Interestingly, the RFL have announced the dates and format of the 2020 Challenge Cup, which of course we are still in and were drawn to play Catalans at home. As it stands we're due to play Catalans on 23rd August.
With question marks over us and also our potential opponents, I'll be amazed if this is played. Which begs the question of the value of playing the cup in the first place (not due to us not competing if that's the case, but all Championship clubs).
York, Featherstone, Sheffield, Newcastle & Widnes are all still in the hat. How viable would it be to come back just to play one game?
Not viable at all, the RFL know that but are happy to sacrifice the Championship clubs for "the greater good". Just another example of the great divide between SL and the rest. Sad times 🙁
Stupid if we decide to play in it.
I've had an e-mail from the RFL today, informing me that the final will be on 17 October, but whilst Wembley is provisionally booked, the venue, and whether fans will be allowed to attend in still unconfirmed.
There's various options as to the poss of fans (like me) with tickets booked not being able to attend. including (amongst others) saving it for the 2021 final, or the World Cup. Obviously, if it's on, and fans are allowed in, I'll be there, but..........
An empty Wembley? I would imagine that at least a deposit has been paid to the stadium authorities, so if it's a closed door event, I can see the RFL taking a huge financial hit.
We are in unprecedented times, and nobody could've foreseen what we've all had to endure during lockdown, so to me, the RFL are not guilty of any shortcomings.
Your game with Les Cats is a huge anomaly, but to be honest, I can't see anything other than you giving 'em a bye to the next round. It would (to me) be pointless bringing guys off furlough for what'd prob be (with the greatest respect) a defeat, and even if fans were allowed in, the following from across La Manche would be (at best) minimal.
Nowt personal, but I'm (now) glad you beat us in the previous round, coz we're now avoiding the huge headaches there's gonna be for you, in staging / not staging the tie.
Stay safe one and all.
Spelly.
Very strange situation even at these times, on tv the other night, not sure which channel, premier league football seem to think that a change is possible early autumn. Mentioned was stadiums could be allowed to have fans in with 2 thirds of capacity due to being outdoor venues.
If, and it’s a big if, that means early September then that would appear to fit in with the CC plans for quarter final games to have some fans in attendance with all seater stadia being used to control numbers etc.
It seems like fans could be allowed back in to stadiums from October, according to Boris.
There's summat on the BBC News 'site, but for some reason (prob coz I'm thick) I can't copy and paste it.
Spelly.
Plans announced today with regards to stadiums and indoor concerts To be allowed to begin again shortly, fasten your seatbelts we could be soon taking off again🤘🏉
There will be costs attached to any start, testing, players pay if furlough is jettisoned, and no assurance atm that fans will be allowed in.
If losses are incurred can we rely on the RFL to help out? No chance whatsoever imo.
Sounds defeatest but it really isn't a starter in commercial terms.
Do people expect the Challenge Cup to be scrapped just for the sake of Championship clubs? Really?! Chances of a Championship club winning the Challenge Cup is practically zero. Granted Fax got to the semi final recently but still would have had to have beaten Saints then Warrington to win it.
This has ramifications on sponsorship, especially if other sports are cracking on with it and Rugby League don't - RFL will get blasted for 'not having a clue'.
If the Championship returns, then play the game - if it doesn't then don't. It's that simple.
Timing is everything and will affect costs to the club. Just how much we can afford to lose just so that we can say 'we played the game' has to be weighed very carefully.
Fans in stadiums from October, should we just aim for next season im February? I would want the Challenge Cup scrapping personally yes, if 6 or 7 teams can't play it makes it a farce.
I suppose it all depends on whether we can afford to play in the 6th Round of the CC and whether or not the Championship/League 1 season is scrapped.
The current furlough scheme runs to the end of October, so we are getting 80% of wages paid through the scheme (reducing to 70% in September and 60% in October). Assuming a squad of 20 coming off furlough at the beginning of August, the cost to the club in wages alone for players/coaches could be anything up to £100,000 for the three months ie lost furlough money. Other costs for testing, insurance, ground hire and other costs would need to be added.
On this basis, unless the RFL are prepared to underwrite the costs, I just cannot see how Widnes or any other Championship/League 1 club could take part in the CC. This cost could, of course, be considered against the loss of income to the RFL from tv/sponsorship, if the competition was scrapped.
And how much of the cash pocketed by the RFL would filter down to us, or the Championship altogether?
I would go with abandon the CC and get ready for next season, whenever, or if ever, it starts!!
Fans in stadiums from October, should we just aim for next season im February? I would want the Challenge Cup scrapping personally yes, if 6 or 7 teams can’t play it makes it a farce.
For me that’s too long away.
I’d make the 1895 cup into an old Northern Rail Cup competition and play it in January. League starts in February. Friendlies throughout December.
Fans in stadiums from October, should we just aim for next season im February? I would want the Challenge Cup scrapping personally yes, if 6 or 7 teams can’t play it makes it a farce.
For me that’s too long away. I’d make the 1895 cup into an old Northern Rail Cup competition and play it in January. League starts in February. Friendlies throughout December.
That sounds like a good plan to me. What is needed is for the RFL to make a decision, so that clubs can plan for the 2021 season (or indeed a 2020 season, if that is there decision).
From a fans point of view, the uncertainty could lead to indifference if it drags on too long. December will not feel too far away once plans for friendlies and fixtures in 2021 are announced. There will also be the interest in knowing about player outgoings and incomings for next season. I hope we can retain all or most of the players we have and bring in those much needed old heads in the pack. Interesting times ahead.