I don't see how it's baseless, all the points have been brought up on this thread and other threads, theres a lot inconsistencies from the original agreement that we signed up to. It most certainly isn't pointless, with this system in place our chances of ever returning to the top flight are so slim it's a case of nothing to lose. For me we need to keep in the top flight at all costs, Are you happy to see us just been a permanent championship club, end up with the same fate as other ex SL clubs like Oldham and Workington? Be a feeder club for the SL teams?

Where Wakefield Trinity for god sake, were one of the founding fathers of the game are we happy to be treated as victim of injustice and roll over and have our tummies tickled by the RFL. Someone needs to stand up to this corrupt regime that runs the game. If we have any chance of a successful case we should go for it and hopefully put an end to this corrupt system and return to good old Promotion and relegation. We can make the whole system look unworkable and get back to real rugby with P n R!

Exactly, we can huff and puff all we want but at the end of the day the RFL will pick who they perceive to be the best, unfortunately its their bat and ball so they make up the rules with some flexibility to allow them some room to manouver.

tell that to sheffield united, still got relegated but got millions in compo following a successful civil court appeal as i recall.

The point is the RFL say all clubs are working to the same criteria for a franchise...there isn't a seperate criteria for the so called expansion clubs (well not a public one). So from a LEGAL point of view they are on very shakey ground. Their explanations for the franchising could be very interesting.

They get away with it by ' weighting ' different positives differently , all subjectively of course

The first team to contest a franchise decision will find themselves playing against Selby Warriors within 3 years and losing.

Completely different situation though.

That is what the RFL want us to believe.
The thing about situations like this is, at the moment the RFL clearly have the upper hand as their word is final.
Change the dynamics of the situation and the power shifts with it.
In an independent tribunal, the RFL would clearly have to explain their decisions and their reasonings and show all documentation from their decision making. This could prove to be both difficult and embarrassing for the RFL.
From the point of view of any club having to prove it has been treated unfairly, there is plenty enough evidence about to give them grounds for complaint and for a moderately skilled barrister to make the RFL look foolish.

OK, admittedly it was a provocative statement, but it still begs the question - what's the legal basis for any challenge? I haven't read anything on here or elsewhere to make me believe there is one. You mention the agreement we signed up to, but what is this agreement? The award of the 3 year franchise, the allocation of monies to support that, and the provision of fixtures? All that seems to have been delivered, and we've kept our part of the bargain by fielding a team, providing a venue, etc. I'm not aware that the rules to determine who is or isn't awarded the next round of 3 year franchises are part of this agreement. Did we sign up to the agreement in the knowledge and understanding that a certain set of rules for the next award would apply? This seems a separate issue to me, and one where the RFL are pretty much at liberty to dictate things as they wish, with the agreement of the paymaster. This is purely my opinion, of course. If the criteria for the award of the next round of franchises are an explicit part of the agreement we signed up to, then there may be a case, unless a clause exists allowing the RFL to alter this as they deem fit.

No, I don't want to see us head for oblivion. I'm a supporter of the club like anyone else, and crave success just like any other fan. I'm just trying to be realistic, but as I say, it's just my opinion, based on what I've read about it.

Thats nailed on, my main concern is us being dumped and Crusaders going bust again, my opinion is the RFL are aware of the problems but will sweep them under the carpet untill later, and by then its too late for us.

If that happens then i will consider my future with this game and could possibly do something rather stupid to boot.

If my understanding of the situation is correct, we signed up to fair and equal system. It's beyond doubt that this is not the scenario. Do you really think this "independent" franchise panel (which includes Wood and Lewis) is judging everyone with equality? Like I said I'm no expert on this but I would be very surprised if nothing illegal was been done by the powers that be. Nothing that we can really do now, I'm sure that Glovers looked into it and worked the pros and cons. My biggest worry is that we have grounds for legal action and we don't take it on some misguided belief that we will get back in 2015. with the RFLs track record for moving goal posts it would be very naive to think we would have a fair crack in 3 years time. I wouldn't trust these people are far as I could throw them.

Good post, any legal action would hopefully open a right can of worms and expose this ridiculous system for what it is. The RFL would be made to look very foolish. I think the threat of legal action would be enough to make them back off because I'm pretty sure they know there in the wrong.

Did Wakefield agree at the outset to abide by the RFL's decision come licensing time and if so is it in black & white? As far as Crusaders and Harlequins go they appear to be covered in the RFL's latest statement re FAQ's on licensing which presumably isn't a new addition, ie expansion of the sport in strategic areas away from the heartland. So, as annoying as it is, it looks as though they dont need to match yours or any other submission to get the nod for SL. The RFL will give licenses to the clubs which they think will be to the overall benefit of the sport, not necessarily the strongest 14 bids.

So they can just do what they please and the clubs who offer the best after match buffet (most pies per head) win hands down, seems fair enough to me and i'm sure the fat get is also happy with that.

Happy days eh Mikey.

That should be one of the crieteria Al, well done!

I rather like the sound of that, pray do tell squire

I don't plan stupity its just happens but i would put 100% into it.

I'm off to buy the most expensive and powerful Dyson vacuum cleaner I can find so that I can perform DIY liposuction and colonic irrigation on certain members of the independent committee

Any advances on that?

yes, a bazooka.

As long as you give 100%, al, that's all we can ask.

2 Rats and a metal bucket plus a blow torch.

You been reading Stephen King

How about a metal cheese grater, cocktail sticks and a bottle of vinegar

Best punishment for Wood is to bar him from all shops selling food!

You are Kevin Henderson and I claim my 500 pence