It’s like you or I going for a job interview and we don’t get the job, we have the experience of the actual interview and the feed back on why.
Having a laugh are’nt you ? Feedback from the RFL ? I would’nt take seriously one single word.May as well get feedback from the nearest second hand car dealer. They could tell us anything apart from the true bit – ‘we picked who we wanted’ . We know our own shortcomings anyway without being told what they are
We couldn't have applied successfully anyway because in the detailed criteria it wants access to accounts from 2018/19/20 and no insolvency events since 2018. So in that regard we would have wasted time by applying. I don't know why the club didn't just say that instead of going down the route of it's not our time etc.
As far as the 2020 season goes, we were hit and miss with Sheens, our pack by his admission wasn't strong enough. At least that has been rectified with Cook, Jewitt and Clough.
Does anyone honestly think that our lads will be (hopefully) going onto the field next year NOT trying to win?
I,for one, don't. If we win enough and earn promotion there will be a massive motive to honour it.
Financial stability has tripped our club up too many times in my lifetime and thankfully we have a board that recognises that fact and has the wit to apply the necessary financial discipline. Sitting comfortably behind a computer and risking all isn't the way.
It isn't a computer game that we can cancel and start again, it is reality.
Does anyone honestly think that our lads will be going onto the field next year NOT trying to win?
No.Nobody is saying that, are they ?
If we say that the club doesn't aspire to top the league then we are questioning the player's and the club's desire to win and to achieve promotion. That just isn't the case in my view.
The club recognises its commercial capability atm and that could limit our level of achievement but it doesn't mean that tbe aspiration isn't there.
Not sure anyone is saying the players won't/shouldn't aspire to win the competition are they? Just a few fans giving our opinions that it is unlikely as it stands. Of course they should and no doubt will be aiming to win it.
Not sure anyone is saying the players won’t/shouldn’t aspire to win the competition are they? Just a few fans giving our opinions that it is unlikely as it stands. Of course they should and no doubt will be aiming to win it.
Of course they will, but the Board realise that our weakness in the past has been sustainability. Other clubs, including the Wigan's and Saints' can rely on their backers to make good losses. Lenahan(sic) has rescued Wigan on a couple of occasions recently to the tune of £500,000 a time. We haven't got that back up and maybe never will have, so we need to build up sufficient sensible reserves, coupled with a minimum of unnecessary staff, to enable us to survive 'bad' years.
There will always be a temptation to 'go for broke' and over-reach on the hunch that 'this is our year'. It's a bit like spending your rent money on Lottery tickets - if it comes off you are home and dry, more likely you will be homeless!
I know enough of the personnel on the Board to know that they are genuine supporters and want SL at least as much as we do, but they are working on a business basis, unlike their predecessors. This was clear in Phil Finney's interview.
Sorry for the rant, I realise that some may disagree!!
Disagree.We decided for ourselves that we won’t be in SL next year instead of allowing the panel to tell us we won’t be in SL.There is nothing whatsover to gain by it.
It’s like you or I going for a job interview and we don’t get the job, we have the experience of the actual interview and the feed back on why.
I wouldn't apply for a job im not quite ready for or a job that I don't realistically stand a cat in hells chance of getting. I would tell the boss im interested in such a position but its not for me right now and I want to make sure im good enough to do a position justice in the future. I dont need to apply to let him know my intentions and aspirations.
Carrying on with the anecdote, not sure the boss would take me so seriously and give me a job knowing I cocked up a few years ago with a similar position.
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.
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.