Interesting to see that Hull KR have now become the official retirement home for ex Leeds players.

According to an article in Total RL, there seems to be a push for Bradford to be the team.....

Yes, I’ve just been reading the article, this paragraph shows they’ve already got the smoke and mirrors in place.

From LE.
The documentation reveals that each criterion will carry a different weighting, but doesn’t disclose what the weightings are.
It reads,”the panel will have absolute discretion in the weighting of the Assessment Criteria. For the avoidance of doubt, the Assessment Criteria do not carry equal weight.
When quizzed on that part of the document, super league chief executive Robert Elstone, who will not sit on the seven-man panel,said, I’ll have to refer you to the panel for that decision.
When asked specifically about the prospect of the bulls, Elstone added, “the criteria that’s been set will scrutinise all aspects of the applicants. I want this process to be forward looking, dealing with contributions in 2020. It should only be looking backwards to validate what that club could do moving forward. Elstone went on to add that fanbase size would be important.”” One of the key criteria of evaluation will be fanbasel” he said.

Well it seems to be the decision has already been taken. I’m pretty sure the majority of all rugby fans would agree any promotion to SL, is on field performance based. We’re back to the days of “Smoke and Mirrors” and nasty smells.

“I want this process to be forward looking, dealing with contributions in 2020. It should only be looking backwards to validate what that club could do moving forward.”
WTF???

Bradford will never see a penny from me.

Sham club.

The thing with Bradford is that everyone seems to be thinking of the high flying SL champions of the early 2000's and not the basket case club that followed.
Yes, there is potential with them but, right now, they are a mid table Championship club that groundshares at Dewsbury.
There are at least 5 other more worthy candidates.
If they go on current attendances, rather than the "rose tinted" version of yesteryear, they are still some way down the list.

I'm with you dboy.

To me it should be Toulouse...replace one expansion club with another that has a better chance of succeeding as they are already established, as well as helping to improve the French game...plus it'll be cheaper to get there!!

And the fan base!

we want a club that brings fans not sponge off english clubs.

Absolutely disgusting if true, a club that was millions of pounds in debt Rip of their own supporters who had raised over half a million pounds for the club that just disappeared..They are a club that could not face the truth that they were\are no longer a big club.Shows how people can be bought in S L

Still better than Toronto

Agreed.
Would prefer another team.
With the criteria, I would assume it would require them to play at their own ground........

When it comes to Bradford.... if they are the same
club that went under countless administrations, does that make us the same club which almost went under in 2011?

I think the angst towards Bradford should be directed towards the previous owners. Saying that I have no desire to set foot back in Odsal. Even the abominable snowman would complain at how cold it is.

How does a club that NEARLY went under be the same as a club that went under, under countless owners and administrations?

Anythings better than Toronto but lets put our own house in order first instead of pushing for more garlic chompers! After almost a full season without specis lets try and get some money back in the club not promote a club that wont bring fans.

Lets be honest, any circumstances in which Bradford are admitted to Super League are going to be questioned and scrutinised by 90% or people even if the decision made is 100% legitimate.

Rightly so in my opinion, unfortunately the RFL have put themselves in this position by having conflicts of interests that they never should have had in the first place so any challenges raised by teams putting a bid in to join SL I would say are both highly likely and legitimate questions.

And before anyone beats the "Independent panel" drum, I get that, I just don`t believe that both RFL and SL wont have any input into the decision.

Isnt Nigel involved with Bradford these days since leaving the International RL scene after he got paid off from the RFL?

I suspect the place will go to Bradford on the hope that all the bandwagon jumping fans will come out of the woodwork again and the RFL/Super League can say they have another 'big city' team and that all us 'lesser' clubs should be eternally grateful for the amount of support they'll bring to our games. Because as we all know "Super League needs a strong Bradford Bulls".





The likes of Fev don't stand a chance. A great old club who have progressed steadily off the field without any obvious serious financial difficulties and have been putting together a decent squad albeit with the Championship in mind, but three clubs in the WMDC area?....... nah, they RFL/SL won't go for that. Outside bets would be Leigh if Derek hasn't upset too many people, or London because we "need a presence in the capital".

Do you not think Toulouse have a chance?

Possibly but if the current virus situation continues there may be doubts over their finances given the cost of coming back and forth to the UK. Even Bernard Guasch owner of Catalans is feeling the pinch this year and has asked the French government for support as they don't have access to any of the £16 Million available for UK based clubs.

Is there a secret millionaire or two in the wings at Bradford? They are a basket case now. Odsal is a shambles.
Makes absolutely no sense to select them without dumping all their current players and taking the leftovers from other clubs for JK to work his miracle again, therefore, it goes without saying it will probably be them. Seems to be how we work in RL.

I don`t exactly know the set up in terms of investment or the financial backing from there board but money doesn't seem to be an issue for them, they have continued to sign SL players throughout the pandemic.

I read last year that they gain 3 million euros per annum per year just in sponsorships, which is absolutely huge especially when they are in the championship - At the time I think the figure was that was 60% of there income which, which puts them at brining in around 5 mil a year, no idea how they do it but they seem to put it back into there playing squad.

They have just moved to a fantastic new stadium, there attendance is above avg for championship, they are probably level with Leigh in terms of the best playing squad in the championship and they do so much more for French rugby league than Catalan are doing which is next to zero.

Not saying it should be them but I reckon they should be up there.

If they remain in The Championship, they will still be coming back and forth with the same frequency as if they were in SL



Also, with how the UK government has handled the virus, there is more chance of getting to see a game in France than going over to Cas for a derby game


Seriously though, if we cant get fans in next season, were all screwed.

Actually a little less for them in SL

Wife has just been watching The One Show (I wasn't....honest !!) and Boy George was on saying he is doing a concert in London next month and 3000 fans can attend, so if they are allowing 3000 in an indoor arena, then I'm sure we could safely accommodate something similar at all Super League grounds ???

There will be 4.500 in the O2 for something or other next month......
Absolutely ridiculous.....


....yet we cant watch RL, or I can't go and watch my hometown football team playing at Halifax in front of 2,500 fans....