Two Cumbrian teams top of the Championship league. How refreshing. Dare i mention SL "[iexpansion[/i"?

IMO we should already have a Cumbrian team in there

wont happen sadly

Definately should have a Cumbrian team in the Super League. They have put much more into the game than London or South Wales.

where would they play?
would it be an amalgamation of workington, whitehaven and barrow? if so, have you seen the size of cumbria?

Unfortunately due to the geography of the area the only way for a Superleague club to survive would be for Barrow, Whitehaven and Workington to step aside and allow a new Cumbrian club to represent the County. Would that happen?

or for the 3 to act as feeder clubs?
know a lad from whitehaven who has always said he'd rather never get into SL than merge with workington.

They should have a regional team in Super League at a convenient location in a new stadium. The people who won't support it because it's not 'their' town would soon forget that once it's forced upon them.

Not enough to support a single team imo, maybe a combined team.

Haven, Worky and Barrow would stay in the NL's and are new club would be formed...Cumbria Crusaders or whatever.

But then you would have to look at where would the stadium be????

Halfway between Workington and Whitehaven??

Would it be supported well enough? I hope someone is wealthy enough and clever enough to come up with a good plan for the county.

But 50 miles from Barrow

No it wouldn't

[url=http://maps.google.com/maps?daddr=Whitehaven+RLFC+%4054.539734,-3.584375&geocode=&dirflg=&saddr=workington+rlfc&f=d&hl=en&dq=whitehaven+rlfc&sll=9.012768,-108.342809&sspn=138.448194,360&cid=2558143121978746321&ie=UTF8&z=12So , what's Distington like?[/url

You should be an MP.

Should put the stadium near Kendal... convenient location between all 3 towns.

Sadly can't see it happening though.

They tried it and it failed

How about an Aussie-style merger: majority of the games halfway between Workington and Whitehaven, plus two or three a season in Barrow?

Yes, it's very convenient. Only a mere hour and a half drive from Workington.

Who is going to fund this new SL club and build the new stadium ? It would need probably £25m+ to get the venture off the ground and have a new stadium and the other requisite infrastructure in place.

Then there is the question of location. Unfortunately for Barrow, any new team would have to be based in West Cumbria - the road infrastructure between Barrow and WC would put many people off making the journey regularly. The only possible site for a WC stadium is at Lillyhall, on the outskirts of Workington. However, this land is owned by neither Allerdale or Copeland Borough Councils who would be the 2 interested local authorities. The land is in fact owned by Cumbria County Council, who are extremely Carlisle-centric and have shown an unwillingness to invest in the west of the county.

I genuinely believe that Cumbria will never have a team in SL again. Not just for the problems outlined above but also because I don't think the area fits the criteria that the RFL have for their long term vision for the sport.

There isnt the knowledge or money to kickstart a Cumbrian SL venture in Cumbria. All 3 clubs have been, are and will be poorly run in the future. Workington had their 2 or 3 seasons in the sun due to the drive and money put into the club by the late Tom Mitchell. It would take someone in the mould of Tom for Cumbria to regain some pride in top flight RL.

If our youngsters had the same opportunity as those residing in Yorkshire and Lancs with regard to coaching and facilities we could rival the top teams in SL. A bold statement i know, but with the catchment area one team would have of youngsters who play the sport at a high level its not that unrealistic when you actually think about it.

A Cumbria team would have to be based in West Cumbria. Barrow's amateur sides dont even play in the Cumbrian leagues and very rarely even enter the County Cup competitions.

So what do you suggest?

In the US, politicians often sell themselves on having brought a sport to their city or region. Is there any RL-friendly politicians in West Cumbria that fanhcy making a name for themselves by co-ordinating such a scheme?

Workington had one season in Super League and were relegated, very harsh to say it failed. How many chances did Huddersfield get before they were competitive on and off field. There should be a new Cumbrian club with the existing 3 playing in the championship

What do I suggest , about what ?

A team from Cumbria in SL

Well considering that we have a franchise system to enter SL , then none of the clubs in Cumbria are anywhere near being good/big/well supported/rich enough to warrant a place in SL , then we dont have a Cumbrian club in SL

Simple really

The Old "people who are not from Cumbria insisting that Cumbria should be represented in SL despite not knowing anything about Cumbria" one eh?

Derwent and Recre Rebel are about bang on, even if their analysis is slightly west biased



for me as things stand Barrow are in the best position, but I would say that.

I will also say that despite being in the best position they are still a bus ride off being anywhere near SL, Stadium not good enough, town is unfashionable and not exactly a metropolis, Even now Barrow have a well off backer Im not sure he has the clout to make us competetive in SL.

Lets see in Three years time, me I would be happy If all three sides were in the Championship doing well, but we may have to wait a while for that one even

Not what the RFL are looking for I think.

Only after the Kryptonians take over.

As far as I am concerned Barrow is in Lancashire anyway. Which makes the idea of a single Cumberland team for SL much simpler with just Haven and Town to consider.

Michael.