I suppose it was never ruled out, except that I presume they will be judged on the same criteria as the Super League clubs.

Quote ="PHe"Talking of franchise applications etc www.code13rugbyleague.com/2011/0 ... o-decides/ Could someone interpret/explain the following extract: 'Although the board are set to confirm that one Championship club will definitely be awarded a Super League licence, the opportunity for the other two applicant clubs has not vanished. Rather, they will be assessed with the Super League clubs who submit applications in April 2011.' If it means what I think it means, (the 2 'losers' get another go when current SL clubs are assessed) then that's news to me.'" Yep Halifax and Barrow will be in the pot with the current 14 teams. Makes a mockary of the reasoning for bringing this weeks decision to this month rather then July, as if either of the two Championship clubs were successful in July they would struggle to get a team together for SL.

Quote ="PHe"Talking of franchise applications etc www.code13rugbyleague.com/2011/0 ... o-decides/ Could someone interpret/explain the following extract: 'Although the board are set to confirm that one Championship club will definitely be awarded a Super League licence, the opportunity for the other two applicant clubs has not vanished. Rather, they will be assessed with the Super League clubs who submit applications in April 2011.' If it means what I think it means, (the 2 'losers' get another go when current SL clubs are assessed) then that's news to me.'" Yep Halifax and Barrow will be in the pot with the current 14 teams. Makes a mockary of the reasoning for bringing this weeks decision to this month rather then July, as if either of the two Championship clubs were successful in July they would struggle to get a team together for SL.

... and thats not withstanding the RFL can invite applications from overseas teams.

If rumours are to be believed then thursdays announcement could be more of a talking point than first thought.

Thursday's announcement?

When the Championship team is announced.

Wat's the word on the street?

This is what Ted tried but a) He didn't have any money b) He didn't tell anyone

It's my understanding that there are two restrictive covenants on the sale and future use of the ground.

The first has been there since the land was bought/donated 100 odd years ago and states something along the lines of the sports club cannot be evicted and the land used for other means without there being an alternative home found for the club.

The second has something to do with sport England and the provision of sports & Athletic space, and again statescthat the land cannot be used for anything other than sports recreation unless it's replaced by land and facilities that match or improve on the existing provision.

Now I'm not cast iron certain that these covenants are still in force but I've heard that they are.

It wouldn't suprise me if there was an announcement to say more than 1 club will go down. like the majority of people on here I haven't a clue what our franchise application says about plan A,B or however many more there may be but I'm sure AG will have put forward a good argument for us to stay in SL. That said I resigned myself to enjoying 1 last season in SL then following the Wildcats in NL1 quite some time ago.

Big shake up or damp squib, we'll have to wait and see.

Are you willing to let us know what this potential shake up might involve?

Couldn't see anything in the deeds that suggested that though.

FYI This is the planning condition attached to the Cala Homes approval:

22. The development shall not commence until a replacement playing field facility of equivalent or better quality and subject to equivalent or better management arrangements has been provided in a location to be approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority and in consultation with Sport England.
To secure a replacement facility in accordance with Unitary Development Plan policy L3.

So that is something that the council could decide not to impose on a second planning application (ie, on whoever bought it next).

Yes that was my understanding of it too Clan

Will reveal all Friday morning

I can't wait, hope it is good news.

The closer it gets to decision day, the more i think the RFL are going to backtrack and increase the league to 16.
I think that this removal of any one heartland club while Crusaders are in such a mess has been very unpopular with the SL clubs, and to justify keeping Crusaders in, which the RFL expansionists want, they have had to cut a deal.
I think that Widnes will be allowed in on Thursday and some smoke screen will be caused to prolong the decision to bring in one from Barrow, Halifax and perhaps Toulouse ( a decision that has ready been ratified, a bit like the Widnes one!!)
Everyones sky money goes down, but all clubs have got two extra home games to claw it back, that will keep the big clubs happy as their matchday revenue is considerably higher, and the medium clubs happy as it gives them time to develop their matchday income and the smaller clubs are just relieved to still be in.
To me its common sense, but its just my guess.

My heart wants to agree,but the brain indicates you/we are straw clutching.
The RFL couldnt care less whether a decision they make is unpopular with heartland clubs -- so why would they start to care now?
They have reiterated time and again that super league will not be increased beyond 14 teams at this time,it would take a major climb down from that stance to go for an increase.Even if everyone agreed it was the correct decision,i dont believe the RFL would swallow their pride and backtrack.

Like you mate i dont think the RFL are that bothered, i just have the feeling that it is just so unpopular with the clubs and the supporters, who ultimately the RFL serve, that i think its more about not stirring up a wasps nest of ill feeling from within SL itself.

Do we know how much the SKY money is per club?

Say it's £2million that means £28million to share out between 16 clubs instead of 14 = £1.75million each. So clubs need to make £250,000 back over 2 extra games. At an average gate price (including concessions etc) of £15 = about 8300 speccies per game. So for Wigan, Leeds, Hull and maybe a couple of others they would be better off. Some clubs would be fairly close to break even point (Cas, Hull KR, Saints, Hudds) and some would be a bit worse off (eg Harlequins assuming 4000 crowds would be £130,000 worse off).

It could be a possibility given those numbers - your problem would be that the clubs likely to be worse off are the expansion clubs and would the RFL go for that?

Check Friday's date.

My prediction is that if it is Widnes on Thursday, it is just us going down. If it is anyone other than Widnes, it is us and Cas, as Widnes seem like a shoe-in (and if Widnes don't get in, what chance have we got of ever getting back in again).

I thought on paper, our Oakwell application seemed strong. Unless Eric Pickles sorts out the public inquiry in two months, I don't see a strong application at all. If it is based on Belle Vue and a hope of a future stadium, we are level with Cas, except they haven't had the financial problems we've had and there is no perception that they have reneged on stadium promises. They just haven't fulfilled them. We've got Queens Drive and Thornes Park on our record.

Toulouse better not get in. A trip there is my consolation prize.