Toulouse's possible Superleague inclusion discussed some years ago required adequate funding and a TV deal. I think the TV deal has legs with a "Derby" but the issue is the funding. When this was discussed at a meeting between SL bosses and TO's Carlos Zalduendo there was nobody like Mr Gausch to bankroll the club, But TO covered this by the following......They said....

1. If Toulouse were in Superleague they would get significant funding from the Maire. Whilst local city and town councils here don't fund their local Professional RL clubs, Mr Zalduendo felt Toulouses mayor would do this as it is more the "done thing" in France.

2. The aerospace industry is apparently massive in Toulouse and again Mr. Zalduendo stated that if TO were in Superleague strong sponsorship would come from there.

On the core following the average gate was 2,290 last year for what was a largely winning season. I find it hard to imagine TO can get any of that major sponsorship for what could be a struggle and then relegation back to the Championship. They would have to stay up to make sponsors sit up and take notice.

Despite this I note Toulouse are overwhelmingly favoured by fans replying to a who do they want poll. I wonder how many of them have assumed Toulouse are "expansion"

. Of course they have been around since the 1930's and my memories of them include then beating Widnes the "cup kings" a game that was on TV, and more recently I watched them play live in Leeds and they were highly entertaining............

Fair enough in isolation mate, but playing at Dewsbury isn't any long term future either. I saw them playing at Valley parade and I thought that was great. I note the idea the pitch is somehow not long enough but that was dispelled by stats from one of our very own fine chaps on here!

I think they averaged about 13,500 at Valley parade over two years... It didn't put the fans off!!

Geoffrey Richmond who provided City with their best years didn't much like the Rugby, but for me it's a no brainer to put Bulls into Valley Parade, If that was permanent then how much would Bradford council stand to gain from the commercial sale of Odsal - at which point I may need to give way to Bulls fans who have the fine detail of what is on and what is not on as regards such moves??

At least we now know the official runners and riders, all of whom have expressed an interest in joining SL

Bradford Bulls, Featherstone Rovers, Halifax, Leigh Centurions, London Broncos, Toulouse Olympique, Widnes Vikings and York City Knights

And we get back to just what it will be that carries most weight when the independent group search for the "right" candidate

The initial "qualifying" criteria was to have previously played in SL or, to have finished in the top 6 of The Championship.
It has to be said that, finishing in the top 6 of the Championship is an appalling reason to be allowed into the top flight. This should have been top 2/3 and/or appeared in a Championship GF and the first part of the criteria seems specifically aimed at Bradford, as every other club has finished in the top 6 of The Championship at some point, although they have of course been in SL previously

It may be an appalling reason, but I am sure that as a man of the world, you think that the Superleague clubs will largely already know who they want?

Isn't it the case you have to ensure you start with who you want and then work backwards to ensure the Criteria fits them better than anyone else??

You say [u"criteria seems specifically aimed at Bradford"[/u. Let's see if your right

Is that the Geoffrey Richmond who also had Scarborough FC and was founder of Scarborough Pirates RLFC?

One of the few posts of yours that I agree with.
One thing that this process wont be is fully "open".
There will be those with most influence already working out just which boxes that will need ticking in order to get their "chosen" club into the comp.
It seems quite ridiculous to call the group deciding this as "independent".
Although they are independent of SL, their hands will be tied so damn tight that this will already be a 2 horse, maybe even a one horse race.

Quote ="Donnyman"Fair enough in isolation mate, but playing at Dewsbury isn't any long term future either. I saw them playing at Valley parade and I thought that was great. I note the idea the pitch is somehow not long enough but that was dispelled by stats from one of our very own fine chaps on here! '" The pitch at Valley Parade is 103 metres by 64 metres so hardly a long pitch and quite narrow. Taking into account the close situation to the stands and the dead ball and run off area required it probably is no longer than 90 metres. https://www.football-stadiums.co.uk/gro ... ey-parade/

Quote ="Donnyman"Fair enough in isolation mate, but playing at Dewsbury isn't any long term future either. I saw them playing at Valley parade and I thought that was great. I note the idea the pitch is somehow not long enough but that was dispelled by stats from one of our very own fine chaps on here! '" The pitch at Valley Parade is 103 metres by 64 metres so hardly a long pitch and quite narrow. Taking into account the close situation to the stands and the dead ball and run off area required it probably is no longer than 90 metres. https://www.football-stadiums.co.uk/gro ... ey-parade/

Quote ="STEVENM1000"The pitch at Valley Parade is 103 metres by 64 metres so hardly a long pitch and quite narrow. Taking into account the close situation to the stands and the dead ball and run off area required it probably is no longer than 90 metres. https://www.football-stadiums.co.uk/gro ... ey-parade/'" Similar to Dewsbury or Cas then ? Even Odsal wasn't a 100 metre playing area, although there was a long run off, albeit mainly up hill.

Quote ="STEVENM1000"The pitch at Valley Parade is 103 metres by 64 metres so hardly a long pitch and quite narrow. Taking into account the close situation to the stands and the dead ball and run off area required it probably is no longer than 90 metres. https://www.football-stadiums.co.uk/gro ... ey-parade/'" Similar to Dewsbury or Cas then ? Even Odsal wasn't a 100 metre playing area, although there was a long run off, albeit mainly up hill.

They were the top dogs when they moved to VP so that wasn't going to put the fans off. The small pitch suited them too. Deacon just kicked penalties from everywhere.

What was the length of the playing area back then ?

No idea. I'd guess at about 80/90.

I remember the 2nd line for 40/20s because the 10m from halfway that they have to mark out wasn't 40m from the line.

Well after checking the RFL rules the official dead ball length is supposed to be a minimum 6 metres.
So on that basis ( if they stuck to the rules) it would be well below 90 metres when you allow for the run off distance as well.

I’d say Toulouse would be my guess for all of this

Leigh have the finances and are signing well, but it’s looking more like a top of the table championship team rather than a team to avoid SL relegation. The Joe Mellor signing says it for me. Great support player but not one for creating chances

10 weeks to prepare.
£700,000-£800-000 less central funding than anyone else.
0 pre season ticket revenue/limited gate money when season starts
Minimum sponsorship revenue available.
I’m guessing whoever the chosen team is would have to put an academy out too ?

Seriously on the back foot from the off. It’s a job chucking millions at doesn’t guarantee survival, especially when you’ve already started to assemble the majority of next years squad.

Widnes may have had a chance with the full funding but definitely not what was on offer.

Best of luck to whoever gets it. Leigh or Toulouse look to be my favourites with I think Toulouse taking it.

Well as a Leyther Tolouse can have it, think both are building decent squads but as you say only top end champ and guaranteed 12th place at the end of next season

The question being of course is will there be promotion at the end of next season or is the drawbridge going up

That’s million pound question mate, literally

If my club were applying I’d be delighted because they’d only do so on financial grounds. It’s clearly too risk

I hope whoever does get chosen, doesn’t throw all of their eggs into one basket fighting off relegation. Finances will be extremely tight next season however some clubs have the safety net of more wealthier backers

Widnes have full ambition to be back in SL and with the squad we’ve assembled I believe we will be in the top 3 next year along with Leigh and another.

Dont think it can be second guessed, I'd say take the super league spot whilst it's going.

I think all the clubs in the running will be a good addition.

Would they balls, let’s not kid ourselves it’s to ensure the full sky funding otherwise they’d run with 11

Not in St Helens they're not, last I looked Leigh running out clear winners on 45% of the total vote *sample size only about 700 granted*.

Clutching at straws there Pat.....Joe Mellor is one of 4 halfbacks. The result no doubt will already have been made but if Leigh still remain in the Championship then I fancy Leighs chances over Widnes for the 2021 season,unless you`ve done another jump up the ladder a la franchising again

Col, Col mate (hope you're well btw) Col! What are you saying? This will be an adjudication by an INDEPENDENT panel of arbitrators: three from SL (Elstone + two flunkies), three from the RFL (Wood, Rimmer + flunky) and a Conservative Peer of The Realm. What could be fairer?



Then again, if they'd included a Labourite, ex RL President, Leigh could've ended up as the proverbial tethered goat.

Fair enough then.

That’s fine, but having watched him for years, however he is integrated in Leigh, he’s just not that creative. More of an individual/solo player

I hope there is healthy competition next season and good for you for fancying you’re chances. Makes for a better season



We haven’t gone out and signed superstars but we have some very good, experiences Pros with us now

Matt Cook, Lee Jewitt, Paul Clough, Logan Tomkins, Matty Smith, Danny Craven, Ste Tyrer and Deon Cross

We’ve relied far too heavily on our youth over the years as we’ve always has a good youth development system. However it’s had a knock on affect to our on the field performances. Excited to see how we go against the Leythers and others

Just a quick add on. Had a quick glance through Leigh’s squad. Some good signings for the championship.

Always liked Matty Russell. Jordan Thompson has been a player I’ve liked to have signed for years.
Liam Hood when FT at Widnes was a beast. Tackled anything and everything, not sure how he’s been back playing PT

Your half backs. Never been a fan of Blake Wallace, not sure what he brings but assume he’ll get a starting spot along side Jamie Ellis ?albeit didn’t he have a couple of games at FB for TWP? Helps with depth.

Is there an official date on the chosen team ? Could go either way but il stick with Toulouse

Regarding our half backs, I'm not excited by them really, but I do hope I'm proved wrong. Definitely not a SL squad we have here. Maybe Degsey already knows we won't be going up, but making a strong challenge for next season in championship to earn promotion.

Yeah, I never used to think so because I think the standard of SL is slipping every year. But the gulf between the top of the championship and bottom end of SL is getting bigger.

You definitely have experience there. Jamie Ellis is a strange one. He never looks fit to me, a little overweight but then he can play a decent game. If one of those half backs can get good early ball to Junior Sau, that would cause a lot of danger.

Well there we go Ste.... so called "Expansionists" are not in the majority after all



With Salford on the verge of a big financial struggle it would make massive sense not to leave "Lancashire" on just three SL clubs. But Bradford are a big prize as well. I don't know mate but as Watson has gone and there appears to be very serious financial difficulties it could be that BOTH Bulls and Leigh would be the best option.

Your man has offered to buy a load of players and has some bought already. His attitude seems to be that he will gladly be promoted now but if not he's happy to do it by winning the championship next year. I think he knows something and is being very helpful to his ex-fellow chairmen....................

Oh thanks for the poll results as well 700 is fine. it maybe beats 70 rabid "expansionists" who would remove the whole of the M62 clubs for a global league.