RFL Championship Plans : Tue Oct 18, 2011 10:09 pm  

Full details see here:- http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague ... ml&BID=480 Laughed my head off with the statement- "Having harvested areas in the heartland, we need to grow the market to add value to our competition," Rimmer said. Really Mr Rimmer (appropriate name that)? So Leigh are okay are they likewise Whitehaven, Rochdale, Oldham, etc...? This is a dumbing down of Championship 1 and makes it the league of death for clubs like us, Leigh, Fev and all other 'heartland' clubs as there will be longer journies to play teams with no fans and no interest for playing them at home by your own fans either as it will be 'Fancy going to watch the rugby on Sunday mate?' 'Er yer maybe who they playing?' 'Hemel Hempstead' 'Who? nah don't fancy that one ta.' Only good thing is a bigger Championship as 10 teams is not enough but for those left in Championship 1 God help them

Full details see here:- http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague ... ml&BID=480 Laughed my head off with the statement- "Having harvested areas in the heartland, we need to grow the market to add value to our competition," Rimmer said. Really Mr Rimmer (appropriate name that)? So Leigh are okay are they likewise Whitehaven, Rochdale, Oldham, etc...? This is a dumbing down of Championship 1 and makes it the league of death for clubs like us, Leigh, Fev and all other 'heartland' clubs as there will be longer journies to play teams with no fans and no interest for playing them at home by your own fans either as it will be 'Fancy going to watch the rugby on Sunday mate?' 'Er yer maybe who they playing?' 'Hemel Hempstead' 'Who? nah don't fancy that one ta.' Only good thing is a bigger Championship as 10 teams is not enough but for those left in Championship 1 God help them

Re: RFL Championship Plans : Wed Oct 19, 2011 12:47 pm  

It's all b0ll0cks.

Re: RFL Championship Plans : Wed Oct 19, 2011 6:47 pm  

Eh By Gum, that should go down well with the national press, a media briefing at Brigas.

Re: RFL Championship Plans : Thu Oct 20, 2011 2:11 am  

Increase the number of clubs in the Championship - Yes
Bring new clubs into Championship 1 - Yes
Bring a franchising type arrangement in for the Championships - Resounding No

This is one of those situations where all Championship Chairmen and Supporters need to combine and stop this before its too late. I dont want to see clubs like Oldham, Workington and Rochdale be locked out and left to wither with little to play for each year.

You watch, there will be a combination of bullying and false promises from the RFL to get this through. What is really needed here is a strong advocate to head up a group bringing everyone together to nip the risk of franchining in the bud before it turns the lower levels into the debacle SL is.