Go and check out the attendences of Hull FC pre and post KC stadium.

How long is a piece of string.

Oh look the troll is back. Do you ever post on the Wakefield forum?

Right I have watched this thread long enough and think I should put my 10p in.

I think that the RFL had no real choice but to talk tough about grounds being an integral part of the next round of licence applications and that is what they are doing. To be fair I think that Wakefield, Cas and Salford fans get that and understand the long term importance of improving ground standards for a modern game... as do all other SL clubs to be fair. I think the fans that I have met from Wakefield, Cas & Salford understand that if they don't get substantially under way to deliver new grounds before the end of the 2012 season then they are very likely to not get a licence and given the modern facilities at Widnes, Halifax then they have very little in the way of credible argument.

Now, what is interesting about this whole process is that I think that the RFL don't want any of the three clubs to fail if possible, but I think they just think one of them probably will! If they do then it is a no-brainer for the RFL and the club that fails is going to be out. However, what happens if all three get under way in time, sign contracts, start on site with developments and satisfy Savills that the ground will be finished and they have the money!!! This is where it's gets tricky and where it could get messy!

You, your developer, your local council etc have all done their bit and the ground is going to be finished and opened during the 2012 season, you have based your business plan and forward financial predictions on retaining Super League status and investments (large ones!) have been made on the basis of that plan. Do you really think the RFL has got the balls to pull the plug on developments and sums of money far in excess of it's own turnover and that the money men/organisations involved are going to just say, oh well, that is fine, it is just one of those things! Rubbish! They let all three in and either let Widnes down or they up the comp by one team. If they don't the gloves are off and legal action will be swift to follow as they will have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

The things is though, will all three pull it off? They all look to be doing OK but the next few months will tell for sure! The RFL will sit it out till the last minute in March if they have to, but if they all pull it off, they will all stay and Widnes either come up into a 15 team comp or get let down... again!

Again, I'm only talking hypothetically here, using my own knowledge of the law, but where lawyers make hay is dissecting decision-making; ie, the human input. There isn't any human input with bottom goes down, and so there is nothing to dissect.

I agree on the broad point that clubs should accept their fate, and I was only putting a hypothetical viewpoint. For me, the good of the game comes first, over and above any club loyalty.

this is the wake forum isnt it.........
















might as well be

Oh I agree lawyers our out to benefit lawyers I think that is in no doubt.
But tb makes a good point and this just adds to the 'grey areas' I mentioned before.
Is any SL club going to risk taking the RFL to court only to find the courts rule against them? (I think you would win but nothing is certain when courts get involved).
Also lets not forget that that private developers dont develop sports grounds for the good of the club/sport the do it because they are getting something out of it.
If this development is started and the the RFL pull the plug on you I doubt the developer would even blink about it as he has still got what he wants.
Therefore if you were to go down that path you will probably be doing it alone.

Didn't you expect all this as the fall-out from Friday? Had it gone the other way you wouldn't seen hide nor hair of them.

And the Wakey forum would have been free of Cas fans?



To be fair, the heading of the discussion is "ground share", which sort of includes Wakey.

Now I never said that. We all know there are a couple of tools from each club that would be stirring it on either decision. The subject heading should really be changed now as it's long gone and not going to happen (we hope!)

insightful as ever