Decision day

[Mister SX]

Well this is the big day then, or maybe not as one club will find out. Do we all think it is wakefield or will there be a shock?

[newsboy]

Pretty sure it will be Wakefield. Whilst i feel sorry for their fans (if it is them) I am getting fed up with reading in the rugby press how much progress they have made in recent months since they came out of administration and how this should be taken into consideration when judging their suitability for a licence. They can only be judged on their submission made back in March. They have to live within the rules which will indeed take into account their recent financial situation. And whilst they are not the only ones who have been in administration, they are not an expansion club and so will be treated differently. They have had many years of SL finances to get their house in order. They supported the franchise system when they thought it secured their place in the top flight. They were happy to support a view that SL be kept as it is now when this was mooted a year or two ago by the existing SL clubs, thus pulling the draw-bridge up behind them and cutting off ourselves, Leigh, Halifax, Featherstone, etc, for good. No sympathy for the club whatsoever, but genuinely feel sorry for their fans who might even see their clubs very existence threatened by being in the Championship for the next three years.

[Dawn]

I don't think there will be any shocks, I think it will be Wakefield and it will be a very sad day for the Club and its Fans, lets not forget that.

I will be watching comfortable in the knowledge that, at this moment in time, we are the only confirmed SL team for 2012, and the announcement will include the phrase

"who will be joining Widnes Vikings in Super League, 2012?"     

How we have dreamt of hearing that!! 

Thanks again SOC!!   

[Sandgroper]

Newsboy's right in that the next three years could be a real dogfight, getting harder each time.

I just can't help thinking that as the gap widens each year we are getting closer to an Aussie situation with a SL of say 16 teams, all sound financially, maybe with a feeder club Championship.

It is imperative that we kick on as supporters and look for better support year on year, that way we creep into the top elite (nothing to do with on-field success).

[stevo]

Pretty sure it will be Wakefield. Whilst i feel sorry for their fans (if it is them) I am getting fed up with reading in the rugby press how much progress they have made in recent months since they came out of administration and how this should be taken into consideration when judging their suitability for a licence. They can only be judged on their submission made back in March. They have to live within the rules which will indeed take into account their recent financial situation. And whilst they are not the only ones who have been in administration, they are not an expansion club and so will be treated differently. They have had many years of SL finances to get their house in order. They supported the franchise system when they thought it secured their place in the top flight. They were happy to support a view that SL be kept as it is now when this was mooted a year or two ago by the existing SL clubs, thus pulling the draw-bridge up behind them and cutting off ourselves, Leigh, Halifax, Featherstone, etc, for good. No sympathy for the club whatsoever, but genuinely feel sorry for their fans who might even see their clubs very existence threatened by being in the Championship for the next three years.

Good post. Crusaders should be saying goodbye along with Wakefield after the goings on there over the years but unfortunately they will guaranteed a slot before even the likes of Wigan and Leeds as the RFL will bankroll this mob for years just like quins. 

[Peter]

Newsboy's right in that the next three years could be a real dogfight, getting harder each time.
I just can't help thinking that as the gap widens each year we are getting closer to an Aussie situation with a SL of say 16 teams, all sound financially, maybe with a feeder club Championship.
It is imperative that we kick on as supporters and look for better support year on year, that way we creep into the top elite (nothing to do with on-field success).

The gap is widening, inside and outside of SL. Every club in side SL will need at least 5000 season ticket holders, great facilities, and a good away following. In reality can we see Crusdaers, Quins, Salford, and Catalan Dragons surviving in SL on those terms?

The RFL should learn the lesson about "manufactured" teams, given special status, and look at the clubs such as Skolars, SW Scorpions, Workington, Gateshead & Hemel Hempstead to see what they can do about schools rugby and youth development in those areas, and let the failing SL clubs find their own level.

[Pop Cider]

I still see Halifax in the mix somehow, just a funny feeling.

[man on the bridge]

what time is this? an is it on radio, tv etc??

[Dawn]

what time is this? an is it on radio, tv etc??

I think 11 on SKY.....don't know if it may start a bit earlier or it is 11 for 11.30 announcement

[rayvon]

Wire FM going to be there live, they are discussing it now (Roy Basnett)

[Brynhild]

I think 11 on SKY.....don't know if it may start a bit earlier or it is 11 for 11.30 announcement

I hope not. I can't stand listening to that slimy, bent git for half a minute, never mind half an hour.

[Mr Widnes]

www.magictv.co for the office workers. It usually has SSN on it. 

[FUERTEVENTURA VIKING]

Watching Sky news here in the sun looks very ominous for Wakey, film showing weeds growing on the terrace etc.
What I find sad is that without 4 point deduction the bottom 2 would be Crooks aiders & Cockeneys, who just happen to also have the lowest attendances but are classed as expansion.  
Gret day for us but a very sad day for the game, realy hope Wakey are strong enough to come through it all.

[Paul D]

Pretty sure it will be Wakefield. Whilst i feel sorry for their fans (if it is them) I am getting fed up with reading in the rugby press how much progress they have made in recent months since they came out of administration and how this should be taken into consideration when judging their suitability for a licence. They can only be judged on their submission made back in March. They have to live within the rules which will indeed take into account their recent financial situation. And whilst they are not the only ones who have been in administration, they are not an expansion club and so will be treated differently. They have had many years of SL finances to get their house in order. They supported the franchise system when they thought it secured their place in the top flight. They were happy to support a view that SL be kept as it is now when this was mooted a year or two ago by the existing SL clubs, thus pulling the draw-bridge up behind them and cutting off ourselves, Leigh, Halifax, Featherstone, etc, for good. No sympathy for the club whatsoever, but genuinely feel sorry for their fans who might even see their clubs very existence threatened by being in the Championship for the next three years.

Totally agree; no one gave a flying you know what where we were concerned !!

1. Back when it all started no-one gave a monkeys and voted us out with out us even attending the meeting.
2. Countless knock backs when we were the only club following the framing of the future
3. The catalan dragons debacle, (though part of it was our own fault)
4. Not voting London out when they went bust
5. Not taking SOC's guarantees into account and allowing the Cruds in over us. (Now see where that got them!)
6. And many more too numerous to mention.

Now another club is going to get the short end of the stick and now they are all howling how unfair it is, well as far as I am concerned it is time for someone else to get some of our medicine and as we all know it has a very bitter taste.  I am tired of all the lying and the false promises, you either shape up or ship out. Not that we can rest on our laurels and under SOC and his team I am sure we will not.  Ray French said on Trytime last night that we will not be in any danger in 3 years as we are setting up all the proper structures to ensure that not only we survive but we also prosper.

I will feel some regret for the fans of whatever club it is, as they are the innocent parties, but it is time for us to look up not down.

[Brynhild]

Exactly Paul. How much time and money have they had poured into them over the years to make themselves suitable? More SKY money that we have had.

This is why licensing in principle should be a good thing. Clubs can concentrate on improving stadia, facilities and their foundations in the background without being penalised for not being able to put an amazing team out at the same time.