

[Sunny]

Or even past the group stage, Sunny

Cheers! I overlooked that - as did BBBD in his haste to have a dig at the club.

[rufustanner]

.... for SL.

Halifax have now got their ground in order and must be a threat to our SL bid. If Wakey and Cas get bombed out, then 'Fax stand a good chance of keeping the Yorkshire quota at 6.

I know the youth set up is poor, but they have ticked the box by appearing in the Grand Final last year, and their on field performance is a lot better than ours.

And don't forget their link with a certain Mr Wood.

I certainly see them as a threat.

To clarify.....you think a club that has a worse ground (lower capacity), lower attendances, no youth setup, haven't won anything and have probably broke operational rules by fielding an ineligible player in the CC and thus being kicked out are in a better position than us for SL? Whatever you're smoking you have got your moneys worth.

[GRIFFIN]

as for having no youth maybe they will promise the RFL that by 2015 they wil have a full youth set up ( worked for alot of clubs on stadiums so why not youth)

reading last nights programme notes on Fev, they say they are going to speak to the RFL in respect of setting up an accademy team for 2011. In my opinion, when their accademy has proved itself in 3 years then they can include it in any SL aplication and not before.

[Winny Ingram]

To clarify.....you think a club that has a worse ground (lower capacity), lower attendances, no youth setup, haven't won anything and have probably broke operational rules by fielding an ineligible player in the CC and thus being kicked out are in a better position than us for SL? Whatever you're smoking you have got your moneys worth.

TBH it fits the bill.

[newsboy]

If the salary cap was raised to £500,000 it would be wrong to assume that SOC would spend up to it.
In terms of licences, from the Championship, only Leigh are serious contenders to ourselves. We both have excellent stadiums, both are 'okay' financially, both have youth development in place - though ours is far superior. They are yet to tick a box - but could easily do so by being in the grand final, and they are the second best supported club in the league (I think) behind ourselves. Featherstone's application will fall down on attendances and youth development, Barrow's on stadium facilities, attendances and youth development, Halifax's on youth development, attendances and their financial position. Who knows what the RFL have in store for us regarding Toulouse? If Leigh win the Grand Final and we don't qualify for the finals, Leigh's bid might just nudge ahead of ours. Only they, IMHO, have a bid that can compete with ours in any way shape or form. #and even if they do win the GF, I still think their overall bid will be less convincing than ours. 

[TheGoldenBoot]

.... for SL.

Halifax have now got their ground in order and must be a threat to our SL bid. If Wakey and Cas get bombed out, then 'Fax stand a good chance of keeping the Yorkshire quota at 6.

I know the youth set up is poor, but they have ticked the box by appearing in the Grand Final last year, and their on field performance is a lot better than ours.

And don't forget their link with a certain Mr Wood.

I certainly see them as a threat.

So where is their youth and community structures? Where are their crowds? Where is their sustainable business plan? What exactly is it, other than a shiny new stand in their stadium that puts their club anywhere close to ours in the franchise stakes?

You claim yourself that their youth structure is poor, so what are they going to bring to SL  and the future strength of the domestic and international game. The grand final appearance simply allows them to apply and their current on field form is irrelevant to the franchise selection process.

They've deliberately gone all out spending on the first team to the neglect of all those other elements that make up a successful franchise application, that is why they are so strong on the field and that is why they will remain strong in the Championship for the foreseeable future. If they carry on in this vein and do the things that we have done, then by 2015 they may be serious contenders.

This board is like ground hog day at times.

[rs]

If the salary cap was raised to £500,000 it would be wrong to assume that SOC would spend up to it.
In terms of licences, from the Championship, only Leigh are serious contenders to ourselves. We both have excellent stadiums, both are 'okay' financially, both have youth development in place - though ours is far superior. They are yet to tick a box - but could easily do so by being in the grand final, and they are the second best supported club in the league (I think) behind ourselves. Featherstone's application will fall down on attendances and youth development, Barrow's on stadium facilities, attendances and youth development, Halifax's on youth development, attendances and their financial position. Who knows what the RFL have in store for us regarding Toulouse? If Leigh win the Grand Final and we don't qualify for the finals, Leigh's bid might just nudge ahead of ours. Only they, IMHO, have a bid that can compete with ours in any way shape or form. #and even if they do win the GF, I still think their overall bid will be less convincing than ours. 

Has been reported elsewhere from Companies House returns taht they are £1.1m in the red and that was before this year (which they must be making significant losses on).

[Pop Cider]

So where is their youth and community structures? Where are their crowds? Where is their sustainable business plan? What exactly is it, other than a shiny new stand in their stadium that puts their club anywhere close to ours in the franchise stakes?

You claim yourself that their youth structure is poor, so what are they going to bring to SL  and the future strength of the domestic and international game. The grand final appearance simply allows them to apply and their current on field form is irrelevant to the franchise selection process.

They've deliberately gone all out spending on the first team to the neglect of all those other elements that make up a successful franchise application, that is why they are so strong on the field and that is why they will remain strong in the Championship for the foreseeable future. If they carry on in this vein and do the things that we have done, then by 2015 they may be serious contenders.

This board is like ground hog day at times.

This thread has got a debate going, that was the whole idea.

The one thing I will say is 'DO NOT UNDER-ESTIMATE THE RFL, AND DO NOT THINK THERE ARE ANY HARD AND FAST RULES, THEY WILL DO THINGS HOW THEIR PAYMASTERS SKY TELL THEM'

[TheGoldenBoot]

This thread has got a debate going, that was the whole idea.

The one thing I will say is 'DO NOT UNDER-ESTIMATE THE RFL, AND DO NOT THINK THERE ARE ANY HARD AND FAST RULES, THEY WILL DO THINGS HOW THEIR PAYMASTERS SKY TELL THEM'

In response to that, I will also say do not underestimate the business acumen of Steve O'Connor.

[Penkvik]

In response to that, I will also say do not underestimate the business acumen of Steve O'Connor.

I'd agree with you, I think SOC has done his homework on what is required and gone about it in business like way.Academy,community etc,sound business plan.
Yes we'd all like to see the 1st team winning more games but I think SOC is putting everything in place for the bid,just hope the RFL don't change the rules.

[reg warner]

If Leigh win the Grand Final and we don't qualify for the finals, Leigh's bid might just nudge ahead of ours.

But Leigh were relegated last season and are only in our league because of Gateshead's problems.