That's true but is the game, as a whole, getting better with self financing clubs etc ? I suspect that the really annoying factor in all the IMG goings on is the Magnificent 7's unchallenged status.
This presumably assumes that some unnamed benefactor will appear when the existing backers depart!
@jdgsport I think Cas and Wakefield did more p1ssing money up the wall than Hunslet and Oldham.The millions they both received over the years and all to show for it is one new stand between the two of them.
To be fair, it was meant very much tongue in cheek as I genuinely believe that genuine promotion/relegation is the most sporting way of deciding things.
All of the Top 7 bar Hull KR would be in SL ad infinitum bar a massive financial collapse or an absolutely horrible season anyway.
What is really anti-sport is London won the final and are relegated before kicking a ball.
From our POV, it is our own fault through bad signings and decision making on the pitch that we are not higher in the pecking order.
The more I look at this and think it through, you have to take history of RL into context.
dates could be slightly wrong, spelly will correct I am sure
it has gone through so many changes, having London and welsh clubs in the league back in the 40/50 s
Having east and west conferences 50/60s
one league of 30 teams 60s
2 divisions in the 70s - 14 and 16 , followed by 14 and 20 in second division all playing each other twice
then came sky with the Wigan ringmaster
2 divisions, PR every year - no requirements as to ground etc
then it was introduced minimum standards required - Huddersfield finished clear bottom for years with crowds of about 800 but did not relegated as sides winning the league below did not have the facilities- dewsbury for one
Merging was mentioned next, we were to merge with dire and Gateshead merged with hull which kept them in the top flight, and guess where they played ?
then franchising came - we know all about that
Next back to PR - happy days
now we are back to franchising under a different guise, teams will be promoted regardless of on field efforts
toulouse with questionable finance and little fan base replacing castleford or london
Regardless of this madness I have decided to renew our 2 ST s as I think this is a pivotal season for our club and hope many more do
800 crowds at Huddersfield in SL? I can't remember that DD
TBH all that I want is an afternoon's entertainment, live!
We have seen and been 'the best' and it's not going to happen again in my lifetime at least!!
Time for today's youth to show the way they want the game to go, and if they don't it will fold.
Thinking about it how many died in the wool Liverpool supporters actually go to a match? Most walk to the local and watch it there!
maybe before SL actually, but remember they were promoted into SL after PSG demise, when they played Sheffield in division 2+they had 572 attending
the point is this latest adventure is more farcical than franchising - if 3 clubs suddenly are promoted by off field performance sums it up
as I have said what happens when 12 teams achieve the A grading ? How can any team below get in ?
@ditton-donkey let's hope Widnes don't get judged on the Canal Street crowds if we're going that far back
maybe before SL actually, but remember they were promoted into SL after PSG demise, when they played Sheffield in division 2+they had 572 attending
the point is this latest adventure is more farcical than franchising - if 3 clubs suddenly are promoted by off field performance sums it up
as I have said what happens when 12 teams achieve the A grading ? How can any team below get in ?
By getting a Grade-A licence. It was explained at a 'Members Monday' by Chris Price & Hamilton, some months back.
RFL/IMG's aim is to have every club achieve Grade A status, Utopia, I know, and it will never happen, but the more G-A clubs there are, the better for the Game as a whole.
Paulie xx
If more than 12 clubs are grade a they will increase the number of clubs in the super league
it was a lesson in history of RFL incompetence, not a comment on crowds forIMG, otherwise you could bring in crowds of 1948 !