I can’t see how Featherstone can get in with the size of their postage stamp ground and I would imagine they only average crowds of 2-2,500.
The ground has a current capacity of 7,000 that could probably be extended further if necessary following the magnificnet efforts of the "stand gang" to dismantle, transport and build two stands from Scarborough AFC. Not sure what the reference to a postage stamp comes from, the pitch has been significantly extended in recent years and the ground is generally felt to outclass those of local rivals Wakefield and Castleford, not that that's difficult!
The Bradford whispers were probably started by Bradford fans.Absolutely no chance, it would kick up a shitstorm if they or any 'traditional' club were to get the 12th spot to replace an expansion club.
Think I have said it before any new club going into SL 2021 with the T and Cs as they seem to be is bonkers.
Get some common all clubs.....don`t apply !!!!
If the championship clubs got together and agreed not to apply then the SL would just say OK fair enough, we'll run with 11 clubs and keep the money.And no more promotion/ relegation.
The Bradford whispers were probably started by Bradford fans.Absolutely no chance, it would kick up a shitstorm if they or any ‘traditional’ club were to get the 12th spot to replace an expansion club.
As much as I hated Toronto they gained SL status like any other club, not for expansion reasons which means any club can take there place. Madness the terms that are offered to replace them but we should apply just to show our intent.
We don't qualify under the financial history rule however!
I don’t know if you’ve been to Featherstone recently Lord Lucan, but I went last season, were it started pouring down about half an hour before kick off, and the only place to go that was undercover in this top Yorkshire ground, was in between the rabid Featherstone fans, who looked and sounded like they were after blood. So the only option for Widnes fans was to stand behind the posts in the open and get drenched. I wouldn’t call that a good ground, that deserves to be in SL. It’s more like going back to the 70’s and 80’s. The ground, even though it’s a bit bigger than it used to be, still has a big slope on it, hardly SL standard.
We don’t qualify under the financial history rule however!
Never seen this do you have a link ? How the hell are Bradford still in the running.
Simples ... The RFL selected the criteria/date to ensure that Bradford wouldn’t be eliminated.
I don’t know if you’ve been to Featherstone recently Lord Lucan, but I went last season, were it started pouring down about half an hour before kick off, and the only place to go that was undercover in this top Yorkshire ground, was in between the rabid Featherstone fans, who looked and sounded like they were after blood. So the only option for Widnes fans was to stand behind the posts in the open and get drenched. I wouldn’t call that a good ground, that deserves to be in SL. It’s more like going back to the 70’s and 80’s. The ground, even though it’s a bit bigger than it used to be, still has a big slope on it, hardly SL standard.
I think he is a fev fan so he’ll be there every other week haha
We don’t qualify under the financial history rule however!
Never seen this do you have a link ? How the hell are Bradford still in the running.
It's on the RFL website Mick and the link opens up a long, boring document.No insolvency issues since Jan 2018.Bradford went tits up before that date.
Simples … The RFL selected the criteria/date to ensure that Bradford wouldn’t be eliminated.
It is looking more like Bradford are being shoed into the 12th spot with a criteria that clearly ensured their inclusion. Is it a coincidence that the club went into liquidation in 2017 and the criteria refers to financial problems from 2018?
Have they forgotten that Bradford moved away from Odsal in 2019, because they could not afford the £450,000 a year rent payable to the RFL who bought the lease to Odsal in 2012. Perhaps the RFL see the selection of Bradford as an opportunity to start getting some rent for the Odsal Stadium white elephant; or will the business plan include a rent free period on entry to the SL; and who will pay to upgrade the stadium to modern standards.
There is a bad smell already coming from this selection process. Only in RL!!
Surely if they wanted to tailor the criteria to suit Bradford as their preference then there would also be no relegation next year as well because they will be going straight back down ? Hardly worth it for one season.No conspiracy, I still say Toulouse or London.
We don’t qualify under the financial history rule however!
Never seen this do you have a link ? How the hell are Bradford still in the running.
The document that sets out the rules on this application does NOT prohibit a club that has had an insolvency since Jan 2018. There are three 'initial criteria' that decide whether you can apply for this 12th place, and insolvency / financial issues irregularities is not one of them.
Finance is just one of the many different stated areas that the panel will assess as part of the decision process, and they will look at companies house history, and wider issues (Mr Rule's role / track record anyone?). It does not mean we 'dont qualify' in any way, shape or form.
Just to add to that, we bring a lot more than most of the other applying clubs in terms of current finances, attendances, fan base, away fan travel, social media performance and participation, member database size, profile, history in SL etc - all of which are assessment areas.
We are by no means going to be dismissed out of hand in this process, assuming we have applied.
From being included in press articles as those 'being considered' we suddenly didn't appear. No explanation.
Looks like a pretty disrespectful offer tbh, short changed and likely to be relegated.
There maybe some of the allocated funds that could be pocketed but making a real effort could also result in existing funds being spent to go FT etc, before we are ready.
Brian McDermot's accusation of a duel being fought in the RFL/SL cabal has more than a grain of truth in it I reckon. They won't be bothered about any Championship club suffering so long as their salaries hold good!