Is this been broadcast live on Tv or radio If so where ?

skysports news 11am

Live now


Crusaders out to make way for Widnes.

Wow shocked

That one's come totally out of the blue

Egg on faces all round, I think

It's made the RFL's expansion policy look a bit silly
The Cru's look a bit silly (I don't think the illegal players fiasco has helped them, tho)
The whole Cas/Wakey ground issue, which has made the sport look daft.

I feel a little sorry for the Cru's fans who have made a go of it, supporting a brand new team, and expecting to see top quality SL action every other week, then next season, they'll be getting Featherstone etc, from then on.

Apologies for any offence to other teams mentioned.

Widnes didn't get in last time because of Crusaders (wrongly)
Now when Crusaders go Halifax don't get in (wrongly)
Don't get it!

It says they withdrew their application on BBC. news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_l ... 189659.stm

It says they withdrew their application on BBC. news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_l ... 189659.stm

Keith Senior will be signing on at this rate

All this makes the R.F.L. look very silly.

The Welsh experiment failed again despite bending over backwards to keep it going.

The Halifax chairman on Sky Sports absolutely blazing.

Would not be surprised to see some form of legal challenge from Fax.

If i were the Halifax chairman i'd be furious, i'm glad for the Wakey fans but the only reason they got a new licence is because the Crusaders asked for their application to be withdrawn.

So if the Crusaders pulled out of the franchise application then surely their should be 2 places up for grabs as i don't see how Wakefield would meet the criteria for a new franchise, their is no way that they will be in a new stadium by 2012 which was one criteria and their current ground doesn't meet the franchise requirements, they have been into administration, the crowds they get are fairly poor.

When you compare that to Halifax, they have kept their nose clean for quite a while now, their stadium looks like its upto SL standard and its coming along nicely, they won the championship grand final plus they seem to get decent enough crowds considering they are in the championship.

Baffling, obviously were not privy to the Wakefield franchise application but their is now way that they will be in a new ground by next season plus the crowds will more than likley remain the same.

To be fair Rob, Wakey have made proposals to cover most of the ground and input more seating at Belle Vue as a temporary measure, so although not "Premier standard" it will meet most criteria in terms of capacity, etc for an "SL" standard ground.
This only needs to be in place by the start of the 2012 season, which as it's only temporary I can't see why they won't be able to do this.
On the other hand, average attendance is extremely poor and the finance side obviously fails due to almost going bust.

Halifax's problem last time was due to The Shay which has now been solved. I dont know about their youth development but without the monetary advantages of SL, they surely can't be asked to match SL teams on this directly?

I would love to know the reason how Wakey statisfy the criteria better than Halifax do...

We didnt get an A grade license? 4 teams did we was not one of them.

What was our average crowds over the last 3 years? (08-10) I'm sure it was more than 9K each year but can anyone confirm?
Apart from that we meet all the other criteria 100%. (Banking on our turnover being more than £4m which if not I'll eat my hat)

YES WE DID

www.therfl.co.uk/news/article/23 ... es-awarded Explains the RFL's decisions One of the A grade licences have gone to Wigan I imagine a few of their posters will be slightly tumescent at this news.

www.therfl.co.uk/news/article/23 ... es-awarded Explains the RFL's decisions One of the A grade licences have gone to Wigan I imagine a few of their posters will be slightly tumescent at this news.

Why didn't somebody just ask that Euromillions couple did they fancy a go?

That's what I'd have done had I won £161 Million, bought Saints and just ran them into the ground. When someone would have said "Sir, do you think it's wise having Warren Stevens at prop, he's not really a Saints first teamer .." I'd have fired them for questioning me.

After 3 years of systematically ruining the club, I'd sell the club for £1 but ensuring I sold it to some puddled bloke from Clockface who'd also have no idea.

I'd also have made replica jerseys £199.99, served beer at the stadium warm and only in Ken Barlow 'halves' and I'd have given the head coaches role to Sean McRae on the basis the tache returned.

You forgot to mention the day-glo pink and yellow kit.

i thought it was 3 year franchises, what's with the 2012-2014 malarlky?

2012, 2013, 2014 = three years/seasons.

Who were the A grade licences? I can't access all websites at work to check, but I assume us, Wigan, Leeds and Hull FC?

I don't know if you are being tongue in cheek but i think it is due to the seasons tarting in February and ending in October.

2012- feb- November
2013- feb- November
2014- Feb to July.

Correct:
4 Grade A licences: Hull FC, Leeds, Wire, Wigan.
5 Grade B: Bulls ,Catalan, Hudds, Saints, HKR.
5 Grade C: Cas, Quins, Salford, Wakey, Widnes

The three years aren't guaranteed either:

"However, for those who are successful, their inclusion will no longer be guaranteed.
For instance, a club which enters administration or fails to deliver tangible proof of improving their stadium facility, could see their licence over-turned at the end of any of the next three seasons if there is a suitable candidate to emerge in their place from the Championship".

no i'm just being a pedant, it's clearly only 2 1/2 years, the new franchise should be reviewed in 2015 after 3 seasons to prevent what is going to happen this season, crusaders are gonna fold like a cheap card table now, thus gifting a heap of points to the teams that are due to play them! hardly fair imo. if you place a bid for a 3 year franchise it should be 3 years!

the 4 teams with a grade were as you said DKM leeds (how) pies, us and hull.

As Halifax are now effectively the Widnes of the last three years, we'll see how strong the RFL really are if any of the chosen fourteen do what Wakefield and Crusaders have in the last twelve months then.

With a strong candidate chomping at the bit to replace them, it should at the very least keep the Grade C licence teams on their toes.

Saints will probably be A standard by the next round of applications thanks to their new ground, Bradford are unlikely to repeat their successes of the first decade of Super League but could still reach A standard, and Huddersfield only need to increase their crowds to do the same I imagine - which they surely will if they continue their relative recent on pitch success.

Standards are getting higher, so if you can't even come close you're going to be looking over your shoulder.

4 Grade A licences: Hull FC, Leeds, Wire, Wigan.

That should always stay the same next time around


5 Grade B: Bulls ,Catalan, Hudds, Saints, HKR.

Saints to rise to A, Hudds more fans rise to A, if Bulls ever move out of Odslum also an A but a B next time round.


5 Grade C: Cas, Quins, Salford, Wakey, Widnes

I'd imagine Widnes bordering an A license in 3 years and Cas if IF they get the new stadium also upgrading to a B bordering on A.

I expect Salford to improve aswell to B so would just leave wakefield and quins on a C depending on how Widnes do over the 3 years. By the time the next licenses come around majority of teams will be playing in good stadiums with good facilities, without licensing i doubt this would have been likely