Crusaders have put their application in to 'join' the Championship, should they be allowed in, bearing in mind they cheated to get in and get out last time? Should they be allowed special dispensation as a 'developing' area yet are only 40 miles from the heartland? (if yes then do Barrow, Whitehaven, Workington and Sheffield also qualify?)
Toulouse have been 'thrown out' yet have been told that they can apply for a SL franchise/licence next time, is that because they stood little chance of winning anything in the Championship?

So you are sitting in the head honcho's chair. Do you let them in? Bearing in mind that even the most biased cynic can't fail to be a little impressed that fan power in the area is pushing Crusaders to continue to exist - ie 4000 people on a petition.

I could get a petition together in the next month with 15000 signatures all pledging their support to semi professional rugby league continuing in leigh, but I could not guarentee that I could persuade 2000 plus to come watching on a regular basis

But could you get 15000 people to sign a petition for RU? or even the late football club we had? Thats the point I'm trying to make. Its a positive that people power is pushing this latest move.

We need a club , they want to play , any other considerations are secondary at the moment

Will the RFL be bold enough to start playing silly buggers again with them ? Only time will tell

To quote myself from a previous thread:

[i"Personally, they should be welcomed to apply to start again in Championship One and build from there, just like Bramley Buffaloes may do and others like them. Announce now that Swinton and the two play of finalists will join Leigh, Fev, Fax, Batley, Barrow, Dewsbury, Hunslet Sheffield and York to form a 12 team Championship.

This could leave 7 other Championship One teams joined by Crusaders and 2 other "applicants" from the conferences to make up a 10 team division. If the applicants appear to be strong enough then this could be increased to 4 to form a 12 team division. I am sure there are numerous current amateur clubs who command attendances far in excess of those currently at South Wales, London Scholars and Gateshead. As long as they have the facilities and infrastructure to go with this then why shouldnt they be given a chance?"[/i

Add to this a cup competition (re-vamped Northern Rail type Cup) and then hopefully we can provide enough home matches to generate income

Apparently none of the ' expressions of interest ' from Hemel or Coventry have the financial back up to be considered , so once again the RFL s hopes for expansion through the lower tiers plan has hit a snag

The ONLY way they will get more clubs is to finance them , and potentially set up and run them for a period of time , they should commit to doing that and commit to a new Championship 1 club every 3 years

I can only take your word for it on the first sentance as I have no knowledge either way, however, I would much prefer to see your second sentance happenning but maybe with an initial burst of 2 clubs (e.g. Bramley and Hemel or Coventry). This would still give 12 Champ and 10 Div 1 teams. 2013, finance another and another in 2014.

I agree, let them in. They're an asset to the division with their fan base and they meet championship criteria I reckon?

Let them in without any doubt.
Has to be SAME RULES as everyone else.
In fact all clubs should have to be playing to the same rules from now on in regardless of location or if its a new club or not, lets build properly and allow a fan base to experience all aspects of the sport not just false dawns.

Agree about having same rules. Problem is at the moment we have rules in place that are relevant to heartland clubs but not for those clubs outside the heartlands. Get rid of quota and salary cap rules then we can have same rules for all. But have regular checks on clubs that they can afford what they do.

Past caring

Let them is, but as said - same rules as everyone else.

Personally, I think the RFL may have learned from the last time.







But I've always been an optimist.

Funny that so far the Toulouse bit hasn't been answered?

My answer covered both questions Fred and still stands.

What answer are you looking for. Its been done already on previous threads. It was worth a go but didn't work. I remember the discussion because I think it was Demon that brought up that it was a waste of money, but it wasn't a waste of money to use that central funding to give to clubs for the bottomless pit of players wages.
As for them applying for SL. Why not?

As for Crusaders - do you not think they should be allowed in or not ? Yes or No.

Questions too simple for you? or should I do multi-choice?

As for repeat threads....do me a favour

I think you should use "Question too difficult for you?"
But yes maybe we could have a repeat thread in the next couple of weeks so we can revisit it again by the ones that just can't let it go.

No it wasn't worth a go , the money wasted on Easyjet and hotel bills could have financed 1 maybe 2 new Championship club the benefit was to Toulouse , not to the other Championship clubs , it is ridiculous to have part time players playing international club competition

In answer to Freds question about Toulouse next time ? , well it's nothing to do with us , is the answer

Never did get that O level english, but in this case I didn't need it