What I'm saying is that the payment to get the HMRC of there backs looks like it's been payed during this period. All very convenient!

Then that would mean that the HMRC hadn't made a mistake which leads directly back to my previous point.

I agree that the tax bill is a red herring, in that there wasn't one. But there are the still the other things that dog them, and as Klav Kalash has posted, a new company has been formed to carry on in the Super League next year, which fits in with the rumour that bigalf posted. The corners at Odsal are more level than the playing field that the RFL operate.

I agree that it would be bad for the RFL if the Crusaders went bang, but they are the ones who set the rules, and they seem ready to ignore them whenever the rules become inconvenient. To some extent, they are gambling with the future of the game. This is not to denigrate the expansion clubs, but they are never going to bring as much to the game as the area around Wakefield and Castleford in terms of support for the game and grass roots growth, and there is a risk that they will slowly kill off one part to grow a less fruitful plant somewhere else.

Just keep it fair. Let the RFL take up some of the slack for development, but have everyone competing on a level playing field, where the 14 teams in Super League are the best 14 teams at rugby.

Yes they have problems I agree.
I never stated otherwise but when someone starts saying that even the HMRC are in on the RFL's games then that is the time to start asking if the medication is high enough IMHO.
I dont mind DeeHell but if he had posted that on the VT he would have been torn to shreads IMHO.

Despite ALL the other MATters we disagree on - on this one you are pretty much spot on - the only thing I'm not sure of is whether there are 11 clubs against it.

Ralph Rimmer = egotistical maniac - that's IMO, but at a recent conference he confirmed that he believes in expansion - at whatever cost.

IMO there are two ways to decide on SL membership:

The first is a selection policy - i.e., someone (the major funder or the ruling body) gets a list of all the suitable applicants and they choose who they like.

The second one is to have a wholly transparent process of clubs applying and being scored openly on the criteria set.

What we now have is supposed to be option 2, but because the result is not what is wanted, what we really have is option 1, hiding behind option 2. It's all wrong!



In this instance though - we are better off with Lewis and Wood than the pratt left in charge in their absence!

The game is shagged, with that tennis loving clown is in charge nothing will change, apart from mebbe a team from italy getting in at our (or your expense).
Whoever gets to stay in Superleague will do so for only 3 years , then will be the target for relegation once again, whatever they achieve.
You have to face facts , neither Cas or Wakey fit in the Superleagues grand design .

GOD HELP RUGBY LEAGUE

But surely the clubs who objected aren't just going to sit back and let him do what he wants?

Is there anything official regarding the Crusaders doing what London did a few years ago?

I know, last year, they relocated the Franchise to North Wales, but I presume the new company also took on the liabilities.

If they have now changed their name again, only this time, writing off their debts, surely there has to be an agreement with the other clubs, as there was when London did it.

But, in a few years, ala London, they will be facing the same problem, only they (Harlequins) have a superb benefactor, who keeps taking the hits.

What you have to remember people was Redhall's original statement...

[iThe RFL has confirmed that, subject to fulfilling their minimum criteria, at least one Championship club will be awarded a Super League spot next March.The RFL has also confirmed Super League will stay at 14 clubs - leaving the current teams facing an anxious wait. [/i

The weasal words are "at least," which to my mind indicates that they are not adverse to promoting two, with Widnes clear favourites and possibly another. And whilst the smart money was on Salford/Wakie/Cas as the obvious candidates for the drop, there is another who is on the fringes.

That is of course Bradford Bulls, and their ground breaking £60 season ticket offer. Now, the more cynical amongst us may ponder that they only managed 7000 plus sales in the weeks up to the pledge counter being removed, and yet miraculously acheived 3000 in the last week prior to the announcement before the adoring masses at Odsal!

What can't be denied is that by sacrificing some short term financial revenue, the Bulls management team have played a blinder. By announcing 10000 plus sales, they have effectively removed their Club from the forthcoming shenanigans. Not even the clowns at Redhall will relegate a SL team that can show that level of sales. And if they can convert their loosing 12 match end of the season run into a winning one, they will be up there competing for honours once again.

Job done.

Unlike Salford/Wakie/Cas who have still to pour the first metre of concrete....

What are you talking about

I don't even know why you bothered bringing the subject of Bradford Bulls up. They were never in jeopardy of not getting a franchise. They were the glory boys a few seasons ago, and have the potential to get decent crowds. So I don't really see why you bothered raising their name as an issue / non issue. Anyway...

This Crusaders business doesn't really concern our bid anyway, we don't need to rely on other clubs shortcomings. Full steam ahead with Newmarket!

Exactly, Newmarket is our future. When that gets the go ahead we have no need to worry and I know the club are doing everthing to make sure this happens.
We have to worry and look after ourselves and not anybody else, with the new stadium we will be a strong club we have been in the past and this Citys only pro sports team will be in the future.

So what is wrong with a North Welsh Crusaders club in the Championship?Is that not expansion just the same?Oh no,silly me.It's got to be SL or nothing.

funny you should say that? Concrete pillers are being made as we speak on our site should'nt be to long before the steel is erected.

Interestingly... originally their were 5 minimum criteria for a championship club...
1) 2,500 crowds
2) Win NRC / Reach GF
3) 10,000 Capacity stadium (operational)
4) £1million turnover
5) Solvent since 2008....

However in the press release on the teams who can apply number 5 Solvency wasn't on there

the RFL certainly seem to have a habit of late of missing info off releases and things going missing from their site when scenario's change elsewhere somewhat!

Not on thread topic I know, but does No. 2 imply that Batley, Fev and Fax are ahead of Widnes there, so Widnes therefore do not fulfil all the criteria ?
I merely ask the question, and am not wishing ill on any team.

Won NRC in 2009



All criteria was based around 2008, 09 and this season but Salford took the lot in 08 playing Celtic in the final so basically just 2009 & 2010.

'Crusaders directors hope to enter administration by the end of the week.'

Is this some sort of joke to them now? Shows a real big problem if this is being seen as a good thing I mean WTF? God help the RFL in court for the image rights as I can't see the HMRC being too chuffed if they let Cru wipe off debt and take no action!

I could understand their hard stance with Blackpool based on getting HMRC on side showing that they are committed to all RL clubs paying bills etc.

The whole crusaders in super league episode has been a joke mate. Three seasons under what looks like it's going to be three different names and they've played at three different grounds. Clearly weren't ready for super league and have made the game a laughing stock once again. Actually it's not the clubs fault and I do feel for their fans. The blame lies firmly at the feet of the powers that be for basically frog marching them in to the top division and then assisting with payments to players (I know a relative of a cru player so know this to be true). Now it looks like they will be vending more rules to keep them here, the whole situation is way beyond a joke. The member clubs should boycott the league and demand a level playing field but none (including ourselves) will have the bottle to do so. Potentially letting a heartlands club go down the swanny for this joke of an expansion club Borders on criminal.

What makes me laugh is that the fans of clubs whose position aren't under threat when the next round of franchises come around try to justify why the expansion area teams should be kept in and why clubs like us should be booted out. My favourite is "you have been in existence for over 100 years so had 100 years to get it right and haven't" - The fact we have been around for so long even though we have had some very dark days, shows that there has been and is still a passion for the club in the district. You can't just manufacture generations of support.

Hopefully NM comes off and that is the catalyst for us to start growing as a club and cement our place in the top league, which we earnt on the field and have kept ever since by results on the field.

I'd kick Castleford out and replace them a club from Paris.

Cheers for that. I was wrongly assuming the reference was to the preceding year. I.e. in this case 2010/2011

I think, joke or not, that at the end of the day, RFL is Sky's passport to dishes elsewhere.
Pull the plug on expansion, and we are back to semi-pro RL.

And who is to say that is such a bad thing.

Is it really a passport to Sky dishes though? Seriously, how many Sky subscriptions are these so called 'expansion clubs' actually selling, now and in the future?

If there is a genuine desire to expand RL, someone should clean house at the RFL; they're a bleedin' joke and by extension, so is our sport.

1) Not sure on numbers, and probs not that many. However if it gets popular in pubs, etc.etc.

2) Sadly so true.