Provided the money stacks up it could be a way back into the routine, but I would spell the options out to the players - have a go or concentrate on a long pre-season.
I cannot see how any club can make any money from this competition, even if they win it. If it is starting in October, then players would need to come out of furlough in September to get into training, thereby losing the Government funding of wages costs for September and October (70% and 60% respectively). In addition, there would be administrative, match day, testing and other costs. Even if spectators are let back in within social distancing guidelines from October, I am not sure that the competition would generate a great deal of interest.
Would players who have lined up contracts elsewhere want to risk playing? Would players not offered deals for 2021 want to play?
I guess that the club will make a decision based on the costs of participating and the views of Sheen and the players.
I would prefer we sorted out the 2021 squad and then started pre-season with some friendlies in November/December. It would probably have made more sense if the RFL had consulted clubs on the proposed competition before announcing it, but it is RFL!
As you say typical half-cock RFL effort. Injuries would be my worry too. Only exception is if the players need to stretch their legs. That could be satisfied with some off beat training ideas, just to break the boredom, with less injury risk.
A weird situation with players taking up new contracts yet playing for the old club. You're hardly going to want them belting next year's talent!
LE reporting no P/R to be confirmed by Thursday, RFL wanting a £300k settlement which will go towards the running of an autumn competition. Some clubs (I presume Leigh and Featherstone), unhappy at this. Autumn Competition: an extra Cup or a shortened League with the Proper League starting in Feb?
Why not an Autumn play-off for Championship teams to win promotion, with round one played in groups based on current league positions; the winner of each group to play in a semi final; and the winners to play-off for SL place. Personally, I would prefer a 16 team Premiership (SL) with all four group winners being promoted and, assuming TWP don’t return, the group second place teams to play-off for fifth promotion spot. I am sure that this would generate tv interest and could be played in November/December to avoid losing furlough money for August/September. Clubs would also receive income from crowd receipts, assuming that this is permitted. Just a thought!
From who? Who is going to pay to show it (Even if they're allowed which is a big if), and who would either watch and/or pay to watch what won't even be up to the normal standard, which isn't usually great for a lot of games?
As sad as it is, RL is & was on it's arse financially anyway before this, especially those clubs not in SL & as soon as the furlough scheme ends 90% of these clubs will have to go bust and start again
Bradford are playing in it.
Bradford are playing in it.
Perhaps the think that they my be the only team in it and can claim the full prize money!!!!
The more I think about it, the more I would rather we rested and recruited for a good play-off qualifying season in 2021.
I mean, I would like us to win some silverware as in my lifetime we have the wonderful total of a NFP and 2 NRCs (and a Regal Trophy when I was just born!) but a hastily cobbled together Autumn Cup isn't all that!
What does everyone else think?
Concentrate on building the squad, a good pre-season, plenty of perfect practice and be ready for next season.
Notice that Rochdale have drawn attention to the need to declare that you are making a donation if you're not claiming a refund on your season ticket. That way the club can reclaim the VAT.
Notice that Rochdale have drawn attention to the need to declare that you are making a donation if you’re not claiming a refund on your season ticket. That way the club can reclaim the VAT.
I'm sure we can all do that, extra money that way as well
I agree that the club should concentrate on a good pre-season with the squad prior to the start of the 2021 season, with a hope of returning to some normality.
I really can't see any point in taking part in a meaningless Autumn Cup without any crowd and the likelihood of losing money.
LE reporting no P/R to be confirmed by Thursday, RFL wanting a £300k settlement which will go towards the running of an autumn competition. Some clubs (I presume Leigh and Featherstone), unhappy at this. Autumn Competition: an extra Cup or a shortened League with the Proper League starting in Feb?
Why not an Autumn play-off for Championship teams to win promotion, with round one played in groups based on current league positions; the winner of each group to play in a semi final; and the winners to play-off for SL place. Personally, I would prefer a 16 team Premiership (SL) with all four group winners being promoted and, assuming TWP don’t return, the group second place teams to play-off for fifth promotion spot. I am sure that this would generate tv interest and could be played in November/December to avoid losing furlough money for August/September. Clubs would also receive income from crowd receipts, assuming that this is permitted. Just a thought!
From who? Who is going to pay to show it (Even if they’re allowed which is a big if), and who would either watch and/or pay to watch what won’t even be up to the normal standard, which isn’t usually great for a lot of games? As sad as it is, RL is & was on it’s arse financially anyway before this, especially those clubs not in SL & as soon as the furlough scheme ends 90% of these clubs will have to go bust and start again
Well no one really as the competition will not be happening, as it was never likely to do so. Just a thought really.
My own view is that a competition in this format, played over a relatively short period, with the prize of promotion to SL up for grabs, or possibly going for a radical change to SL by the introduction of 4 or 5 new teams, would have generated interest from clubs and potentially Sky. Assuming crowds would be allowed back in grounds at that time, it could have generated interest from fans who would see a chance of promotion.
This compares to the proposed RFL Autumn competition, which has not generated any interest from clubs, players or fans, with the prize of potentially losing money.
I can't see how you can say that games would not be up to "normal standard", with clubs being given a reasonable to train prior to the start of the competition and the incentive for promotion to SL.
I hope that you are wrong in your prediction of 90% of clubs going bust once the furlough scheme ends at the end of October. I would agree that without the furlough scheme, many clubs would be in financial melt-down including a few in SL. We will just have to see whether any clubs will struggle to survive from the from the end of October to January/February,when the season re-starts and hopefully they can be playing games and generating income.
I suspect that the biggest impact will be on reductions in players' wages and/or smaller squads when new contracts are offered from 1 December. For some clubs, a lot will depend on the take up of 2021 season tickets and any demands from fans for a refund of the 2020 season ticket cost.
You never know, 2021 may see a resurgence of the game of RL in the UK, with interest all levels of the game being promoted, with increased interest from tv companies; and clubs playing at a standard above the "normal level". But there again, I did propose a play-off competition for promotion to SL in 202o, so it is unlikely to happen.
It might very well be now half a dozen Hull players have tested positive for Covid!
To be fair to the SL clubs, they are damned if they do and if they don't now.
Curtailing the season would mean Sky money paying back, which would mean even more financial problems.
Playing on outside bubbles or without two tests a week is affordable but can leave more vulnerability to Corona as seen with the Hull situation.
Makes the idea of the Autumn Comp even more of a folly.