[urlhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15373633.stm[/url

Very interesting potentially this, I have worked around the midlands a lot, Leicester, Wellingborogh and Northampton and this could be very significant if a proposal is put forward. This is potentially 'proper' development, a sporting club looking at their seasons and a business plan and potentially looking at organic growth and strategic development, in my opinion much more sustainable than forced development.

It's also very interesting in that this strikes at the heartland of the 15 man game, so the talent pool of players is huge in this part of the world and culturally (sporting culture) the presence of a SuperLeague team in years to come in the same place and potentially with common fans and players from one of the most successful Rugby Union clubs, if done well, could be a huge coup.
If this happens I would definitely try and attend some games and looking at the marketing options, the prospect of offering dual code or multi-sport season tickets could make these games well attended..... If you could buy a cobblers or a saints season ticket and get RL concessions too - the catchment could be massive.

I hope it happens, a midlands footprint would be a huge boost, especially when we know the cost of watching football is getting prohibitive, the product offering has to be right of course.

Quite interesting article that is.

The way their chairman is talking soungs like a good idea - give it a go at the lower levels and if it proves succesful and there's an appetite for it from spectators down there they can build to becoming a Superleague side in a few years time.

As the OP said, much more sensible than the 'forced' expansion that has been tried and failed on more than one occasion recently.

I agree Cecil, I would like to think Richard Lewis is on a train to Northampton as we speak, or has been to try and smooth the way and make it as easy as possible for them to apply to gain entry to the competition and advise.

I am not suggesting they be prefferentially treated, but supported and assisted..... Strategically it could be a very wise decision.

Sounds like a load of cobblers to me.

Geddit? Northampton? Cobblers? Oh, never mind then.

I think really need to be shifting the game south especially into Union areas.

Northampton
Oxford
Bristol (with the World Cup potentiall being there)
Coventry

would be more four to be promoted.

The union fans would not have far to migrate. The grounds are a 15 min walk apart.

And it is happening, great news personally - big window from April time when there is no Rugby Union and a few weeks off the footy too.

happy with this: [urlhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/15985725.stm[/url

As previously reported wakefieldwildcats.co.uk/news/wil ... n/2011/12/

As previously reported wakefieldwildcats.co.uk/news/wil ... n/2011/12/

It seems to be a more sensible approach to development from the RFL, let's hope they don't get a impulse to fast track any of them, and stick to generic development, perhaps then they won't be a burden on the rest of the game like some of their predecessors.

They seem to have kicked South Yorkshire into touch, not giving them one world cup game, after a decent turn out for the odd international and challenge cup semi final.