So glad this thread seems to be back on topic!



I for one would be very sad to lose Wakey from SL. They have more than earned their place over the years, sometimes playing under immensely tragic circumstances and always capable of mixing it with the big boys. Like us they have never been relegated and never finished bottom (as far as I'm aware). From what I've seen they ain't finishing bottom this year either.

Yet they might well find themselves out of SL next year and if that happens then it is a damn shame. But... (and some may need to sit down to hear this) it will not be the fault of Quins RL, or even the Crusaders! If fans feel angry at whatever decision the RFL make direct it at the RFL not us, please. The RFL have a plan for growing the game and being able to increase TV revenue in the process. This plan involves having teams from outside the heartlands of the game whose role is a dual one of playing in SL and expanding the RL fan base across the country. This has had mixed success but Wakefield cannot fulfil this role so it has to be the expansion sides. We are not therefore the reason for Wakey losing their place. True, if we folded now Wakey would probably have a place in SL next year, but that would also be true if any of the other 12 sides folded as well! Please stop making us a scape goat. We have a different role to play than Wakey, we are a different category of team as we are in an expansion area. So yes we will be judged by different rules come licence application time and if we ever fail in an application it will almost certainly be to be replaced by another expansion team, not Wakey. The RFL have their system and if there are issues with it let them know, don't take it out on fans of other clubs.

Now to return to the topic... what the f**k has happened to our defence???

You know what they say : you can take the boy out of Wakefield, but you can't take the enormous knob off his head.

Change the record. Quins have no more concessions than any other team. They have a smaller budget than wakefield. They have far more obstacles to their success than Wakefield, and yet they're doing better on the field and off the field. I'd be looking to your own greenhouse before you start throwing stones.

Danny Brough, Ben Westwood to name 2, and 2 of the best players in SL at the moment I would say as well!

I agree that we do, but it is in the complete wrong position. They get no fans and to be honest they will struggle to grow. They are based in what is possibly the biggest Rugby Onion stronghold in the world.

I live on the south coast now, just an hour out of London, but it would take me 3 hours to get there by train which is not good enough. Where I live there is a good Union presence but no where near the strength that there is just North of London. I think for a London RL team to work it has to be in South London, as another point is that where I live the nearest big Football team is Brighton who play league one and in the other direction its Gillingham who nobody is interested in watching, and as such I think around the South East corner there is a hunger to fulfill with professional sport.

Aaron Murphy, Dale Ferguson, Jay Pitts ... to name another 3 off the top of my head.

oh, I have no axe to grind with Harlequins at all by the way.

So Quins are spending less than GBP 800k then? I have no axe to grind with Quins but how are they doing better than us off the field ? We have a leading community programme, reasonable youth development, bigger crowds and revenue streams than Quins.

Oh and were it not for the 4 point deduction for the failings of our previous management, we would only be 2 points behind them in the league as well. so hardly that much better than us on the field either.

Please tell me honestly if all criteria (and not just expansion) were taken into account why you think Quins and Crusaders would have a better franchise application than us.

Excellent post! Whilst i will be gutted if we get the boot i know that without expansion,the game i love will never get the recognition it deserves. As for your defence,it's off with the fairies!

Darryl Griffin, Josh Griffin, Mattie Wildie, Steve Snitch, Keith Mason, Matt Blaymire, Aaron Murphy, Dale Morton, James Davey, Ryan Atkins, Luke George, Dale Ferguson, Jay Pitts, Gareth Ellis, Ben Westwood, Danny Brough, Kyle Bibb......

There's a raft of other young players ready to step up at Wakefield some of which have already played at SL level but not regularly yet.

Russ Spiers, Kyle Trout, Ben Gledhill, Chris Anakin, and the likes of Cain Southernwood at Bradford, Kyle Wood at Huddersfield

Make that 3......

3. Phipps blowing dudes

it was tried to a certain extent at charlton. they put good roots down, and i believe schools in the area are still playing. the valley was just far too big, but i thought it was a shame when they left there as they just didn't give it the time. perhaps a place on the coast could be the answer. a day out at the seaside may wet peoples appetites

With the new Brighton ground opening, it would be a great time for the team to relocate there, it could be sold as the UK based equivalent of the Catalans trips, which for anyone who has been before can say, a trip to the warm sun to watch RL by the sea cannot be beat.

You sarcastic individual

You would love Brighton and leave a very happy individual

With an in-ability to sit down!

I am not joking by any means, why would it be any worse that Quins which is in the of the biggest RU foothold, which is no where near as strong down here! Brand new stadium, good links with the football club, and nice sunny British weather!

Started his Super League career at London Broncos I believe

Because if they weren't you and the rest of the membership of the 'Flat Earth Society' would have to find something else to moan about.

Is it not true that the majority of Super League clubs agree that the competition should have 2-3 non heartland clubs?

It's probably more true that SL clubs don't care who's in SL as long as they are.

Ooh, get you...

Wrong....as the vote in 2005 showed. What is most important to SL chairmen is the SKY TV money.......

That would be the second vote then, apparently the first vote they took was just a 'practice'

Witty reply Curt but very relevant for Phipps/Bazza et al.

And what precisely are you alleging?

You do take a decent photo of the other half