SL Franchise Bids list revealed

[KiwiStorm]

Just having a look on Super League's site, saying that board is looking over the bids in June, and will probably announce the decision in July.

http://www.superleague.co.uk/page.php?id=375

 

[Evil Homer]

Very quiet on the news front... a few clubs getting their future stadium plans approved by council, but that's it. Not sure if the bids of Widnes, Leigh, Halifax etc will get much real consideration at the present time?

No obvious existing club (I include Salford in that for 13 teams) not meeting the criteria (as best I can understand it), so it will be a matter of how much they meet criteria... as to whether the RFL dumps an existing club in favour of both of accepting Celtic and Toulouse, or whether they keep the current 13 for the next three years and just starts one expansion club.

Someone mentioned on a thread somewhere that "this was franchise week", but I'm not sure announcement is due before the end of June, and after (or at?) the France v England test being held in Toulouse...

Wakefield and Castleford could be in trouble - most people seem to reckon the RFL will only include one of these two, but I reckon both will be in. I think Widnes have as good a chance as anyone, they have a better stadium and get bigger crowds in NL1 than Salford do. Toulouse have been written off by most I think after a shocking season in the LER, I would be very surprised to see them in.

 

[bartman]

Interesting. Widnes must've really picked themselves up in the off-field stakes since last years events (which I think included a stint in financialadministration?). At that point I thought Salford would come in a step above Widnes, despite the ready made stadium and decent crowd support.

I'm coming around to the idea that the merits of a second French team to the game at this stage are less than those of a team based in Wales (in terms of Sky revenue etc), and that the Toulouse proposal might need more than a one off test to help it get legs amongst the people there. So maybe a marker set for three years time, which gives the RFL time to sort out the Wakey/Cas situation when both are included.

 

[dallymessenger]

Interesting. Widnes must've really picked themselves up in the off-field stakes since last years events (which I think included a stint in financialadministration?). At that point I thought Salford would come in a step above Widnes, despite the ready made stadium and decent crowd support.

I'm coming around to the idea that the merits of a second French team to the game at this stage are less than those of a team based in Wales (in terms of Sky revenue etc), and that the Toulouse proposal might need more than a one off test to help it get legs amongst the people there. So maybe a marker set for three years time, which gives the RFL time to sort out the Wakey/Cas situation when both are included.

apparently widnes are scoring well in the franchise stakes, and putting pressure on cas and wakey as well. i think that because they were insolvent 6 months ago, they should wait to allow probably the current 12 plus salford and crusaders.

if widnes do get in, i doubt it will be over salford or crusaders, but more likely cas / wakey / hull kr.

i think if toulose do get into sl now they will go fine, but comments from the rfl dont give me much confidence

 

[Evil Homer]

Interesting. Widnes must've really picked themselves up in the off-field stakes since last years events (which I think included a stint in financialadministration?). At that point I thought Salford would come in a step above Widnes, despite the ready made stadium and decent crowd support.

I'm coming around to the idea that the merits of a second French team to the game at this stage are less than those of a team based in Wales (in terms of Sky revenue etc), and that the Toulouse proposal might need more than a one off test to help it get legs amongst the people there. So maybe a marker set for three years time, which gives the RFL time to sort out the Wakey/Cas situation when both are included.

Going into administration has helped Widnes if anything - they now have a millionaire owner willing to invest in the club. They don't even lose a point for being insolvent because of that, I think the RFL really need to review the scoring system and maybe implement a sliding scale at some point in the near future. Thinking about it, the current 10 point 'checklist' system has some massive flaws.


Agree about the French.

 

[The Clan]

St Helens have just been given the go ahead for their new stadium and Cas & Wakefield are making good progress towards new stadiums too.

I think that all the existing twelve clubs will get a licence this year with Widnes and Salford also being admitted.

celtic, Leigh, Toulouse will all be asked to wait for 2011/12 before making a more comprehensive bid for a franchise.

Even then I think the SL will be expanded to 16 teams leaving only one applicant out in the cold.