Re: 2021 - return of licencing? : Thu Aug 17, 2017 3:16 pm  

Never going to happen. Think it's just wishful thinking on the Bulls part, as someone as already said it would be their only chance of getting in, but realistically no chance.

Re: 2021 - return of licencing? : Thu Aug 17, 2017 3:44 pm  

karetaker wrote:

Never going to happen. Think it's just wishful thinking on the Bulls part, as someone as already said it would be their only chance of getting in, but realistically no chance.

They are telling their fans what they think they want to hear and it does look like some will be sold on it but they are getting sold down the river once again.

Re: 2021 - return of licencing? : Thu Aug 17, 2017 6:03 pm  

Faxlore wrote:

No for me as well. Licensing / franchising closes the door to team all teams not in the top flight. It is just a way for the RFL to control the teams they want in the top league and we know who they will be before any paper work is submitted. it will kill the game as it nearly has done. top players wont go to clubs outside the top flight. Now, if a team is playing well and looks like they will get promoted top players will go to that club, look a Leigh before they got promoted.

The top teams in the league below have no real goal except to win that league and I bet the RFL wont have a million pound game to paly for in the lower leagues. its a farce. As stated above, Fax toed the line made changers, move ground all for nothing. I feel sickened that the RFL may even be thinking about this again. I like this system we have at the moment it gives clubs a chance for promotion and to get reasonable amount of prize money if you make the middle 8.

The New Super League 2021:
St Helens
Wigan
Warrington
Leeds
Castleford
Hull
Hull KR
Wakefield
Huddersfield
London
Catalan
Toronto
Widnes
Salford.

Statement from the RFL: After listening to the clubs we have introduced the new 14 team system. This is using the new licensing system brought in so ALL clubs have the opportunity to play in the top flight competition. The independent licensing board (paid by the RFL) have looked at all the applications from all the clubs who submitted their business plans for the next Licensing term which will be 125 years.
They have chosen the best 14 teams to play(those we like and who's owners have the most money) in the new system.
The system will ensure that clubs offer the best in terms of playing staff, stability of the clubs financially and modern day stadia. The first game will be Wakefield v Castledford played at the iconic Bell View ground.

The league will be sponsored by the Austrian Merchant Navy, who have paid nothing but promise to put the lettering 'Super League' on the side of their Antarctic Ice Breaker

Welcome to the death of Rugby League.

Sportsman shudds. Tapped Moto 3.6% Mmm!

Re: 2021 - return of licencing? : Sun Aug 20, 2017 10:27 am  

Licencing's inevitable. Having all these foreign teams makes no sense when they're playing part time players. Somebody - probably Dewsbury - are going to be traipsing off to Toulouse at a week's notice at the end of September.

Eagles are flying out 5 am on Bank Holiday Monday, afternoon catching up on a bit of sleep, play 8 pm, no flight back on Monday night, so a four hour bus ride to Marseilles to fly back Tuesday.

Why the RFL didn't take control and block-book some flights is beyond me. Toronto knew their first three games would be away and they're next three or four at home. The home away pattern for at least six of the seven rounds could have been set for these foreign games and some seats booked on planes. "Something we're considering for next year" apparently.

Or "we didn't think it through" is another way of putting it.

Re: 2021 - return of licencing? : Sun Aug 20, 2017 4:33 pm  

Typical RFL no foresight/planning thinking ahead make it up as we go along

Re: 2021 - return of licencing? : Sun Aug 20, 2017 5:14 pm  

bentleyman wrote:

Typical RFL no foresight/planning thinking ahead make it up as we go along

Correct

Re: 2021 - return of licencing? : Mon Aug 21, 2017 10:22 pm  

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
It did not work last time and it won't work ever this is not American football and the USA with mega cities.
The system lends itself to decisions being made on personal preferences by a few behind closed doors and this can be corrupt.

Re: 2021 - return of licencing? : Tue Aug 22, 2017 8:38 am  

Fax4Life wrote:

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
It did not work last time and it won't work ever this is not American football and the USA with mega cities.
The system lends itself to decisions being made on personal preferences by a few behind closed doors and this can be corrupt.

Yeah but having a system where there are massive funding differences doesn't work either.

Top team in Div 2 gets £800k, bottom team gets ten bob. How does that fund a good, strong, even competition?

And, looking at the Eights, why is the focus on always on the middle eight ? Because there's not really all that much at stake in the other two eights. Cas and Toulouse already confirmed as leaders, most of the other places are pretty much settled. Just that fourth place in the $uperleague top four and the second relegation place from Div 2 are providing any interest at all for the next month.

Add to that the games are organised at ten minutes notice, folk are on holiday in August - crowds are poor. Twelves and Eights working? Not really.

It'll be even worse if the wrong teams get relegated. There'll be a huge pressure on the part-timers if we have Toronto, Toulouse and Catalan in Div 2 next year.

Re: 2021 - return of licencing? : Tue Aug 22, 2017 9:26 am  

Agree with you Griff, where is our great game going to.How many more teams, who have virtually no away following due to the distance they have to travel going to be fast tracked at the expense of the heartland clubs. It's farcical.

Re: 2021 - return of licencing? : Tue Aug 22, 2017 11:51 am  

That wasn't quite my point.

I don't mind having these teams in our competition. But I don't think it's practical to have them play part-timers. The York match last year, when they turned up with 12 players should've rung massive alarm bells.

Away support shouldn't be the issue. How many supporters travel from Hartlepool to Torquay ? Or Stranraer to Elgin ? Or Townsville to Melbourne ? Clubs need to develop their own home support. Away support should be a bonus.