The real tragedy is the lack of trust in our game management. It seems that most clubs and fans rate the competence as pitifully low whereas the few wealthy clubs are well aware that they can manipulate the game to their advantage.
Any potential 'expansionist' club, from anywhere, will be cautioned by the way the TWP were allowed to spend big money over years, then just 'binned'. Imo it was bound to fail and problems sbould have been foreseen and explained to the TWP investors before they spent their money and stuffed up our Chamionship!
Remember the feedback flanel we got from the RFL last time when they had already decided it would be Crusaders and Salford ? Something about our stadium being ‘adequate’.I would’nt give them the opportunity to laugh us out of the building and then patronise us afterwards.
Yes, the charade of coming up with a list of criteria most of which Widnes met and Crusaders didn’t and still admitting Crusaders anyway was one of the most dishonest and corrupt episodes in the history of RL.
Remember the feedback flanel we got from the RFL last time when they had already decided it would be Crusaders and Salford ? Something about our stadium being ‘adequate’.I would’nt give them the opportunity to laugh us out of the building and then patronise us afterwards.
Yes, the charade of coming up with a list of criteria most of which Widnes met and Crusaders didn’t and still admitting Crusaders anyway was one of the most dishonest and corrupt episodes in the history of RL.
I can't remember which publication it was that did a weekly assessment of each applicant based on the criteria supplied but as I recall two clubs qualified for a grade A licence, we were one of 3 or 4 that achieved grade B and there were a few grade C
I think 4 of the clubs that were awarded licences did not qualify based on the criteria set out by SL themselves, it was an absolute shambles
I recall an interview on radio manchester and when asked would he be surprised if Widnes did not get a licence,Ste O'Connor replied he would be 'astonished'.This was about three weeks prior and I was confident we had it in the bag after hearing the owner say that.Unfortunately he must have been a bit naive having had little experience of the game and its governing office.
Can understand both arguments. Ultimately, it would be a waste of time and energy in applying, even if it did gain feedback or show we were ambitious. The best way to show ambition is with results on the pitch.
It's going to be Bradford. Nigel Wood's mitts all over it.
What I am at a lost with, is the qualification process or lack off. SL was introduced with the demands that clubs have new stadiums, academies, community programmes, sustainable businesses models etc.
Has SL convention forgot about these qualities? It would disqualify most applicants. Bradford have 2 real fundamental crowds and academy.
Not saying we are perfect but I’d say we have each of the qualities that should qualify you for a licence.
Unfortunately, the cut-off date for the financial criteria chosen by the RFL strangely means Bradford are ok and we aren’t!
Unfortunately, the cut-off date for the financial criteria chosen by the RFL strangely means Bradford are ok and we aren’t!
Would "Unsurprisingly" be a far more apt opening word to your post?
Spelly.
What I am at a lost with, is the qualification process or lack off. SL was introduced with the demands that clubs have new stadiums, academies, community programmes, sustainable businesses models etc. Has SL convention forgot about these qualities?
The stadium criteria was relaxed a while back.Can't think why.
Can understand both arguments. Ultimately, it would be a waste of time and energy in applying, even if it did gain feedback or show we were ambitious. The best way to show ambition is with results on the pitch. It’s going to be Bradford. Nigel Wood’s mitts all over it.
I'd rather get feedback from a used car salesman.If Bradford get in then that's me done with the game.
Ask any Bradford fan who currently owns the club, they couldn’t bloody tell you. One year in SL, followed by relegation, they will be dead again.
I was on a trip to Rome around two years ago and got talking to a family from Bradford. I asked them what apart from mismanagement at boardroom level went wrong, I was told in a nutshell that that people in the area aren't interested in rugby league anymore. There is probably some truth in that as reason why they decided on a temporary move was because they couldn't afford to play there as the crowds are so low, and I cant see that improving any time soon super league or not. There are so many things wrong with Rugby League a the minute and the administrators seem to be the main problem. It comes to something when most RL fans seem to think that in the name of expansion Toulouse should be given the spot but they want Bradford in, and the only logical reason for that is because of Odsal.
i think many people are under the illusion that that the city of Bradford has 15000 fans just sat, waiting for a successful Bulls in SL as in the days of Bullmania 98/ 2004.I would'nt go as far as to say there is no interest anymore but nowhere near that huge amount. It was a bandwagon that many jumped on and jumped off again.You could see their support tapering off when we were first in SL.One year the away stand was packed out with their fans, the next season half as many.
i think many people are under the illusion that that the city of Bradford has 15000 fans just sat, waiting for a successful Bulls in SL as in the days of Bullmania 98/ 2004.I would’nt go as far as to say there is no interest anymore but nowhere near that huge amount. It was a bandwagon that many jumped on and jumped off again.You could see their support tapering off when we were first in SL.One year the away stand was packed out with their fans, the next season half as many.
Bradford attracting anything less than 10,000 would be indicative of how poor the club has been in capitalising on their huge population. I have said this before but my hypothesis to why expansion doesn’t work is the example Bradford. Large Black/Asian population yet Bradfords supporter base in 95% white.
Jason Robinson made the same point, how can you expect RL to be successful in London when you can’t even convince BAME people to take up the game in the heartlands.
Also post 2008, the bulls attracted around 7,500/8000 fans, there bass isn’t as strong you think.
You can say the same about Luton, Leicester, Wolves, Aston Villa and Birmingham in football.Large Asian populations but support base 95% white.All the London clubs too.You can't force people to be interested in something.We have ice hockey here in Widnes (somewhere) and I am not one iota interested in going along to see a game.