Realise there a few unknowns - will png reserves be promoted and are fev back in
assuming all other clubs make it to the starting line we are still probably looking at 20 teams below the promised land
but surely the clowns in charge could have made a decision by now about the format ?
even if it’s 2+versions, 1 with PNG, the other without
I am looking forward to next season as I think we have a great squad - fingers crossed very few injuries
will it be east and west conferences like it was when spelly was a boy ?
and where do the extra fixtures come from - if conferences I would hope for cross conference fixtures - would like fax,dewsbury, Keighley for sure
thoughts ?
Realise there a few unknowns - will png reserves be promoted and are fev back in
assuming all other clubs make it to the starting line we are still probably looking at 20 teams below the promised land
but surely the clowns in charge could have made a decision by now about the format ?
even if it’s 2+versions, 1 with PNG, the other withoutI am looking forward to next season as I think we have a great squad - fingers crossed very few injuries
* will it be east and west conferences like it was when spelly was a boy ?
and where do the extra fixtures come from - if conferences I would hope for cross conference fixtures - would like fax,dewsbury, Keighley for surethoughts ?
* When it was only one league, you played all the teams in your county (so you met the likes of 'Ornits, 'Yeds, and us) plus (I think) three teams from over t'hills, with the Yorkshire teams doing similar.
There was a top four play off at the end, and I'm almost certain, there was no LLS / hubcap for who finished top.
in the '62-'63, and '63-'64 seasons (when we were champs both times) they introduced the Eastern, and Western Championship to add fixtures to the calendar, but.................
We can only (continue to) guess what the powers-that-be will throw at us next term!
As I've asked before, will it be Broncos v Wire, Saints, and FC, or v 'Fax, 'Canes, and Chemics instead?
Will Fev return, will Cru be with us at all?
How can CEOs, and directors plan for 2027 (season tickets etc) when they don't know who'll they'll be playing?
A shed-load of questions, but not a single answer!
Let's hope we know summat concrete soon!
Spelly.
It has to be decided soon. If London go up and Featherstone come back its 2 divisions of 10. Thats 18 games. We know its 24 games so looking at 6 cross division fixtures .
This season was an organisational mess and it looks to be heading the same way. No confirmed structure and London/Featherstone/Crusaders up in the air.
West - Widnes, Oldham, Salford, Rochdale, Swinton, Barrow, Workington, Whitehaven, Crusaders, Midlands
East - Doncaster, Halifax, Sheffield, Newcastle, Batley, Hunslet, Keighley, Goole, Dewsbury, Featherstone.
Have to play 3 of the East division teams home and away to give 24 games. Fax would be my 1st choice.
Top 8 play offs, 4 from each side.
What's the format of the 1895 cup? The end of season play-offs?West - Widnes, Oldham, Salford, Rochdale, Swinton, Barrow, Workington, Whitehaven, Crusaders, Midlands
East - Doncaster, Halifax, Sheffield, Newcastle, Batley, Hunslet, Keighley, Goole, Dewsbury, Featherstone.
Have to play 3 of the East division teams home and away to give 24 games. Fax would be my 1st choice.
Top 8 play offs, 4 from each side.
Just asking
Paulie xx
No idea but top 8 play off system, 1st from West plays 4th from East, straight knock out Premiership style. Final Venue alternated each year between East and West, East will be Wakey, West the Halliwell Jones.
1895 to take place on Challenge Cup weekends, bottom 8 from last year to play a premlim round. 4 go through joining last years top 12 in a 16 team knockout. 3 wins to reach the final last 16/quarter/semi. Final to return to blackpool with the womens Challenge Plate final as a curtain raiser for League 1 and Championship teams.
Deal with the pleasure beach for discounted tickets on the Saturday as part of a dual ticket offer for the weekend. Stick with it for a few years and build momentum as an event weekend with reduced prices for season ticket holders of other Champ and SL sides.
@dan1 All makes sense. Which means there's no chance of the RFL coming up with it.
I am a firm believer that all Finals (Challenge Cup, 1895, GF, Champ GF) should be on neutral venues.
Paulie xx
Proposed play-off format is top 5 from each league. Top 3 in each get a week off. 4th v 5th from each individual league plays each other for the fourth spot. God knows why.
1895 Cup is going to be similar to Champions League format - just one big league, but you only play six games. Then the top eight go through to quarter finals.
I may be cynical (OK I am cynical), but I think the RFL are stringing Crusaders along until they know what's happening with London. Doesn't sound like Fev will be back.
with the top 5 playoff - is that in each conference and winners play each other ?
surely a cross conference playoff would be better earlier ?
for instance once you have the top 4 1 east plays 4 west and so on
mind you I still struggle with why 4 plays 5 in the first place …. Oh it’s the clowns again of course
Well with crusaders now withdrawn, the NRL deal probably not until 2028, and Featherstone funding announcement, this muddies the water even further as if it is 2 regional conferences a Yorkshire team would have to be in the west to even up numbers ?
@dan1 your suggestion is far too sensible for the RFL. I have no faith whatsoever about anything that the RFL propose. Another dogs dinner like this year probably on the way for 2027.