Didn't wakey have a good under 18s side last year? Or did I just make that up?

I did say "dunno", but I'm surprised at that grading, from what I've seen of their Academy sides over the past 3 years or so (and I do go to all our home games). We battered them something like 44-6 a couple of weeks ago.

wakey are the first team that come to mind for leaching other clubs released players.

im really shocked that they havent been given the boot

how can wakey has a reseve team as good as wigan? stupid comment, half of the league is made up of players from our academy, i dont know of ne 1 coming through the wakey ranks,

on boots 'n' all last night Halifax chairman aluded to the fact they dont have one big benefactor to support them in Super League. What worries me is if these benefactors in other clubs just decide to call it a day and don't put anymore money in. I agree with Clarkey that these clubs need to be able to stand up on their own two feet and start being run as succesful businesses.

obviously the rfl feel different, from the articles and interviews ive seen the halifax bid was based on that fact.
none of this really adds up, and there seems to be some underlying fault here that we must be missing

Very much so, and is exactly what Ian Lenagan has been saying from day 1 here.

I dont mind Halifax, but before you lot go on about how crap Wakefield are, they do have a solid youth policy, under 15's and 16's scholarships, and a current under 18's, Halifax have none of them, how on earth can you be granted a SL licence with zero youth policy ?

Like this:
Halifax you are granted a license on the basis that you setup a youth system.

Just like:
Wakefield you are granted a license on the basis you swap that shed for somewhere nice.

Hardly fair to judge on their youth policy
Wakefield are a Super League club and that is a huge advantage over a championship side. Not only in resources but in being able to attract the top young talent and develop that talent.
That in my opinion is why the license system is flawed. Very difficult to get out of the championship unless you have someone who will come in and put all that in place before they make an application for no guarantees they will even be granted a license. No chance of really increasing their revenue by playing in the championship but I'm sure that would change if Halifax or some other clubs were given the opportunity.

Wasn't that what Wakefield were told last time?

From my point of view, Halifax have done absolutely everything asked of them to try and gain a license.

Wakefield haven't got a new stadium, haven't improved their current one either (with they were told to do last round of licenses) and have since gone bust one.

Only 1 club deserves the financial benefits and opportunities that the license brings imo.

This

Wrexham FC have called off two friendlies. Players decided not to play after being told they won't be paid. Why do I get the feeling that this time next year there will be blokes wearing hi-vis vests, hard hats, drinking mugs of tea on the Racecourse?

As others have pointed out, that's not a fair comparison, but when both Fax & Wakey were in SL together, Fax consistently finished above Wakey in the U21's league table (in fact, in 2002 they finished 5th, above the likes of St. Helens & Warrington).

I thought the 1 st lot of licences from the start said you had to have a new house by 2012 . If so and wakefeild don't sort it do they lose there licence next year .... RFL bend rule after rule absolute jokes . Before crusaders pulled there licence I wonder who's head was for the chop because if it wasn't crusaders they should of still gone through with there original chosen team and let another 1 in like fax ,

I haven't read all the posts on this topic, but all I would say is.................did anyone understand a word Nigel Wood said on 'Boots 'n' All ????

I dont think Nigel Wood did

, exactly, at one point he actually baffled himself !!!!!

He did a great job of dodging every single question. Not that Lewis was any better.

It's amazing how the Leeds Mafia influence the big SL decisions, surely it's their connection with Wakey that has swayed the vote. I bet Hull are happy with the new ownership and the washing out of the Leeds Mafia, they may now sack Agar and get a decent coach

Crusaders in discussions with Wales Rugby League for them to take on and protect Crusaders' community activity. Finally, some good news!

does that mean the crusaders will not exist next year?
all seems to be leaning that way

Or maybe they'll run in the Championship/Champ 1, letting WRL continue the fantastic community work allowing the club to concentrate time and resources on stability and playing.

The fault is with the RFL, sadly.

I know some people think there are Leeds led conspiracies but I'm not sure there's a high enough level of competence at the RFL to pull off something as complex as a conspiracy.

They have announced that they have graded Wakefield's youth set-up as being of the same standard as Wigan's. This is hardly what you would expect from a skilled and subtle conspirator.

'There has been a lot about the players losing their jobs. But guys like Keith Senior and Gareth Thomas should be grateful they've had long and successful careers. Jarrod Sammut has signed for Bradford while Keith could go to Wakefield. If you can't get another club you shouldn't be in Super League.'

Martin Offiah