Re: letter I have sent to minister of culture (sport) : Tue Jul 26, 2011 6:36 pm  

billyfax wrote:

Even the Wakefield CEO admitted that the administration would go against them. So maybe you're the only one who didn't.

I have no doubt at all that in the minus column, Wakefield had the ground and administration against them.

There is more to licencing than those 2 things though and Fax aren't good enough in the areas that Wakefield are strong, e.g. Grade A for youth and community.

Re: letter I have sent to minister of culture (sport) : Tue Jul 26, 2011 6:39 pm  

billyfax wrote:

Also here is what Andrew Glover the saviour of Wakefield had to say:

That's a bit naughty Billy!

Why don't you post the full quote, that puts it into context?

He said he was "surprised" because you dare not let yourself believe and because no indications had been forthcoming from the RFL at all.

Re: letter I have sent to minister of culture (sport) : Tue Jul 26, 2011 6:47 pm  

Let's be straight, I would rather have you in than Quins, but someone made the point on our forum that Wakey cannot be considered one of the RFL's protected species. If that is the case, maybe the application was just better.

Your chairman has potentially let your club down. I agree that maybe you were kept in as a form of insurance for the Crusaders, but as I understand it, our application was a lot better than anticipated. We score very highly on youth structure and community work. By going off on one like he has, I can't see him making many friends, because of the strong accusations about Wakey and the RFL. Sometimes you need goodwill, and he's blown it.

For what it's worth, it should be about promotion and relegation, in which case you would be in the Super League already. We have never finished in a relegation spot.

Re: letter I have sent to minister of culture (sport) : Tue Jul 26, 2011 6:50 pm  

Number Cruncher wrote:

The criteria set out 3 years ago as the basis on which the applications will be assessed does not appear to have been followed

Perhaps that's because the criteria used for the 2009-2011 licences are not the same as those that were used for the 2012-2014 licences. This was made VERY clear from the point at which applications were sent out to clubs who were eligible to apply.

HTH

Re: letter I have sent to minister of culture (sport) : Tue Jul 26, 2011 6:52 pm  

Slugger McBatt wrote:

Let's be straight, I would rather have you in than Quins, but someone made the point on our forum that Wakey cannot be considered one of the RFL's protected species. If that is the case, maybe the application was just better.

Your chairman has potentially let your club down. I agree that maybe you were kept in as a form of insurance for the Crusaders, but as I understand it, our application was a lot better than anticipated. We score very highly on youth structure and community work. By going off on one like he has, I can't see him making many friends, because of the strong accusations about Wakey and the RFL. Sometimes you need goodwill, and he's blown it.

For what it's worth, it should be about promotion and relegation, in which case you would be in the Super League already. We have never finished in a relegation spot.

Yes but you miss the point. Wakefield youth structure was ALWAYS going to be better than ours, because under the current rules we cannot spend what you can spend, simply because you are given money from SKY.... The real point is that Wakefield have had years of spending these millions and are in no better position than they were 3 years ago, however we have grown in the last 3 years and done exactly what the RFL have asked of us. Our bid included assurances that, given the SKY money, we will introduce a youth structure akin to yours. They have accepted your bid based on the fact that you will do something in the future, why couldnt they accept ours based on that (more of a certainty, as the SKY cash would be available to us).

Shafted by those on high.

Re: letter I have sent to minister of culture (sport) : Tue Jul 26, 2011 7:23 pm  

In regards to our chairmans rant, i for one understand where he is coming from. To be told you FIT ALL CRITERIA, earlier in the year and then lose to a team that has failed to meet what it guaranteed the last time round, stinks. I and many people are concerned at what is going on at rl head quarters and bribery is a strong word to use with out proof. I do not believe that the game is being run correctly and i think for the sake of rugby league surviving, we need a change at the top and an independant committe to make decisions. I think if lewis is nman enough (not a chance) he should go to the shay on saturday and explain their pathetic decision to the halifax faithful rather than hide in their offices like the idiots they are

Re: letter I have sent to minister of culture (sport) : Tue Jul 26, 2011 7:26 pm  

spanishbob wrote:

Yes but you miss the point. Wakefield youth structure was ALWAYS going to be better than ours, because under the current rules we cannot spend what you can spend, simply because you are given money from SKY.... The real point is that Wakefield have had years of spending these millions and are in no better position than they were 3 years ago, however we have grown in the last 3 years and done exactly what the RFL have asked of us. Our bid included assurances that, given the SKY money, we will introduce a youth structure akin to yours. They have accepted your bid based on the fact that you will do something in the future, why couldnt they accept ours based on that (more of a certainty, as the SKY cash would be available to us).

Shafted by those on high.

You'll do something in the future, we'll do something in the future. It might that there wasn't much in it, but there are two points to be made, which have been made already:
1. we are by no means a protected cow of the RFL. It must have been a good application. We only fail on Belle Vue, and the funding is there for a new ground, and work has started on the improvements to the current ground, and which will be in place for 2012. We are just waiting for the nod.
2. I'm not sure it was wise to go off on one like he did, badmouthing anyone within shouting distance. I doubt he did your club any favours.

I've nothing against Fax, and under our old regime, you might have beaten us. The RFL must have been impressed enough with what they had seen, because we have never thought that they would do anything to save us. My understanding is they refused us to loan the old regime money when the taxman called in the debt, even though they handed over more than double to keep the Crusaders afloat.

As someone said, maybe your ire is better directed towards Quins, who get no crowds, are looking to reinvent themselves again, and have only got location in their favour.

Re: letter I have sent to minister of culture (sport) : Tue Jul 26, 2011 7:27 pm  

dboy wrote:

I have no doubt at all that in the minus column, Wakefield had the ground and administration against them.

There is more to licencing than those 2 things though and Fax aren't good enough in the areas that Wakefield are strong, e.g. Grade A for youth and community.

Yeah and the other is the fantastic Marketing that Wakefield keep trumpeting ... which hasn't actually filled the worst ground in SL has it?
I am a Leeds fan and, at this moment, I seriously doubt I'll ever set foot in Belle Vue again, instead I'll go watch Halifax that week each year.
Not much of a protest but I know the admission fee will better spent at the Shay

Re: letter I have sent to minister of culture (sport) : Tue Jul 26, 2011 7:31 pm  

El Barbudo wrote:

Yeah and the other is the fantastic Marketing that Wakefield keep trumpeting ... which hasn't actually filled the worst ground in SL has it?
I am a Leeds fan and, at this moment, I seriously doubt I'll ever set foot in Belle Vue again, instead I'll go watch Halifax that week each year.
Not much of a protest but I know the admission fee will better spent at the Shay

No, not filled the ground, but attendances are up 16% (they are all real people too, not like the imaginary crowd at Fax, to meet the criteria).

Oh, how we'll miss you at Belle Vue!

Re: letter I have sent to minister of culture (sport) : Tue Jul 26, 2011 7:32 pm  

To be fair, I don't think the anger is directed to Wakefield, but the RFL.

I say good luck to Wakefield, this time luck has gone your way, just don't count on having such fortunate circumstances again in the future