I'm not sure anyone deserves to be kicked out. They are all solvent (well Crusaders just), they are all drawing reasonable crowds (leaving protected species Quins aside) and they are competitive. What's the problem?

If they want to bring in another team they should only do it when the SL is ready to expand, the game can sustain it and the admitted team is shown to add to TV money or add something new to the comp.

SL will not expand as the clubs have voted (including Cas, Wakey and Salford) to keep the numbers at 14. Cynics say that is the clubs voting for their own self-interest making sure that they keep more of the SKY money to themselves, others will say it keep the competition at a higher standard - quality not quantity. I've not noticed a higher standard competition if the yard-stick to measure it by is international success. We are as far behind the Aussies and New Zealand as ever. Hullkr Forever is right - promotion and relegation on merit is the fairest way, but as the RFL will never allow London, Catalans or Crusaders to leave the top flight, this will never come about. If one of those three finished bottom, either no-one would get promoted or a team above them would go down. Common sense and the integrity of the competition sacrificed on the altar of 'expansion at all costs!'

One day, the penny will drop that the ONLY thing that matters is the game on the field and everything else is secondary.

FWIW NO current SL club should be "demoted" in this round and I doubt if they will.

The RFL/SL shot themselves in the foot by saying a "championship" club would be given a franchise in this next round.

There is not one club in the championship at present who are anywhere near good enough for SL. If there were, the club would have all the right "infrastucture" in place and would be ready with a team that would make a fist of it.

Sadly there is not one team who has done that, although loads of "ifs", "buts" and "deserveds" have been forthcoming without any actual factual positive substance supporting the statements/comments, just a load of supposition.

However this being RL, it's odds on that a crazy decision will again be made and a little further down the line all the old arguments/discussions will appear AGAIN!!!

its a two horse race between cas and wakefield,at this moment in time had say we "cas" are a bit infront of wakey in most aspects,better squad,closer to getting a new ground, financially secure,better youth system and slightly better attendences.

but its a long time until the decision is made and the final say will all come down to the two clubs progress regards stadia at the time of franchise.

I dont see how. Widnes have a top class stadium, fanbase and business plan. Wakey have none of these and would only have themselves to blame. The RFL pushing franchises has led to a much stronger set of elite clubs than we would otherwise have had.

has it?. i thought it had more to do with the £1.2 million off sky every year.

Wakey - Got no chance of a license.

Maybe if they wake up to them selves they might have a chance.

Should be Wakey and Salford out

Widnes and Toulouse in

toulouse have no chance off a franchise this time round. If they continue to build and there results in championship improve then they may be in a position to apply in 2015 at best.

Shove them in now , what exactly are they achieving playing in the Championship ?

Nothing. which is exactly why they arent ready. until they achieve a reasonable level off competitivness on the field they shouldn't be brought into SL just because of their geographical location.

Which applies to ALL the current championshp clubs!!!

It's gotta be Wakefield for me. Although, Castleford are at serious risk too.

Salford, Crusaders and Catalans are safe IMHO. Salford have thier new stadium being built, and are starting to build a decent looking team, Cru's and Catalans are expansion area's and the RFL won't chuck one of them out with the "progress" being made in those area's.

Toss a coin Mr Lewis, Wakefield Heads, Castlefors Tails!

Not really, widnes and fax are both at a similar level to some of the bottom SL clubs

Wakefield must be red hot favourites, probably the worst ground in SL. Very poor recruitment for next year, even their coach has said the situation is hampering recruitment.

CEO has entered a CVA, Wakefield have had problems paying their tax bill twice, and are have to scrounge a ground for the 2012 season. Playing at other grounds away from Wakey will hit the attendances and revenue when they can least afford it.

They have been dealt a severe blow with their outline planning application being called in for review, could easily take months and months even before they get an answer. Then they have to go through the whole planning application process.

I remember Belle Vue when it had the kop at the far end, it was knocked down and never replaced, it is so sad that a club has been allowed to be let to be so run down to its present state. The support has dwindled, hopefully the fans who are left will stick by them.

Maybe a spell in NL 1 would be the best course, allow them to rebuild, and hopefully they will have a clearer picture of where they will be playing.

Really!!!!

In what way?

=#0000FFCertainally not playing wise!!!

Not sure ground wise!

=#BF0000Deffo not financially!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Then why not Wakey and Castleford out, Widnes and Fax out?

On another note. 2012 Sky Team new recruit. www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEqQyHs0WJ8

On another note. 2012 Sky Team new recruit. www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEqQyHs0WJ8

would need 80/90 % of that squad changing to be anywhere near competitive in SL

So what exactly are Toulouse achieving in the Championship if becoming competitive in it is of no benifit anyway ?

www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague ... field.html bump

www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague ... field.html bump

amen to that

Shouldn't this thread be locked now? We (Wakey) were favourites before the latest cash call. The clubs latest announcement makes us a shoe-in I would say

well if it wasnt for gateshead thunder you wouldnt be here but there you go hopefully the allams buy the kc and you get booted from the kc and have to come begging to us