If Widnes were successful which I seriously doubt will happen its not just the playing side which would need to be completely revamped but the whole operation. Just cant see if happening and where are funds coming from.
In my opinion, there is not a great deal of difference between Widnes and Bradford and it may well come down to financial sustainability. or maybe a bit of influence from somewhere.
The Club will have to provide details of any financial backers to meet the financial sustainability criteria, in their bid. Good luck to them.
Whoever gets the nod. there should be promotion and relegation next year and every year, based on performance on the pitch, with the possible proviso that any promoted club will be required to meet a minimum grade B grading. There are currently 23 clubs with a Grade B, 24 if you include Oldham.
Poss should be on the General page, but as it may (will?) affect your application, I've put it on here!
There's summat on CODE NRL that "Darren Lockyer is poised to to take control of the London Broncos -------- eyeing the club's return to Super League -------"
I would suggest he's not coming over with the prospect of heading to Heywood Road next term!
If anyone can find it, then copy and paste, please do so!
Spelly.
@spelly Somebody flying a kite. Perhaps we should put out there that he will be coming here as an assistant to Allan Coleman in SL and bringing Nathan Cleary with him.
Mind you, the way RFL runs the game, it is not impossible for the London experiment to be given another chance - how long have they been trying? Was it Fulham in 1980 when it started? But what a success. they have managed to increase the crowds to 800!!
Link to article below
London Broncos set for takeover led by NRL legend Lockyer
It does look like a flyer though.
@frankg Yeah mate, 1980! We were the second team to go there after their formation, and we lost!
Forty-five years later, they're still going, so is that success in itself?
Cardiff Blue Dragons, Carlisle, went by the wayside, and more recently the likes of Oxford, and Hemel have had a similar demise, with Cornwall baling out during the current campaign. I know there's a shed-load of others as well, who are no longer with us, so............
I ask you again, with all those others ducking, should it be considered success that the Broncos are still alive?
Do they deserve to be in SL next term? No in my opinion, as they've not (by a distance) done it on the park this season, but................
DL's not going there for the fun if it! Does he / they know summat we don't?
I've said a few times that my predictions for the "new" teams will be a straight swap between the Pinks and Toulouse, with the "picks" being York, and the Bulls, but..............
With this announcement today, should I be having a re-think?
Spelly.
Interesting that the salfraud case adjourned to October 29th - 3 days after the SL participants announced
with regard to PR do you not think they will go with top 12 on IMG every year and the other 2 exempt from relegation for first year ?
1) Interesting that the salfraud case adjourned to October 29th - 3 days after the SL participants announced
2) with regard to PR do you not think they will go with top 12 on IMG every year and the other 2 exempt from relegation for first year ?
1) Isn't the announcement the week following the GF? 16-ish October? I thought it was, but stand to be corrected.
2) I've said previously that a "no relegation in 2026" clause could be written in SL by-laws, when the announcement is made. Will it be extended beyond that? We'll have to see!
Spelly.
Just wondering with the wires female team dropping out of SuperLeague and the team at the top of the championship being given the opportunity to apply to replace them will that not give us a tick in the box above others ???
There's summat on Serious About Rugby League, that there's nine applications been submitted for SL inclusion next term, and the Pinks aren't amongst 'em.
Cas aren't there either, but they're confident they'll be in courtesy of their IMG rating.
You're in the mix of course, so your dream is still alive.
Prediction! Pinks v Lions or vice-versa come Good Friday!
If someone can post the thread on here please do, and help this tech thickie!
Thank you!
Spelly.
There’s no chance of us getting into super league the club know it and the fans, the club have a “ six year plan” to get us there well what’s changed in the last 12 months to put us 5 years ahead of where we thought we would be? Performances on the pitch are at an all time low the crowds and game day experience are no better who are we actually kidding about super league? Look at the players we’ve got signed up compared to the other teams in our division we’ve got Liam bent and Joe Lyon’s they’d struggle to make an impact at West Bank never mind against super league opponents.
There’s no chance of us getting into super league the club know it and the fans, the club have a “ six year plan” to get us there well what’s changed in the last 12 months to put us 5 years ahead of where we thought we would be? Performances on the pitch are at an all time low the crowds and game day experience are no better who are we actually kidding about super league? Look at the players we’ve got signed up compared to the other teams in our division we’ve got Liam bent and Joe Lyon’s they’d struggle to make an impact at West Bank never mind against super league opponents.
Do you expect Bradford, York & London, if promoted, will be running with the team that's playing in this years Championship?
It's irrelevant, who is signed up for 2026. All players contracts will become null & void. Most, I'd imagine, won't want a SL gig as they have good jobs, a few will.
Get this idiotic mentality, of our 2025 on the field performances, out of your heads. This team would look nothing like a WV SL team. If we don't get invited, then the Comp is going to be weaker anyway.
Paulie xx
Get this idiotic mentality, of our 2025 on the field performances, out of your heads. This team would look nothing like a WV SL team. If we don't get invited, then the Comp is going to be weaker anyway.
That is true Paulie, but in the event of not getting a SL place (and I am still hopeful, but less hopeful by the day!!) we don't seem to be assembling a team to compete at the top of the Championship; and to retain existing fans and attract new fans.
Having said that typical RFL, does anyone know what the distribution of central funds will look like in 2026 and whether there will be promotion and relegation? What will be the point of the Championship in 2026 if no funding, no promotion, no point really. Even die hard supporters of many years are questioning whether it is worth going through another season like this. Who will buy a season ticket or pay £24 at the gate to watch mediocre players in a mediocre game against the likes of Goole Vikings, Midlands Hurricanes, Newcastle Thunder et al?
Well I will buy a season ticket next season and we will be in the championship or whatever they call it
There will be 3 teams missing from this year, but there will be a lot of players available as they are either sub SL standard or do not want full time rugby
i would like to enjoy (as others have said ) a decent game of rugby where either team can win
i live in hope