believe me pal it will go ahead without any problems from now on, the last time work was holted was due to change to the drawings, the original plan was for a 32 million pound iconic stadium, since goverment issues have arised over spending the council had to go for a cheaper 26 million pound scale down version. Still a nice lookin stadium all the same, as ive said the tender has been sold to lang orouke, they will start work in october and the stadium will be finished by late 2011.

Forgive our scepticism, but it has been how long since 'Framing the Future' and still some clubs are playing in grounds that simply aren't good enough after years of promises. We've heard things like this time and time again, you can hardly blame us for a few raised eyebrows even though your stadium does seem to be actually moving along.

Can someone tell me why grounds appear to be the number one criteria for entry to SL?.

And while we are at it, how many clubs own or even part own the grounds they so proudly brandish as their qualification trump card?

I have to say I suspect the RFL of manufacturing the situation whereby we all argue about each others grounds rather than uniting and asking difficult questions of the RFL around the sports governance, lack of international competitiveness and financial state.

It could have something to do with a letter that was sent to 5 clubs currently occupying SL berths by the RFL. It warned them that their currently grounds were inadequate and threatned consequences if they did not act on their promises.
FWIW I think the state of stadiums will play one of the roles in determining which teams can apply for a SL licence along with performance criteria for the championship clubs and this average crowd figure of 2,500 that has been raised by Halifax.

Just on this... I can't agree. How long ago was Framing the Future touted. How can the sport claim to be one of the premier sports in the country when some of it's teams are playing in their current stadiums.
Don't get me wrong I am a massive fan of old RL stadiums and used to enjoy going and standing at Central Park Wilderspool, Knowsley Road, Belle Vue etc but to entice new fans to the sport I think we need to modernise in this area.

Chris, I agree that there needs to be improvements in stadia at a great number of clubs. However the standards that are being touted are way beyond the requirements of all but 4 clubs in the country.

Personally I would cite financial stability, a quality development policy and history of consistent high performance on the pitch above a 12000 cpacity stadium with a boardroom capable of seating x and y amount of conferencing facilities etc.

The stadiums are not the product thats on sale, they are just part of the wrapping.

Not that you have a hidden agenda at all do you rugbyball?!







FWIW average attendance last season was 5892. So far with 4 home games to go we are at 6207.
The 4 home games to come are against Hull KR, Hull FC, St Helens and Warrington.

I personally feel it will be Widnes to replace either us, Cas or Salford.

Just had a look at some classic vids on Widnes TV, and with the memories, and the support so strong in Widnes down the years, the question is why the fook AREN'T Widnes in Super League now.

Because rugby league need to expand to survive and because of the position we were in at the time, it looked likely we would not get in over Crusaders.

Was discussing your club with a guy who is well in the know yesterday and he told me Widnes have already started recruiting for SL 2012.

They went into administration 9 months before the licensing. Another two months would have seen this wiped from Lewis & Wood's memory by an automatic flash wipe of a chip inserted into their brain.

Years behind certain fans then



Toulouse & Widnes if 2 clubs get in, who is number 1 choice is any ones guess.

Whether we get in or not I would certainly expect us to be basing our recruitment on Superleague 2012 with the proviso that should we be rejected again the contract is null and void.

This, you would expect applies to any club wanting to dine at the top table come 2012.

Barrow's very own Harvey Dent.

Spot on Chris...the criteria for the licenses will fit the clubs and not vice versa. Mind you Widnes will surely be accomodated on the strength of their stadium despite, as appears likely, never topping the championship table or winning the GF. Whereas even if Cas and Wakey again finish in the top 8 (remember if you can that we are talking about a sporting competition) there will be just one spot for the Wakefield area and as it looks as though both will struggle stadia-wise the RFL will probably offer a franchise to a merged club only:they are already sharpening the knives for Cas anyway with the imposition of fines for massively over-hyped crowd control problems. That will facillitate inclusion of Widnes (and one other if Cas/Wakey decided to go solo in NL) and retention of Salford. While I could live with the former (in view of past injustices/misfortunes suffered by the Chemics/Vikings) the latter would be hard to stomach on any level as would the continued pointless presence of Quins, Crusaders et al.