[urlhttp://www.superleague.co.uk/article/rfl-chairman-to-become-chief-executive-at-wimbledon/24809[/url

Game set and match

Can he take Stuart Cumings with him please?

It's a pity he won't be taking Jabba with him...

Well, now we'll see whether the flatcappers have it right and it's Lewis/the RFL that have been holding the game back all this time rather than the self interest of club chairmen...

That's a great pity. Under Richard Lewis, the clubs that have been prepared to be progressive, and the sport, have made significant process in what should have been difficult times in the wider world for RL.

Was he involved in giving franchises to three clubs that have, or are just about to, go into administration? Have they/he provided any lead to supporters giving donations and where the money might go if the Bulls do fold?

Hopefully we might get someone in who understands a bit about RL, it's history and it's supporters (rather than Lewis) and realises that we aren't American Football and that the franchise system was a complete disaster that has seen f (with Wakefield failing to meet the terms, but staying in, while others like Halifax meet the terms, but stay out at the expense of others), clubs going bankrupt, or as good as. It has made the Superleague a laughing stock which has driven a gigantic wedge between SL and the national league.

However I will not keep my fingers crossed...

You would have to ask the Bulls what they're doing with donations (and sponsorship and ticket money for that matter)
I'd imagine that if they do go into administration that their creditors would take the donations, much as they will if they don't go into administration.

Conversely, I'd rather we kept Richard Lewis (even his initials are right for the sport) and change a whole load of our supporters.

SL clubs voted for a 14 team competition. There were - IIRC - 16 bids submitted. Crusaders withdrew, and the Halifax bid apparently contained some forecasts that they couldn't provide any evidence to back up.

Each bid was independently assessed by KPMG, who provided advice to the RFL throughout the bidding process.

Given there were only 14 bids that stood up to even the weakest scrutiny, and 14 places available to successful bidders, how exactly is it the RFL or Richard Lewis's fault that subsequently some of those bidders went belly up?

Sometimes, a sport gets the sort of administrators its supporters deserve. In Richard Lewis, rugby league at least temporarily managed to buck that trend. I look forward to seeing a return to self interested club chairmen at the helm of the game, like the glory days of the 70s and 80s.

The RFL is now very solvent. Was it Solvent when Lewis took over?

Be careful what you wish for people.

What I wish for is an end to franchises.

Why?

Perfect role for the Damo.

Kath Hetherington 8/13 favourite.

Warned ya.

Phil Clarke 5-4.

In an ideal world that would be the case, withe 14 teams in SL and the top teams in the Championship able to step up and replace theworst team. I reality that meant thr promoted team signing a good number of the players from the relegated team and dropping most of the players who helped gain promotion because they weren't considered good enough for SL. Players at relegated clubs had their contracts annulled.

The franchise system is about stability for the clubs involved, the investors in the game and the players. It is always going to have its opponents. The RFL will admit it's franchise system has had its problems but IMO the alternative would have been worse, although I cannot prove that.

Several clubs have moved to bette stadiums, mainly as a result of the franchise system where improvements in facilities have been part of the process.

IMO Richard Lewis has been an improvement on previous chairmen and has tried to bring the game forward. Maurice Watkins sounds like a good replacement. Lets hope he lives up to his billing. He seems to be involved in several other activities so I hope hiscommitment is of the required level to continue developing the game in the interim until a new CEO is appointed.

This would appear to be the dream move for Lewis.
I for one wish him well.
I also think that he deserves thanks for the changes he's wrought in the financial position of the RFL. IIRC they'd just overseen a disastrous world cup that left the organisation in debt to the tune of £2million.
We'll be lucky to attract as effective a CEO next time.
Clearly IMV certain club chairmen (knowing Lewis was leaving, he must have had to give more than a month's notice & he starts his new post at the end of this month) are setting their stall out in advance of any new appointment.
GH has been remarkably silent on this, I wonder why?

Possibly pessimistic? Lewis has been ok in my book but getting someone as good or better's not out of the question.

This is a great move for Richard Lewis, and a potential disaster for the RFL and Superleague.

A voice of calm and reason is leaving and I've got a nagging feeling that he's returning the keys to the asylum back to the lunatics.

Hopefully the game will use its common sense and bring in another independent Chief Executive who will treat the game as a business that needs to survive, and not a plaything that can be tinkered with at every opportunity.

I hope that I am wrong but only time will tell.

Richard Lewis is the Chairman of RFL, not the Chief Executive who is Nigel Wood.

I agree that this could be a potential disaster for the RFL and Superleague.

Good spot.

I think he's been good for the game and has worked hard to take the game forward and raise the profile. I haven't agreed with everything but on the whole I'm pleased. Let's hope we fill the position with someone who can continue his work.