Take no away support to the Shay in future, hindering their hopes of achieving a 2,500 average.

Or alternatively go dressed as work men in that side stand. Without paying of course.

But stadia and crowds aren't the only factors in the decision process. Our youth set up for example is far better than theirs. Our club is streets ahead of any other in the Championship and we should simply concentrate on improving those areas which the RFL highlighted and continuing to build on those areas where we have already got success.

We have a better bid than Halifax does that we don't need to resort to cheap shots like that.

Halifax will need to massively improve their home support to be taken seriously. They are in an area that has more Super League teams than around us even.

We need to concentrate on beating them in the league next year. Their best bet for an application will be if they win the league two years in a row and we're only finishing mid-table.

Oh, come on mate! This is Rugby League we're talking about. How dare you try to involve on-field performance? The RFL would be far more interested in how many types of aftershave you offer in the Gents and whether the Ladies supplies hairdryers.

LOL sad but true, i would like to think deep down at the rfl common sense plays some part. if we win the grand final this year and next year, finish the stand and have a u20's team surely that qualifies us above everytthing else?

Not really, sadly..

Because the stadium still isn't as good as ours.
Neither is Halifax's youth development.
Nor is the fanbase.

And off the record, there are plenty of clubs already in Yorkshire.

Despite your excellent credentials, I really can't see either Widnes OR Halifax being granted a franchise in 2012. Super League authorities don't want any more clubs from withing the M62 corridor, only 'expansion' clubs that will make the game look falsely bigger and glossier.
I'm afraid that Toulouse and Gateshead will be the only clubs that enter SL in 2012, mark my words. There are also rumours circulating of a club being set up in Cornwall for 2010 and if this comes to fruition, they'll be in there too like a shot.
Even if Widnes meet every franchise criteria possible, the goal-posts will be moved. Rugby League is now administered by some corrupt people with a definite agenda, and they've not been afraid to alter legislation to suit themselves in the past have they?!
Your club had an excellent application package last season, and still got turned down in favour of two clubs who both play in ramshackle stadiums. One club has a fan base on a simlar par with yourselves, and the other has no fan base (and no financial security) at all!
The only reason Salford got in last season was down to their big-city location (I'm waiting for a re-naming - Manchester Reds maybe?), and I don't even need to comment on Celtic do I?
My thoughts on this are in no way a jibe at Widnes, or anyone club from Lancs/Yorks which chooses to apply for 2012, but we need to be realistic.

Technically the fact ours aren't are good shouldn't matter, a ticked box is a ticked box if you get me (even though you're right on the above 3 points)

The problem with the whole system is just that though. Take away the clubs that score like 10-11 out of 12 and get an A license (5 clubs) by 2011 the other clubs in SL at the mo and You, Fax, Leigh, Toulose, Barrow, Gateshead (?) could all post the same score so it's always going to be down to who the RFL 'WANT'.

If Widnes dont get in it would be an absolute farce (like it's not anyway) and the thought of Halifax getting a place doesn't enter my mind, 'cause i just can't see it tbh.

The whole thing has been a joke and Widnes should be in SL now. Widnes deserve to be in SL in 2012. Fax still have much to do. But I cant see much difference between Fax and Wakey,Celtic and Salford. Its just a matter of opinion which is wrong. It simply should be P & R and you need certain criteria to be promoted. And the same is if teams are not moving forwards then they are sent down for failing to do what they promised.
Really the Championship should have started earlier with the Grand Final being in early September so that a team had more time to sign the better SL players off contract-But the RFL have never cared about the game as a whole rather they have a plan and will just frame things to fit there vision-no matter what damage is caused.
Widnes were once again let down by the RFL and hope for them its not third time unlucky

Even that was too late with the p & r system. Most players are signed up by July / August.

Hull KR were the only exception to the rule, as they were a really well assembled side that were streets ahead of anything the National Leagues had to offer.

The last club to make a real impact after promotion was Widnes in 2002. The Grand Final was months ahead of the SL one.

We dont need to get the nod over Halifax as they are an inferior club.

I`m hope the RFL go down the route and add 2 more clubs to the league.

Not enough teams in it i think .

Surely a simply meathod of adding 2 more high status clubs to the league will spice it up more.

Big crowds happy days

An inferior club which has won 2 out of 3 against the "golden boys" although I do realize that a SL license has nothing to do with on-field performances.



Despite your snooty broadside, i do agree that Widnes currently offer more to SL than Halifax do. Indeed there are 3 or 4 clubs already in SL inferior to Widnes IMO.

I was

May i take the hook out of my mouth now?

Only Widnes fans have posted on the thread so far so no need to remove my friend.

Lets look at Widnes/Fax/Leigh, will give marks out of 10 at the end of each group


[uSponsorship[/u

Widnes - Stobarts

Halifax - Halifax home insurance thingy me bob

Leigh - JR (local pie seller)???

Widnes - 8/10
Halifax - 7/10
Leigh - 4/10

[uGround[/u

Widnes - Stobart Stadium all seater

Halifax - Half good half bad, once finished will look decent enough

Leigh - Cracking sports Village

Widnes - 8/10
Halifax - 7/10 (if finished)
Leigh - 9/10

[uSupport[/u

Widnes - average at around 3,800

Halifax - average at around 2,400

Leigh - average at around 1,900

Widnes - 6/10
Halifax - 5/10
Leigh - 4/10

[uChairman[/u

Widnes - Steve O'connor - Millionaire business man who works for a huge company

Halifax - Michael Steele - apologies but dont know anything about him

Leigh - Arthur Thomas - Millionaire??????

Widnes - 8/10
Halifax - 6/10
Leigh - 6/10

[uYouth setup/scholarship/community[/u

Widnes - Run at all ages and have award winning community programme. 6 home grown in squad

Halifax - No academy at any level but decent community work.

Leigh - Reserve side but no academy or foundation, award winning community work. Numerous home grown in squad


Widnes - 8/10
Halifax - 4/10
Leigh - 6/10

[uProfessional club setup/Media prescense[/u

Widnes - Up to date official website, and sky media bitches in Terry Oconnor and Paul King Cullen. Correct people in place at the club.

Halifax - Up to date website, would need to employ more staff in key positions within the club to advance.

Leigh - Not a bad website but can be improved, probably need a couple more key individuals added to the club.


Widnes - 8/10
Halifax - 6/10
Leigh - 6/10







[uTotals[/u


Widnes 46
Halifax 35
Leigh 35

I can't say I agree with all your marking but to be honest come 2011 a lot could change and you must realise that.

If Leigh get relagated the gamble of bulding a team from next year will of failed, if we stay up,we will be 100% stronger next year on many fronts.

The French bid will definately be a strong one and Gateshead have a lot of backing.

Widnes are in the box seat but as you know only too well the RFL are anything but fair in whatever they do.

I just wish everyone would enjoy a great League that we are in at present,the speculation about Franchising drives me nuts.

Vikingman - you should be on the selection panel ! A good effort there, nice bit of research and no shocks. Well done - a better "licensee" than Al Murray

even when that stand at fax is finally complete, the shay still could never be classed as a "premier" sporting venue, the seating down the side and both areas behind the sticks lack the basic facilities such as toilets and food outlets etc.

Jesus! Get a room!

It's not Widnes you love, it's vikingman!

He's a quality poster and i respect him enourmously. He's a beacon of light in a dull word. He is a demigod, an apostle, an example to us all on how we should post on here. In fact, if i didn't know any better, i'd say he was Jesus Christ risen again.

My message would be simple in terms of the recent news.

If your ground aint built then you can drop down until it is and then re-apply.

Widnes/Fax/Leigh in

Cas/Wakey/Salford out.



2015

Cas can come back with open arms