Not Getting a Super League Franchise : Tue Jul 26, 2011 7:25 pm  

I guess that most of you on this forum feel exactly like we, the Board of Directors do, in that not only did we not get a franchise, but that at least one team who's complete disregard of the "rules" set out by the RFL some three years ago, seems to have not mattered a jot to the powers that be at the RFL. Halifax RLFC and to a large extent Calderdale Council took those "rules" as being important. Together with FC Halifax, we all have helped build a stadium in Halifax which not only meets those apparant RFL "rules" but in my view at least is a better facility than a number in Super League. Indeed the comments from those Super League teams who have played here this season support that view. We told the RFL as part of our bid, that we were going to run our Club within the budgets we had, or that we might aspire to if we were given a franchise, and that we thought it financially imprudent to suggest that we could bring in a sugar daddy millionaire to inflate our financial standing(as some Clubs have done to the extent that a number of Club financial failures can be attributed to that one man sponsor having financial difficulties himself). For the last few years we have been running our Club to at least break even. I have seen on TV tonight that Ralph Rimmer suggested that he had already spoken to Tony Abbott one of our Directors, who is currently out of the country on holiday. He did make such a short call. . . I dont think I can say just yet the supposed reason he gave why we were unsuccesful, but to say that I'm personally angry is an understatement For a senior person at the RFL to say that our bid wasn't as good as some Clubs who bids dont seem to have even met the so called "rules" is not good enough That we have spent the last three years aspiring to something that has been dismissed in this way is disappointing, not just for our Club but for any other Championship team who might have similar aspirations Michael Steele our Chairman has put a statement on the Club's web site at http://www.halifaxrlfc.co.uk/article.php?id=5473 I suggest its worth reading Our Club has four Directors none of us are millionaires as perhaps the RFL might prefer, but we all work for nothing, indeed it obviously costs us all a good deal of money to help run the Club. On days like these I have to say that putting the bid together cost a good deal of time effort and money and it seems to me as if it was all a complete waste of those three resources. Its difficult right now to believe that I personally would want to go through this exercise again in three years and to be honest its a view that seems shared by several other Championship teams' officials, judging by the phone calls we have received today. However I am a Halifax fan first and foremost. so it is disappointing to read on other forums that many of our fans have now said they will stop supporting Fax as a gesture to the RFL. I'd rather show the RFL a different gesture, by winning the Grand Final! and just letting them see what they've missed by this decision. So disappointed as we all are, hopefully tomorrow we can think again get behind the team, and lets not make the RFLs decision seem justified Mike R

I guess that most of you on this forum feel exactly like we, the Board of Directors do, in that not only did we not get a franchise, but that at least one team who's complete disregard of the "rules" set out by the RFL some three years ago, seems to have not mattered a jot to the powers that be at the RFL. Halifax RLFC and to a large extent Calderdale Council took those "rules" as being important. Together with FC Halifax, we all have helped build a stadium in Halifax which not only meets those apparant RFL "rules" but in my view at least is a better facility than a number in Super League. Indeed the comments from those Super League teams who have played here this season support that view. We told the RFL as part of our bid, that we were going to run our Club within the budgets we had, or that we might aspire to if we were given a franchise, and that we thought it financially imprudent to suggest that we could bring in a sugar daddy millionaire to inflate our financial standing(as some Clubs have done to the extent that a number of Club financial failures can be attributed to that one man sponsor having financial difficulties himself). For the last few years we have been running our Club to at least break even. I have seen on TV tonight that Ralph Rimmer suggested that he had already spoken to Tony Abbott one of our Directors, who is currently out of the country on holiday. He did make such a short call. . . I dont think I can say just yet the supposed reason he gave why we were unsuccesful, but to say that I'm personally angry is an understatement For a senior person at the RFL to say that our bid wasn't as good as some Clubs who bids dont seem to have even met the so called "rules" is not good enough That we have spent the last three years aspiring to something that has been dismissed in this way is disappointing, not just for our Club but for any other Championship team who might have similar aspirations Michael Steele our Chairman has put a statement on the Club's web site at http://www.halifaxrlfc.co.uk/article.php?id=5473 I suggest its worth reading Our Club has four Directors none of us are millionaires as perhaps the RFL might prefer, but we all work for nothing, indeed it obviously costs us all a good deal of money to help run the Club. On days like these I have to say that putting the bid together cost a good deal of time effort and money and it seems to me as if it was all a complete waste of those three resources. Its difficult right now to believe that I personally would want to go through this exercise again in three years and to be honest its a view that seems shared by several other Championship teams' officials, judging by the phone calls we have received today. However I am a Halifax fan first and foremost. so it is disappointing to read on other forums that many of our fans have now said they will stop supporting Fax as a gesture to the RFL. I'd rather show the RFL a different gesture, by winning the Grand Final! and just letting them see what they've missed by this decision. So disappointed as we all are, hopefully tomorrow we can think again get behind the team, and lets not make the RFLs decision seem justified Mike R

Re: Not Getting a Super League Franchise : Tue Jul 26, 2011 7:35 pm  

I think it is about time for the sake of rugby league, Halifax as a club do not take this lying down and challenge tis decision to the highest level we can. even if it means going through the highest courts we can. The decision stinks of hypocrisy and bias and needs to be challenged before these idiotsruin rl beyond repair. I and others are wondering what is the point of following a rl team anymore. I have followed Halifax since 1977 missing only about 20 home games in that time but wonder if i can continue when there vis nothing to aim for any more.....

Re: Not Getting a Super League Franchise : Tue Jul 26, 2011 7:47 pm  

You have my fullest support. In my eyes, you have done everything asked of you to enter Super League. It must be frustrating that your bid has not been successful.
However, I do hope that you are not bracketing my club (Castleford) as one of those who have broken promises. As a club we never, ever promised that we would be playing in a new stadium by 2012. What we did promise was "significant development" towards a new stadium (which was the RFL stipulation by 2011), which has being achieved with both outline and detailed planning permission being given for a stadium at Glasshoughton. Our obstacle now is to sell our current ground, which requires planning permission so a retail development can be built. We will need to overcome this obstacle and be playing at Glasshoughton by the next franchise application.

Re: Not Getting a Super League Franchise : Tue Jul 26, 2011 7:59 pm  

It is time to change the farce or break away

Re: Not Getting a Super League Franchise : Tue Jul 26, 2011 10:32 pm  

maurice wrote:

It is time to change the farce or break away

We need someone with millions willing to fund competitions and things to be able to do that.

Re: Not Getting a Super League Franchise : Tue Jul 26, 2011 11:05 pm  

nottinghamtiger wrote:

You have my fullest support. In my eyes, you have done everything asked of you to enter Super League. It must be frustrating that your bid has not been successful.
However, I do hope that you are not bracketing my club (Castleford) as one of those who have broken promises. As a club we never, ever promised that we would be playing in a new stadium by 2012. What we did promise was "significant development" towards a new stadium (which was the RFL stipulation by 2011), which has being achieved with both outline and detailed planning permission being given for a stadium at Glasshoughton. Our obstacle now is to sell our current ground, which requires planning permission so a retail development can be built. We will need to overcome this obstacle and be playing at Glasshoughton by the next franchise application.

you made the promise last round of the licences as a criteria

Re: Not Getting a Super League Franchise : Wed Jul 27, 2011 12:17 am  

I also agree, certain SL clubs have had all the advantages with the Sky money, better attendances, better sponsorship opportunities etc. Whilst Halifax's bid wouldn't have been perfect by any stretch of the imagination, IMO they did do enough to deserve a shot over Wakefield. 3 years ago it was all about finances + stadia - why has all that been forgotten about this time round? If Fax couldn't get in ahead of a poor team, who have just come out of administration, have reletively poor crowds and who have an awful stadium, they will never get in.

IMO the RFL needed to send a message to SL clubs that they do have the balls to kick out failing clubs, but instead Crusaders have saved them and basically gave a message to clubs like Cas, Wakey + Salford that they are doing a good job + to carry on as they are. Several clubs failed to carry out what they promised last time and they should have paid the price. In the 2 rounds of licencing the RFL have not yet gave any indication that they are prepared to give clubs a chance. I just hope that there is a guaranteed place for a Championship club next time round.

Re: Not Getting a Super League Franchise : Wed Jul 27, 2011 12:40 am  

As a Fev fan I think the way that Halifax have been treated is shocking. All I have heard is that Wakefield's application was stronger without expanding. This of course does not effect Featherstone Rovers at this point but I believe that all Championship clubs should be in this fight together.

I don't want to start another thread or go off topic about past troubles between our clubs but it's decisions like today that makes me annoyed that there is friction between our great clubs.

We need to unite against the clowns at the RFL.

Re: Not Getting a Super League Franchise : Wed Jul 27, 2011 1:34 am  

Cheers Pencil and thanks for the sentiments.

I think the one thing this decision reveals for your club is that even with your ground improvements, playing record and any investment in youth its going to be very tough for clubs like ours to progress under the current administration the game is cursed with. On the upside, nothing is ever final and I truely believe the Crusaders debacle will spell the end for at least one of the three wise monkeys. I for one will party hard when that announcement is made.

Re: Not Getting a Super League Franchise : Wed Jul 27, 2011 7:00 am  

Fax Missionary wrote:

Cheers Pencil and thanks for the sentiments.

I think the one thing this decision reveals for your club is that even with your ground improvements, playing record and any investment in youth its going to be very tough for clubs like ours to progress under the current administration the game is cursed with. On the upside, nothing is ever final and I truely believe the Crusaders debacle will spell the end for at least one of the three wise monkeys. I for one will party hard when that announcement is made.

It's all Ralphs fault