Championship Expansion

[nadera78]

Coventry also has three independent teams (not full clubs yet but maybe one day) playing RL. So there seems to some appetite for the game in that city.

 

[roughyedspud]

northampton RLFC will enter the championship 1 in 2013

http://www.loverugbyleague.com/news_6691-northampton-to-enter-championship-one.html

playing out of here

 

[CC_Roosters]

The news about Northamptons entry is outstanding and the football club seems to be very positive with all the right vibes coming from them.

If this works it is possible that other football clubs, particularly one team town club look at a similar operation. There are many stadia across the UK which go unused when the football season finishes and i would think that they would love year round tenancy of the ground.

If i were the RFL i would be out there talking to every club in the UK, getting a feel for the interest and what assistance they could provide.

 

[Teddyboy]

Wish Gateshead Thunder had there own ground.I noticed South Shields Rugby Union club Westoe are asking for people to support them as there are in National League 2 North,shame there wasn't a ground share with them.

 

[RedVee]

Just had a look on google maps. Northampton seems a fair way from the heartland.
Would this be considered an expansion area, or is there a fair bit of RL in the midlands?

 

[Evil Homer]

Just had a look on google maps. Northampton seems a fair way from the heartland.
Would this be considered an expansion area, or is there a fair bit of RL in the midlands?

100% an expansion area, as all the four new clubs will be, that's the whole point.

 

[Teddyboy]

Just looking at London Skolars website and admission to the game is £12.
Do you think thats too much.

 

[langpark]

you think that's bad? They're charging 15 for their pre-season friendly with the Broncos, which will no doubt be a 2nd string broncos side...

 

[Teddyboy]

you think that's bad? They're charging 15 for their pre-season friendly with the Broncos, which will no doubt be a 2nd string broncos side...

A fiver for adults and £2.50 for kids.

 

[VictoryFC]

Still, its the biggest club in the world. 15 doesn't seem too outrageous.

 

[Evil Homer]

Still, its the biggest club in the world. 15 doesn't seem too outrageous.

London Broncos.

Considering you can pay up to £6 for a pint in London, I don't think the prices are that bad.

 

[roughyedspud]

you can also pay £2 for a pint in london

 

[Teddyboy]

you can also pay £2 for a pint in london

Is for a Sam Smiths pint.

 

[VictoryFC]

London Broncos.

Considering you can pay up to £6 for a pint in London, I don't think the prices are that bad.

I'll get my coat. o Dunno why I thought the Broncos would do a pre season friendly in england...

 

[bowes]

Coventry also has three independent teams (not full clubs yet but maybe one day) playing RL. So there seems to some appetite for the game in that city.

They are 3 full clubs now. Coventry Dragons were already a standalonr club with zero links to Coventry Bears. Coventry Warriors were a feeder club last year to the Bears but are now a standalone club and the Bears have their own reserve team.

 

[nadera78]

They are 3 full clubs now. Coventry Dragons were already a standalonr club with zero links to Coventry Bears. Coventry Warriors were a feeder club last year to the Bears but are now a standalone club and the Bears have their own reserve team.

Good to see there is sufficient interest for clubs to develop locally like that. So much easier for players to be stay involved in the game when they aren't forced to travel huge distances for games every week. It also makes it more likely that support can be garnered for a semi-pro team.

 

[bazza]

you think that's bad? They're charging 15 for their pre-season friendly with the Broncos, which will no doubt be a 2nd string broncos side...

The venue for the pre-season match only holds a few thousand at most

 

[langpark]

Any news on the other 3 teams yet? Meant to be announced this month isn't it?

 

[bowes]

They're meant to be announcing one team a month but have had some delays. Bristol were expected to be announced 2nd but the bid has split into separate bids for Gloucester and Bristol. I expect one but not both to get in. Chester and Medway bids are withdrawn so we're left with Oxford (very little rugby league presence), Hemel (unsuitable ground) and Coventry (close to Northampton) competing for the last 2 spots. That's assuming they don't just go for 2 new clubs as was rumoured.

 

[Evil Homer]

They're meant to be announcing one team a month but have had some delays. Bristol were expected to be announced 2nd but the bid has split into separate bids for Gloucester and Bristol. I expect one but not both to get in. Chester and Medway bids are withdrawn so we're left with Oxford (very little rugby league presence), Hemel (unsuitable ground) and Coventry (close to Northampton) competing for the last 2 spots. That's assuming they don't just go for 2 new clubs as was rumoured.

Thanks, I was wondering about this. I had heard about the bid moving to Gloucester, but not a rival bid in Bristol? Doesn't really sound promising either way. From what I've heard about the backer, he seems a bit of a maverick and a dreamer. I think it was pretty much nailed on that the final two spots would go to Coventry and Hemel, with the RFL providing Hemel with a new grandstand to bring them up to requirements. Not sure why they don't just announce one of those two clubs now while the problems with Bristol are being sorted?