Edited for accuracy.

I think for Halifax to get admitted into Super League they will need to improve their crowds. At the moment they just aren't big enough to suggest that they will be any higher than they were last time around. Another 1500 or so would do your application a world of good.

I feel for Fax as they are in an area even more claustrophobic than Widnes' is. Therefore they will really have to present a good case. I don't think a stadium on it's own is enough.

If you continue to dominate the league next year though that will only help your application.

Quote ="Standee"Have you any evidence that they do have the funding secured?'" Apart from the fact that the project is progressing? www.castigers.com/cgi-bin/news.cgi?773_9195 www.castigers.com/cgi-bin/news.cgi?761_594610

Quote ="Standee"Have you any evidence that they do have the funding secured?'" Apart from the fact that the project is progressing? www.castigers.com/cgi-bin/news.cgi?773_9195 www.castigers.com/cgi-bin/news.cgi?761_594610

I was under the assumption that Salford had full planning permission and stadia design. That would make them further along than Cas in my book.

The council have approved the new road access, and a pedestrian footbridge to the town centre. The site has been cleared and tenders have been invited for the building work.

I love Fax as a rugby league venue. Everything about the place is top class. I even like the baby blue and white hooped kit, very easy on the eye. I have some terrific memories of going to watch Saints win (usually) exciting games there as a kid, when Fax had the likes of Moana and Bentley.

I'd have them in now. They've got to be above Wakefield and Salford in the running, as have Widnes. (And there is no bitterness in there despite Saints recent results)

SL will want to have at least one new club in for next time. They will not expand numbers from 14 because this will lead to a hefty cut in Sky money. No SL club would vote for a cut in their SL money.

The success of Saints and the strategic value of Celtics mean the other 3 clubs are most vunerable.

The RFL have very publically put down a marker. Clubs and fans cannot say they did not know that grounds are a critical issue. A letter like this will have to be approved by the RFL board. The clear indication is that if your stadium is rank then you will not be considered.

The race is now on between 3 clubs. By Feb 2011 who will be furthest on with their stadium? With fax and Widnes likely to have strong bids - and good facilities - the 2 slowest SL clubs re stadia are likely to go.

They have been warned!

Quote ="tb"Apart from the fact that the project is progressing? www.castigers.com/cgi-bin/news.cgi?773_9195 www.castigers.com/cgi-bin/news.cgi?761_594610'" I think people are just at the stage where they won't believe anything until it's started being built. There's been so many announcements from so many clubs over the years about things like this and yet so many stadiums still haven't been built. I've no idea where the stadia are up to, I thought Salford and Saints were dead certainties yet they still aren't actually starting building work. I reckon Widnes winning the NRC will have done clubs like yourselves a favour. You can effectively go the council on Friday and say that if they want a Super League club in the town they need to build this stadium. Just a little bit of added pressure.

Quote ="tb"Apart from the fact that the project is progressing? www.castigers.com/cgi-bin/news.cgi?773_9195 www.castigers.com/cgi-bin/news.cgi?761_594610'" I think people are just at the stage where they won't believe anything until it's started being built. There's been so many announcements from so many clubs over the years about things like this and yet so many stadiums still haven't been built. I've no idea where the stadia are up to, I thought Salford and Saints were dead certainties yet they still aren't actually starting building work. I reckon Widnes winning the NRC will have done clubs like yourselves a favour. You can effectively go the council on Friday and say that if they want a Super League club in the town they need to build this stadium. Just a little bit of added pressure.

Ground works have been a primary excavation of the land. Nothing to do with the proposed stadium. In theory anything can be built on that land at this moment.

Where is your source that says in 5 months that Stadium work will begin? Its all right saying it on here to make your argument look good but reality is a different thing.

In 5 months your talking about stadium architectural design been complete, Full planning permission applied for and approved. Then allocation of all building contacts before any work can commence. This is assuming all funding is fully in place.

Remember it was Richard Wright that said 2 years ago he expected the stadium to be complete by October 2008.

I'm not saying you won't eventually get your stadium, just don't believe the hype the Cas PR machine churns out.

A very long road lies ahead for teams after new stadiums in the current climate at least be realistic.

Iwas under the impression that even with the new stand at the Shay, the capacity of the ground would be 10500. Therfore, you need to un-tick that box as the minimum requirement for SL is 12500

The RFL would look very silly if Widnes didn't get a licence, they have been using the ground for years for internationals, cup semi finals and NL grand finals. And the new regime under Steve O'Connor has certainly added the neccessary professionalism and stability.

im taking that no as an answer to my question.

its fine if you dont want to back it up with cash.

if i were a cas fan, i wouldnt either.

Quote ="tb"Apart from the fact that the project is progressing? www.castigers.com/cgi-bin/news.cgi?773_9195 www.castigers.com/cgi-bin/news.cgi?761_594610'" so it seems that full planning approval hasnt been granted, that its only the outline approval thats been given?

Quote ="tb"Apart from the fact that the project is progressing? www.castigers.com/cgi-bin/news.cgi?773_9195 www.castigers.com/cgi-bin/news.cgi?761_594610'" so it seems that full planning approval hasnt been granted, that its only the outline approval thats been given?

Your attempt to change the subject when asked to back up your accusation is noted.

they wont expand to 16 teams either because of lack of player depth to cover it and a desire to get imports down.

SL should stay at 14 for a while now.

a few current SL clubs should be kicked out given their failure to grow from last year and a failure to deliver promises in their bids.

clearly wakey and salford are top of the list.

im guessing there is a lot of stuff you read on internet message boards which you agree with which you dont ask for a link.

when you read something you dont like you raise that furphy.

hence my comment to bet on it.

easy. im willing to back my views in a bit of cash for charity.

But not with facts. Fair enough.

money talks. in this case, silence is golden.

c'mon, whats a 50 pounds bet? even for a tight yorkshire man

C'mon – what's so difficult about backing up your statement that "reports suggest a financial hole in Cas's plans" by actually providing those reports: even for a congenitally untruthful Ocker?

The fact that things are progressing is positive, but it isn't an indication that the funding is fully secured.

the only club with a chance at a new stadium by the next round of franchising is st helens.

all the rest will just dust off their fairy tale plans for next time and hope they con the RFL.

the RFL wont have the guts to kick them all out so will pick the worst 1 or 2 of the lot

*cough* Bradford

buckleys mick.

edit : bradford dont need a new ground to get into SL anyway. its cas, wakey and salford that are the ones.

That is only because the North Stand is currently at reduced capacity due to insufficient toilet facilities. To sort that out would not cost much, either with temporary or permanent facilities, and this would take us over the threshold.

[urlhttp://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/local/Halifax-RLFC-Fax-buoyed-by.5480910.jp[/url

To quote Halifax Chief Executive Graham Clay:

"There are some concerns that we must address, but fortunately the stadium is not one."

In what sense could Fax be above the team sitting 5th in SL, with their U18's team TOP of the league, with reasonable rather than spectactular crowds, with a leading Community programme and a proven corporate track record???

Wakefield's major failing is the overall state of the stadium, which is only a portion of the franchising criteria.

The same balance is needed when mentioning Cas and HKR who are also performing well on and off the field.

Salford are clearly in trouble and Crusaders are developing slowly.