Back to the old 2nd Division then? : Tue Aug 30, 2011 8:27 pm  

http://www.therfl.co.uk/news/article/23380/toulouse-to-return-to-french It didn't work in the 1990's so why do the RFL think it will work now? A 9 team Division is like the Scottish football leagues! Why not merge the Championships into a single Division and a true League competition so that every club plays every other club home and away? I suppose that's far too simple for the RFL!

http://www.therfl.co.uk/news/article/23380/toulouse-to-return-to-french It didn't work in the 1990's so why do the RFL think it will work now? A 9 team Division is like the Scottish football leagues! Why not merge the Championships into a single Division and a true League competition so that every club plays every other club home and away? I suppose that's far too simple for the RFL!

Re: Back to the old 2nd Division then? : Tue Aug 30, 2011 10:01 pm  

I totally agree, the merging of the divisions would give each club more games therefore equaling more income, this would help the clubs build for the future, if they go ahead with the two divisions then the sport is going to really suffer

This is one hell of a sport! - unfortunately it is managed by a clueless bunch of people!, what a joke!

Re: Back to the old 2nd Division then? : Wed Aug 31, 2011 11:02 am  

666 wrote: http://www.therfl.co.uk/news/article/23380/toulouse-to-return-to-french It didn't work in the 1990's so why do the RFL think it will work now? A 9 team Division is like the Scottish football leagues! Why not merge the Championships into a single Division and a true League competition so that every club plays every other club home and away? I suppose that's far too simple for the RFL! Strictly playing devils advocate for the sake of creating a debate. Do you think that Championship clubs could sustain a 35 game+ season? Would folk be prepared to pay more for season tickets in a recession? Would clubs need bigger squads for the rigours of a longer season diluting the talent pool and standard of play? Would it hurt clubs financially in the sense that although more games equal more gate money, it also means more winning/losing pay being paid out. Would some revenue streams like sponsorship or merchandise increase at the same rate? Would it cost the likes of Leigh,Fax and Doncaster etc who play in council grounds more in rents?

666 wrote: http://www.therfl.co.uk/news/article/23380/toulouse-to-return-to-french It didn't work in the 1990's so why do the RFL think it will work now? A 9 team Division is like the Scottish football leagues! Why not merge the Championships into a single Division and a true League competition so that every club plays every other club home and away? I suppose that's far too simple for the RFL! Strictly playing devils advocate for the sake of creating a debate. Do you think that Championship clubs could sustain a 35 game+ season? Would folk be prepared to pay more for season tickets in a recession? Would clubs need bigger squads for the rigours of a longer season diluting the talent pool and standard of play? Would it hurt clubs financially in the sense that although more games equal more gate money, it also means more winning/losing pay being paid out. Would some revenue streams like sponsorship or merchandise increase at the same rate? Would it cost the likes of Leigh,Fax and Doncaster etc who play in council grounds more in rents?

Re: Back to the old 2nd Division then? : Wed Aug 31, 2011 1:48 pm  

All very god points stealth. One other thing to think about. What about the team at the bottom of the league. There fans could be seeing there team lose 30 odd games a season.

Re: Back to the old 2nd Division then? : Wed Aug 31, 2011 2:28 pm  

guess who wrote:

All very god points stealth. One other thing to think about. What about the team at the bottom of the league. There fans could be seeing there team lose 30 odd games a season.

Could you imagine what the likes of Fev would do to Gateshead if they're shipping around 55 points a game in our league.

Re: Back to the old 2nd Division then? : Wed Aug 31, 2011 3:00 pm  

Some good points, but are you really thinking that a 9-team division can survive?

It didn't in the 90's, so what makes you think it will now?

OK, some 'tweaking' might be necessary with the bottom half clubs playing each other and the top half clubs also playing each other with additional 'derby' games being played in order to make-up the numbers but surely not a division with only 8 other teams in it?

Forget the NR Cup so-called 'Derby games' - Look who we have played in recent years - Gateshead, London, etc.,.

Given the strength of Super League Clubs, I believe that a Challenge Cup 'Losers Plate' should be re-introduced, with the final being played as a curtain-raiser to the actual Cup game just as it once was. Didn't Hunslet play in that game at Wembley?

Anything must be better than a 9-club division though. All you have to do is look at our fixture list this season, then you'll realise why we, and other clubs, are struggling to survive. Two months without any 'home' games and the league finishing in the first week of September.

Someone at red Hall must have a brilliant 'business case' or how else has such a fixture list been agtreed?

Re: Back to the old 2nd Division then? : Wed Aug 31, 2011 3:18 pm  

To be honest I think there's too many clubs for 1 division and not enough for 2 divisions.

I believe there are plans to bring some expansion teams in for 2013 which would help.

I think the 2 division structure with a cup is probably the best compromise for the time being. Which is what I've been informed will be the case for next season. Although I'd like to the season condensed more in to the summer months so there's not as many weeks off when the weather's good.

Re: Back to the old 2nd Division then? : Wed Aug 31, 2011 4:50 pm  

I really do fear for the game below SL.
Fans walking away. Big sponsors seem to be a thing of the past.

Re: Back to the old 2nd Division then? : Wed Aug 31, 2011 5:12 pm  

There is an article on the telegraph and Argus this evening confirming that should the Cougars win the grand final (or any team for that matter) they will be assured of promotion to the Championship by the RFL. Just got to get there and win it now!

Re: Back to the old 2nd Division then? : Wed Aug 31, 2011 6:43 pm  

Just a thought but a while ago the rfl made a song and dance about clubs, fans etc of championship/1 clubs and thoughts how to improve things. Seems to have gone out of the window based on the situation next season.

Perhaps they should venture into confectionary and issue a bar called championship fudge as this is all they are good at.

Assuming Crusaders are allowed into championship will they have to play by same rules as everyone else or are they again going to exempt from relegation, also will this include same overseas quota. Just wondered if anyone heard owt.