It would be interesting to see the proof of that - clearly you wouldn't come on here and post something that was a rumour - and must have concrete evidence. if you are right, then the RFL is wrong. I look forward to seeing your evidence.

You'll be a bit young to remember Mansfield Marksmen then...

WHAT WAS THE LAST ATTENDANCE AT THE HJ FOR A SL GAME BETWEEN WIDNES COMPARED TO QUINNS? in the same season ?

We will see how long Leigh stay in business now that they have failed ,I would guess it was a massive gamble building that stadium and seeing as the football team were relegated as well it doesn't look good for Leigh,but I hope I am wrong

So you are trying to convince me that Salford would have survived if they had failed in their application ? I doubt it! the new stadium debts would have crippled them .

I can see the advert attempting to introduce SL to them now -

[i2 young lads holding the skipping rope for some young girl. Then you just see the back of a bald head approach them. Turns out to be Stevo with a Steeden Rugby L ball in his hand. The kids drop the rope, snatch the ball and run off onto the field and the girl falls over.

The end.[/i

imagine if they lose 5 games on the bounce though

Not enough burger vans probs.

Now maybe the time to back your oft-stated opinion with a few cold hard facts Padders - perhaps reading the RFL Judgement will help you provide this evidence?

[urlhttp://www.therfl.co.uk/home/news_item_top.php?id=11209[/url

I`m fairly certain it was Eddie who mentioned it on the last edition of boots n all, he was saying that you would think its now or never for south Wales as the backer of the Crusaders has threatened to pull the plug on the financing if they don`t get a franchise this time round.

Jees bro. You had a drink this afternoon? Thats like the 3rd time you've posted the same response.

There is nothing in that statement that would say to me that Celtic are a better option than Leigh or Widnes other than the fact that the RFL want a team in Wales.
Who will be the next team to lose out for the sake of selling a few sky dishes when they decide to get another team in France or Scotland or the Midlands even . Would you be happy if it was Warrington that lost out ?

The move of millenium magic is pretty much because they've raised the profile of rugby league in Wales and i'm sure they knew Celtic were nailed on for a licence so have decided to spread the game elsewhere. Also the robbing Cardiff bar stewards and Hotel owners have shot themselves in the foot.

I said months ago, it was part of a master plan, everyone has the mentality now of going to South Wales on the ale for a weekend, as soon as MM took off they moved the venue but gave you another reason to go back down wales. They have cleverly cultured everyone to think that a Welsh trip is the norm now.

I wouldn't be surprised if Edinburgh starts to put a team together

I'll bet you 2/1 Padders will still go to Bridgend next season for our away game with the Crusaders, despite all the complaining that the RFL is corrupt.

Actually, that's quite a libellous statement. I wonder if anyone from the RFL is reading this...........

Oh I love it when idiots shoot themselves in the foot.

Widnes 29/03/2005 attendance 10,061

London 17/07/2005 attendance 10,146

oops.

Am i right in thinking you are a taxi driver? How about using a minibus and charging to take people to the games? That way you get to see the game and are still working. Although saying that i beleive there may be issues licence wise but even if there is you could always go to the game and work afterwards which i imagine would benefit you money wise as there is always call for taxi's on a Fri and Sat night.

I was somewhat disappointed with the decision by the RFL to give a franchise to Celtic at the expense of Widnes and the other clubs but on reflection...........

I was dead against "Summer rugby"............. I now hold my hands up and think it was a fantastic move.

I thought the idea of the introduction of "A Froggy" team was a ludicrous backwards step..............The visit to France is now the highlight of my year.

I thought Millennium Magic was a white elephant!...........It wasn't!

The RFL have taken much critisism today and I have sympathy for those clubs who have missed out. However in view of my previous errors of judgement I'm gonna hold my hands up and say ok RFL I'll go with this............... and I'm looking forward to it!!

Yes.... Pretty sure Mansfield have a team though: Mansfield Storm they are now i think.

10,061 is quite a good crowd really considering it was a Tuesday night and it was on Sky.

Here comes another PY/ISTBI debate

....

Anyway, just pointing it out as it is relative. Though PadWire does border on idiot territory, can't disagree with you there.

Try reading the statement properly then & you will see why Widnes & Leigh were felt not yet ready. For what it's worth, my own belief is that it was between those two teams & Salford for who got the franchise alongside Celtic who with their location provide far better opportunities to expand & strengthen SL/RL than any of the M62 applicants.

I have said I will watch Warrington in SL, in a pan-European SL, in a World SL or in National Leagues/Conferance. Yes I want my club to be at the top table & no I wouldn't be happy if we weren't, but they are my club regardless of their league. We are about 5 years ahead of Widnes/Leigh in our off the field situation for being in own stadium/financially viable/community programmes etc & for those reasons we are into the next generation of SL 3 years ahead of those two.

I have no doubt that the next issue of franchises will see Leigh, Widnes & Halifax providing stronger applications than this time around - maybe Bradford, HKR, Wakey, Cas will be the teams on edge next time round?

Still waiting on your proof of corruption - or are you going to forward that evidence onto the police for investigation?

Ah well thanks for all the messages from some of the wire folk but it wasnt to be.

Bearing in mind neither Salford nor Leigh are picking up the tabs for building their respective stadiums. They may have to chip-in for the fit-out element of the stadiums, which, I would imagine, is comfortably offset against the maintenance costs of The Willows and Hilton Park respectively.

Leigh have survived, comfortably, being outside SL, having visited only once in eleven years.

Don't lose sight of the fact it is only three years. Twelve months ago, it was debatable whether Widnes Vikings would exist, full stop.