No I think we have to apply, otherwise that will go against us in future applications
bit as said before, I think toulose and York will get into the 12
then …. The mystery2 - if London get in that will complete the farce for me
@7-vikingnomad London would be a complete farce as you say. I think it’s been proven several times that people from the capital just don’t want to watch RL. So why do the RFL persist with ‘expansion’?
If the team that wins the Championship Grand Final in 2026 finishes 12th on the IMG standings, but this year's 2 directors picks finish 13th and 14th in next seasons SL table, who gets relegated to make way for the team that finishes 12th in the IMG grading?
Toulouse could well finish 12 in the gradings this year, so whose to say we can't improve from say 16th place to 12th from 2025 to 2026?
Why's that ?No I think we have to apply, otherwise that will go against us in future applications
Just watched the Sportsman Podcast on You Tube, and as I've admitted before, my tech abilities are nowhere near good enough to put the link on here, but..................
It said that one of the twelve applicants are "An ambitious League 1 club." The words "Have financial backing." and "Not M62 corridor." were also mentioned, so.................
On the strength of that, it's either Cru, or 'Canes from where I'm sat.
I'm not sure that the former's ground would be up to SL standards, but could they move back to the Racecourse? The latter's is a quality stadium, that's staged international athletics, meaning a box is ticked there.
Any chance of Cru v Pies, or HKR v 'Canes in 2026?
Over to you again for your comments!
Spelly.
@dan1 My guess is that there will be no promotion and relegation next year or even for several years; and the IMG grading system will be abandoned.
I am still waiting to read somewhere that results and the quality of the product on the pitch play any meaningful bearing on who appears in an expanded Super League!!!!
And I am even more convinced that the Authorities seem hell bent on diluting the spectator base off it, by taking the game to far flung places who have little or no knowledge or interest in the sport.
What a way to run our game !!!! 😥
Fancy implementing a system of the most complex grading calculations in the history of humanity. And then ignoring them for a panel of 3 biased old farts to make the final decision.
Now confirmed that it's Cru who are the League 1 team that's applied for SL.
Are they serious? Is funding there if they get the nod? A a shed-load of ex-Lions looking for a new club if they do?
Spelly.
Now confirmed that it's Cru who are the League 1 team that's applied for SL.
Are they serious? Is funding there if they get the nod? A a shed-load of ex-Lions looking for a new club if they do?
Spelly.
This is becoming ridiculous they have no fans but a rich owner. It is the same with Doncaster applying all small clubs in my eyes. Widnes would have a chance if had a serious backer with loads of money like Beaumont. I feel it has already been chosen to be York, London and Bradford. Rugby league should be the best team on the pitch with 2 up and 2 down for me. The sport is becoming ridiculous how it is run.
This is becoming ridiculous they have no fans but a rich owner. It is the same with Doncaster applying all small clubs in my eyes. Widnes would have a chance if had a serious backer with loads of money like Beaumont. I feel it has already been chosen to be York, London and Bradford. Rugby league should be the best team on the pitch with 2 up and 2 down for me. The sport is becoming ridiculous how it is run.
I've mentioned it previously, but the more i think of it, the more convinced I become is that there'll be two French teams in the top tier next term, with Toulouse doing a straight swap with the Pinks on IMG ratings.
As to who'll join 'em, I'm sticking with York, and Bradford, but...................
I've been wrong many times in the past, so I suggest you don't put your last 50p on my predictions! 🤣
Spelly.
Apply or not comes down to dammed if you do dammed if you don't and I guess that the club are making as good a fist of it as they can.
On that basis I trust our Board not to risk losing the club again.
As many have said the decisions probably have already been made and we are making signings to meet our requirements as they stand. Not to do so would be negligence!
The truth is that the RFL/SKY don't know where the financial future of the game is headed so their promises are, to be honest, by guess and by God!! If the French clubs are happy to meet their own costs to any degree they would probably welcomed with open arms!
@spelly My guess is that this is just a statement of intent by Crusaders in an attempt to promote interest in the game in North Wales.
As far as Crusaders, Oldham and London are concerned surely they need to prove themselves in the Championship by building a decent fanbase, before entry into SL.
Widnes has a fanbase that is the envy of those Clubs and shown the potential of generating bigger crowds in SL through the Warrington Cup game.
I would hope that the financial stability criteria does not boil down to a few rich benefactors having a stand-off to prove which one has the biggest ..................
.......Wallet!!
Maybe the Widnes Board has had the right approach in financial sustainability since Administration, by living within our means, whilst trying to build success on the pitch year on year. We have had our ups and downs, but finished in the play-offs last year and a decent chance to do again this year. They could, like some Clubs, have gone for broke by making big money signings they could not afford, in the hope of promotion.
We have as good a chance as Bradford for promotion on a level playing field, Does that exclude Bradford then!!!!!!
@frankg I said I reckon Bradford will be there, but I didn't say they deserve it, coz of the reasons I've pointed out more than once on this board.
If you pushed me, I'd say the only one of the (current non-SL) applicants who deserve it are the Knights. Financially sound, table toppers as we speak, and a home gaff that's state of the arts. All of which tick the required boxes.
As to who else, I'm far from sure, and delighted it's not me who'll be making the yay and nay decisions, coz............
And I mentioned this before too, there'll be (loud) shouts of "Fix!" "Bent!" "Wrong!" "Why not us?" from those who'll have my mob on their fixture list, rather than the likes of Wire, Rhinos, and Leythers!
Spelly.
This is becoming ridiculous they have no fans but a rich owner. It is the same with Doncaster applying all small clubs in my eyes. Widnes would have a chance if had a serious backer with loads of money like Beaumont. I feel it has already been chosen to be York, London and Bradford. Rugby league should be the best team on the pitch with 2 up and 2 down for me. The sport is becoming ridiculous how it is run.
I've mentioned it previously, but the more i think of it, the more convinced I become is that there'll be two French teams in the top tier next term, with Toulouse doing a straight swap with the Pinks on IMG ratings.
As to who'll join 'em, I'm sticking with York, and Bradford, but...................
I've been wrong many times in the past, so I suggest you don't put your last 50p on my predictions! 🤣
Spelly.
Possibly Toulouse over London, but I just have a guy feeling it be London, Bradford and York. Personally I love it to be Widnes, but I do not think we are ready yet, but I feel in another 2 years we will be mate.