Not just smart=blue [ibum[/i but a total =blue[inot very nice word[/i too.
Sod off back to your bum chums in SL pal, they love you to death.

=blue[iEdited by TS[/i

The thing is WE in the heartland areas get the crowd figures rammed down our throats when they get a 'bloated crowd' to justify the existance of these clubs like its proof that it will work and that it doesn't in say Leigh or Halifax.
So it is an issue that will not go away as you also have to remember its not only these clubs home games that we are talking about but its also the poor crowds at their away games that is hurting the game, I accept its not their fans fault due to the huge distances but its not good for the gate and especially the atmosphere!

Ask yourself this who would the Chairman at a SL club rather have come to town, Hull KR or Celtic Crusaders?

Oh I agree - I mean Saints and Wire are missing out on big derby pay days as are Hudds with you boys (you will more than double attendances when you get back).

I was being a bit flippant with our London friend and got carried away.



Thing is you say anything construed as negative about an expansion club and they get all hyper-sensitive.

A lot of other SL clubs are in a worse financial position than the Quins.

I don't object to the game spreading and love speaking to RL fans throughout the country on my many visits to the South and Wales.

What is wrong is expansion at the expense of Northern Clubs just because they are on the M62 corridor and this unfortunately is what we face today.

Think on this the most professional and richest league in the World the Premiership will have next season- Liverpool,Everton,Man City,Man Utd,Wigan,Blackburn,Bolton and Burnley, 8 teams out of 19 all within 30 miles of each other.

Apart from confirming how mighty the Red Rose County is it also confirms that relegation and promotion is accepted by football fans even though an imbalance can happen.

If Burnley can play in the Premiership why is it wrong for Fax,Leigh,Barrow,etc to be in SL.

I agree that the teams above should be given the opportunity to play in SL and would hope that the RFL will not just fast-track others again, as Celtics results and crowds have shown that maybe 3 more years in the championship, winning games and possibly cups would have helped raise awareness. That said, relegation after promotion to the premiership has it's pitfalls.....ask Charlton, Southampton, Norwich, Leeds, etc.........
I would much rather see a stronger championship (which judging by some of this years TV games we are getting) before clubs step up. I also believe that there will be a casualty from SL in the next round of licence applications as a lot of "promised" stadiums have turned out to be blatant lies IMO.
As I have said previously, I have a soft spot for Fax and would hope that if you are successful on and off the pitch over the next 2 years you will get a fair look in....