A journalist friend of mine has sent me a message to say that some papers are running a story tomorrow claiming that the RFL will postpone the new round of franchises until 2015. They will put this down to the economic climate as it has been difficult for clubs to build new stadiums. However, the real reason is that they are fearful that the 'relegated' club might be successful in legal action should Crusaders remain on Super League at their expense.
Featherstone and Batley have withdrawn their intentions to apply having being told the news (and possibly offered incentives), whilst other clubs are currently seeking legal advise.
Widnes have been approached with the possibility of merging with Crusaders (Widnes Crusaders) with most games played at Widnes, but a proportion taking place in Wales.
Interesting.

heard this rumour too myself today, but cant see the merger with Widnes going down to well, lets just stop messing about and wasting time on expansion that wont work ever and just put Widnes straight in, common sense will never prevail at RFL HQ

i've just read something about this on the wakey MB.
it doesn't matter if its true or false its just such a funny story.

I would imagine that Widnes might be interested, certainly if it is their opportunity to get into SL which won't come up again till 2015. They will get the vast majority of games at home next year and probably all of them the year after once attendances there are so much higher, it will be a matter of time before they can revert back to 'Vikings' and Crusaders will be a distant memory, a la Gateshead.

This sounds so much like a windup, it could actually be true

WTF?

The RFL move the goalposts so many times nothing should surprise me, but what the hell are they thinking.

I actually think that the RFL may all be secret Rugby Union agents, trying to make our game as big a laughing stock as possible

It`ll be a WUM.

Apparently not a wind-up, would suit all parties to accept this.

You'll fit right in on these boards with that type of conspiracy theorising....

You are aware they have done this before arn't you?
Infact they have done it twice in recent years!

I personally think that Fax should be going to SL and not Wignes. The story that they had an under the table nod that they would be in stinks. Plus they have only won the NRC. I know Leigh haven't won a thing but I don't think we should be in either. Not yet anyway. If this does happen then I think that the team that consistantly gets to finals and wins them should be going up not a team that is languishing mid table knowing they already have the nod.

The RFL are a disgrace. Widnes need to be in SL ASAP, and Crusaders removed. That's the only way we can grow the game and compete with other sports in the UK.

Not so much under the table really. Haven't they attended several SL meetings already?

Now is that a windup too?

Crudnes Vikings.

Yeah - I can see that.

Nah ........"Wrexnes OMG where`s Dalton gone ViWarriors".

Why? What on earth have Crusaders done that Widnes haven't?

What they should do is expand the franchise applications to anyone with money.

Imagine Steve O'Connor agreeing to that?

DL:
"Hey Steve - we'll let you into Super League only if you align yourself with this crap club in Wales - even though you're nailed on for a place anyway. Just stick with it for 12 months until the stain washes off and you revert back to Widnes in name and everything else. Here's the sample pack of our past expertise in this area. The one entitled Shuddersfield is the one we'd recommend"

SOC:
"Whatever you say Dickie". When do we get our first SL cheque? We've got a squad to buy"

1. Employed players illegally.
2. Taken pension payments from players but not paid them into a pension scheme.
3. Gone into administration whilst in Super Dooper League.

But they wouldn't be nailed on for a place - in fact the opportunity to apply would not present itself until 2015.

They don't have the tradition and history. They are an experiment and we shouldn't think of them in the same way as proper genuine RL clubs, they aren't a genuine club. Nobody likes them.

Wether we like them or not is not the question , are they a ' proper genuine RL club ' ? , no actually no they are not , they havent been around long enough yet , although they are getting there , constantly cocking up financially is a start , employing loads of Aussies is another plus point for them

Somewhere, a few months back, you'll find a post where I suggested we'd see Widnes being "encouraged" to "merge" with Crusaders to become something like Widnes Celtic Crusaders, Playing the majority of their home games at Widnes but a sizeable minority at Wrexham (conveniently giving their pitch a rest given Saints will be hammering it too...) Then of course for 2012 the club plays all its home games at Widnes, changes its name to Widnes Vikings (or even Widnes Crusaders - just a change of helmet...

) and of course passes the Licence test as an existing SL club ticking all the boxes.

And I cited Gateshull and Shuddersfield in evidence.

And I said of course, since that way a club HAS been promoted, there is no need to sack off Wakey or Cas.

Then promise Fax they can "merge" with someone before 2015...

You couldn't make it up.

Yeah lets condemn the RFL for having a bit of vision and having a punt. Hardlyquins don't have a history either, shall we get rid of them for another flat capper side?

We could then reject the Sky deal and call it the 'M62 League'.



Genius.

Widnes in SL = Yet another run of the mill side. Yet another team with 4-5,000 crowds and no future.

The sport is at a crucial stage. It's too small time to not be swallowed up by sports with more money and ambition. Give Union another 10 years and it's club crowds will match Premier League crowds. League will be attracting 6,000 averages and be as dull as ever.

All this rubbish from someone with an Italy RL avatar. They don't have a history and aren't within a few miles of the M62. What gives?

:1za1lj6h


And everything is well with the world