The Video Ref wrote:
Genuine question -
Do 'we' (as a collective of fans) feel any obligation (if only a moral one) to the several thousand people who turned out to watch TWP every other week over the last couple of years?
What sort of message does it send to them if people on this side of the pond want them to fail?
It's their fans I feel for, many of which will have now become emotionally 'invested' in TWP & RL, maybe not to the extent of a 10, 20, 30, 40 year Fev, Leigh Hull or Batley fan but yes, it's the fans who suffer.
There is zero "obligation" to keep Toronto in Super League *especially as a U.K Club would suffer immediate ejection from SL to a lower league*, however I do believe there is a place for Toronto but that it should start again from Championship to save the integrity of the sport.
For all the smoke & mirrors , of which there are many, the Canada project should be given a chance, this would be helped by the ownership of TWP actually playing by the rules instead of attempting to force changes of rules in their favour with last minute embarrassment to the sport *not just this episode* , by paying their bills & by employing honesty rather than the deceipt they have shown since inception.
I have always disliked it but time for a 'New' open & transparent "Franchise" system whereby Toronto & A.N.Others can be invited on solid criteria & whereby abuse, deception & non compliance is rigorously punished. It's time that solid business plans, on field performance, stadia, attendance, community participation, academy's & ambition was rewarded & that hangers on were ejected.
Toronto have a place, that place should be temporarily involve demotion from Super League.