The move of millenium magic is pretty much because they've raised the profile of rugby league in Wales and i'm sure they knew Celtic were nailed on for a licence so have decided to spread the game elsewhere. Also the robbing Cardiff bar stewards and Hotel owners have shot themselves in the foot.

I said months ago, it was part of a master plan, everyone has the mentality now of going to South Wales on the ale for a weekend, as soon as MM took off they moved the venue but gave you another reason to go back down wales. They have cleverly cultured everyone to think that a Welsh trip is the norm now.

I wouldn't be surprised if Edinburgh starts to put a team together

I'll bet you 2/1 Padders will still go to Bridgend next season for our away game with the Crusaders, despite all the complaining that the RFL is corrupt.

Actually, that's quite a libellous statement. I wonder if anyone from the RFL is reading this...........

Oh I love it when idiots shoot themselves in the foot.

Widnes 29/03/2005 attendance 10,061

London 17/07/2005 attendance 10,146

oops.

Am i right in thinking you are a taxi driver? How about using a minibus and charging to take people to the games? That way you get to see the game and are still working. Although saying that i beleive there may be issues licence wise but even if there is you could always go to the game and work afterwards which i imagine would benefit you money wise as there is always call for taxi's on a Fri and Sat night.

I was somewhat disappointed with the decision by the RFL to give a franchise to Celtic at the expense of Widnes and the other clubs but on reflection...........

I was dead against "Summer rugby"............. I now hold my hands up and think it was a fantastic move.

I thought the idea of the introduction of "A Froggy" team was a ludicrous backwards step..............The visit to France is now the highlight of my year.

I thought Millennium Magic was a white elephant!...........It wasn't!

The RFL have taken much critisism today and I have sympathy for those clubs who have missed out. However in view of my previous errors of judgement I'm gonna hold my hands up and say ok RFL I'll go with this............... and I'm looking forward to it!!

Yes.... Pretty sure Mansfield have a team though: Mansfield Storm they are now i think.

10,061 is quite a good crowd really considering it was a Tuesday night and it was on Sky.

Here comes another PY/ISTBI debate

....

Anyway, just pointing it out as it is relative. Though PadWire does border on idiot territory, can't disagree with you there.

Try reading the statement properly then & you will see why Widnes & Leigh were felt not yet ready. For what it's worth, my own belief is that it was between those two teams & Salford for who got the franchise alongside Celtic who with their location provide far better opportunities to expand & strengthen SL/RL than any of the M62 applicants.

I have said I will watch Warrington in SL, in a pan-European SL, in a World SL or in National Leagues/Conferance. Yes I want my club to be at the top table & no I wouldn't be happy if we weren't, but they are my club regardless of their league. We are about 5 years ahead of Widnes/Leigh in our off the field situation for being in own stadium/financially viable/community programmes etc & for those reasons we are into the next generation of SL 3 years ahead of those two.

I have no doubt that the next issue of franchises will see Leigh, Widnes & Halifax providing stronger applications than this time around - maybe Bradford, HKR, Wakey, Cas will be the teams on edge next time round?

Still waiting on your proof of corruption - or are you going to forward that evidence onto the police for investigation?

Ah well thanks for all the messages from some of the wire folk but it wasnt to be.

Bearing in mind neither Salford nor Leigh are picking up the tabs for building their respective stadiums. They may have to chip-in for the fit-out element of the stadiums, which, I would imagine, is comfortably offset against the maintenance costs of The Willows and Hilton Park respectively.

Leigh have survived, comfortably, being outside SL, having visited only once in eleven years.

Don't lose sight of the fact it is only three years. Twelve months ago, it was debatable whether Widnes Vikings would exist, full stop.

IF I had 25k to invest in one yes but I haven't . there are no issues licence wise as I already have my own operators licence it is just the set up costs tbh or I would have done that by now .
Nice to hear off someone with a sensible view though

Just been reading the Widnes board.

Look's like Dalton is about to slit his wrists.............

Yes I got the impression he was a little bit upset by the decision!

I feel for them and wanted them to make a return. Nonetheless, the topic that 'kindly requests no posts from Celtic fans' is the best. What a topic name that is!

I think this is a sad day in that Widnes were not admitted.

They have a good stadium and a strong fan base (OK current team is gash). Financially it would be better for us, Saints and Wigan as we all would have big crowd derbies. We do not with Salford or CC.

I do not expect CC to be around in 3 years time.

These things happen.

But to hope that Rugby League dies? That's a pathetic statement in itself.

Jeez, anyone would think the world has just ended.

I can understand them being frustrated but some of their comments are a bit over the top.

They must have known that the position they found themselves in at the end of last season they would be unlikely to be successful in their application

Interesting statement, may I ask why?

Yes you may.

All previous attempts at establishing RL in South Wales have been failures.

The fan base there is for Union and it will be for ever.

I expect Cetic to go the same way as Cardiff last time and all other incarnations.

Like it or not RL in the UK is primarily centred around the M62.

Edited for contemplation

Sorry if its been mentioned, But will the play-offs still consist of 6 teams?

Fair enough, but...

Before Catalan (who are a massive success) there have been a few French teams who have failed.

Personally, I think it is RU strongholds that need assaulting. The fans down there already prefer rugby to football. We just need to show them how dull their game is in contrast to ours.

Of course the game is centred around the M62, the northern union and all that - but we have seen London/Quins up until recently perform reasonably well. As I have mentioned, Les Cats are a runaway success at the mo and Wales is a massive untapped area also.

I can see your point though, I would have thought Widnes had a stronger bid than them, even without the expansion policy.