I think the bigger picture is being missed here.

Newport is easier to get to from the South West (where a lot of Crusaders fans travel from), a 10000 capacity stadium with better facilities and a regeneration project in motion.

I also believe that David Watkins is involved With Newport Gwent Dragons RU...not bad for a patron of Welsh Rugby League.

Very positive move if it goes through.

You are right in thinking David Watkins is involved with NGD.

Crusaders have also said they are helping a lot in staging the Leeds game and want Crusaders playing out of Rodney Parade.

Then WHY the bleedin' heck would you first pitch for a SL license playing out of Bridgend?! For me, the whole thing suggests that Bridgend was something of a punt, as opposed to a calculated strategy and that is not what was promised by the powers that be, when they carted out all that crap about the licensing process being thorough.

Correct. Although, I honestly meant no disrespect to Quins fans. If anything I have sympathy, since what I was getting at was the fact that over the course of 10-15 years, if not more, the club has undergone numerous awkward rebranding exercises, management changes and relocations, and whilst there have been highs and lows, the biggest problem down at the Stoop is a lack of bums on seats. That's no coincidence.

The short-sitedness, as I see it, of some of the folk to have held the reigns at the Stoop/the Valley/Griffin Park (have I forgot one?) over the last couple of decades has at times baffled me. How do you establish a club, a strong fan base, a community of local businesses to support and fund your grassroots work, and a meaningful, productive youth player development programme, when you keep picking everything up and dropping it somewhere 15, 20, 30 miles down the road?

Regarding that last point, about youth development, I actually think Phil Jones and his development team at Quins have done some amazing work and are clearly making strides in the capital, but given what they've been up against, how successful might they have been had they just stayed in one place?

having read that the rfl are helping crusaders find new sponsors etc etc, why aren't they helping doncaster? or does rugby not exist outside of super league........................................

do you have proof that the RFL are doing nothing to help DoncasteR?

What did they do to help Rochdale ?

Presumably those CCJs referred to in League Express this week are the fault of the flat-cappers too?

Are we talking about Widnes again, just with the CCJ thing?

Did Rochdale ask for help? Or Doncaster?

Maybe they didnt and Celtic did, hence they get the help. Or maybe its a case of lesson learned and now the RFL will send help early on?

IIRC haven't the RFL come out and said that Celtic are one of a number of clubs they are currently working with both inside and outside SL?

As far as i'm aware of, Doncaster and Rochdales money problems where as much documented about than celtics where and no help was produced.

Celtic will get bailed out no matter what i think but i do think in a couple of years if they continue how they are now theres only a certain number of goal posts the rfl can move.

Yes I read that, but of course it will probably be up to the clubs to decide what if anything they announce about support they are receiving, and the support that helps one club may not help another each case needs to be taken on an individual basis imo.

what could they have done? apart from giving financial assistance, which they havent done for Celtic.

As far as I am aware, at no point today has anyone from either Doncaster or Rochdale hoppped on one leg while whistling Dizzee Rascal's "Bonkers".

See, I can make unfounded statements based on no knowledge whatsoever too.

you also forgot to mention oldham, swinton and york....................

and no doubt dickie lewis will issue another threat to quit if he doesn't get his way!!

there is an answer to all your problems give ocean finance a call.

I for one do not understand why the RFL have now come out and said that bridgend is not in the right catchment area for rugby league? Surely all the other Super League clubs in close proximity to South Wales will have something to say about that.

Yes they have but don't spoil a one sided argument like some on here like.

Celtic Crusaders = Bad, Heartland clubs = Good.

Not true, close, but not true. People object to Crooksaders lies and and the RFL and Dick Head Lewis falling over himself to get you lot in. The spiel about each application being judged equally and fairly etc. Even the most biased Crooksaders fan can't believe that they actually deserved to be "given" their place now. I mean, what in your application have you ACTUALLY followed through with?

From the sounds of this post you have details of the Crusaders license application, as well as those clubs that didn't get in. Would you care to share these with us?

I think you'll find they were all quite public, about this time last year if I recall?

Can't agree with ya, sorry. Sure, there's more than a few folk who are just plain fed up with The RFL's efforts to expand (and frankly, who can bloody blame em!) Granted, there are also a handful who just don't want to see us expand at all.

You're confusing them with all the people - like me - who are all for expansion, but want to see it done properly, fairly and just for bloody once, somewhat successfully!

Celtic Crusaders (as it stands) = Not a very well thought through plan that sooner or later will end up costing the 'orrible heartland clubs a big woj to bail out

the more you post, the more you sound like a complete idiot........

I believe they earned it based on their standing [iat the time the applications were submitted. [/i

What club had a better application, and why?