Which clubs should be added to Super League in 2012 + 2015? : Thu Apr 23, 2009 3:16 am  

Richard Lewis has said last year that there is no limit on the number of clubs that can be given a Super League license in subsequent rounds.

It is starting to look like the next round of Super League licenses are going to go to Toulouse and at least one English club. It also looks like there is no way that a Cumbrian team can be added because no one club is viable financially or in terms of players and spectators and stadium, and a combined team is not viable because of distances between clubs. It also looks like there is no way for Featherstone to get a license because there are already much stronger candidates nearby in Castleford and Wakefield, and five west Yorkshire clubs are enough in a competition that aspires to be national and international. Halifax also seems to be not viable for some of the same reasons.

If you exclude Cumbria, and any new west Yorkshire clubs other than the existing ones, then which clubs would you like to see added in 2012 and 2015? Of course financial backing is crucial and we cannot know which of the potentially financially viable clubs will get financial backing in time. So leave current financial backing aside. This is a question where you would like to see new potentially viable franchises.

I have listed clubs that I think the RFL would be interested in. I seriously doubt that Leigh is a candidate that they are interested in, because of its finances and proximity to Wigan. I also doubt that the RFL will add both Sheffield and Doncaster by 2015 because of their proximity and the competing demands of other geogaphic areas.

I am also sure that only clubs that first participate in the Championship are going to be considered, so that of continental European clubs only Toulouse can be considered for 2012. Any candidate for 2015 woud have to be a participant in the Championship by 2013 at the latest. So, if any more continental clubs, or Scottish or Irish clubs, are to become candidates, they have to prepare a candidate for the Championship soon.

Please divide your choices between
(a) minimum two to maximum four Anglo-Celtic
and
(b) minimum two to maximum four continental European,
and
(c) limit the total number to a maximum of six (6) on the grounds of likely availability of quality players by 2015:

Anglo-Celtic

Widnes
Sheffield OR Doncaster
Gateshead-Newcastle
London II
Edinburgh
Glasgow
Dublin
Belfast

Continental European

Toulouse
Paris
Lyon-Rhone
Avignon OR Vaucluse (Avignon and Carpentras)
Marseille
Barcelona

Re: Which clubs should be added to Super League in 2012 + 2015? : Thu Apr 23, 2009 3:31 am  

Alice's Phallus wrote:

Richard Lewis has said last year that there is no limit on the number of clubs that can be given a Super League license in subsequent rounds.

It is starting to look like the next round of Super League licenses are going to go to Toulouse and at least one English club. It also looks like there is no way that a Cumbrian team can be added because no one club is viable financially or in terms of players and spectators and stadium, and a combined team is not viable because of distances between clubs. It also looks like there is no way for Featherstone to get a license because there are already much stronger candidates nearby in Castleford and Wakefield, and five west Yorkshire clubs are enough in a competition that aspires to be national and international. Halifax also seems to be not viable for some of the same reasons.

If you exclude Cumbria, and any new west Yorkshire clubs other than the existing ones, then which clubs would you like to see added in 2012 and 2015? Of course financial backing is crucial and we cannot know which of the potentially financially viable clubs will get financial backing in time. So leave current financial backing aside. This is a question where you would like to see new potentially viable franchises.

I have listed clubs that I think the RFL would be interested in. I seriously doubt that Leigh is a candidate that they are interested in, because of its finances and proximity to Wigan. I also doubt that the RFL will add both Sheffield and Doncaster by 2015 because of their proximity and the competing demands of other geogaphic areas.

I am also sure that only clubs that first participate in the Championship are going to be considered, so that of continental European clubs only Toulouse can be considered for 2012. Any candidate for 2015 woud have to be a participant in the Championship by 2013 at the latest. So, if any more continental clubs, or Scottish or Irish clubs, are to become candidates, they have to prepare a candidate for the Championship soon.

Please divide your choices between
(a) minimum two to maximum four Anglo-Celtic
and
(b) minimum two to maximum four continental European,
and
(c) limit the total number to a maximum of six (6) on the grounds of likely availability of quality players by 2015:

Anglo-Celtic

Widnes
Sheffield OR Doncaster
Gateshead-Newcastle
London II
Edinburgh
Glasgow
Dublin
Belfast

Continental European

Toulouse
Paris
Lyon-Rhone
Avignon-Vaucluse
Marseille
Barcelona

It doesn't matter, some clubs will be out on their feet after 3 years of getting tonked on poor attendances due to performances and the recession.

Give every franchise to Toulouse. You know thats what you want everyone to answer !!

Re: Which clubs should be added to Super League in 2012 + 2015? : Thu Apr 23, 2009 3:43 am  

Snowy wrote:

It doesn't matter, some clubs will be out on their feet after 3 years of getting tonked on poor attendances due to performances and the recession.:

Snowy wrote:

Give every franchise to Toulouse. You know thats what you want everyone to answer !!

That is unintelligible nonsense and not even remotely funny (except perhaps to the village idiots "vastman" and "Roofs.").

I want people to say what they feel. There are no right answers. I just want to know what other fans think in April 2009.

: Thu Apr 23, 2009 3:44 am  

I really want say Toulouse...


but Featherstone is my choice.

: Thu Apr 23, 2009 3:56 am  

underground wrote:

I really want say Toulouse...


but Featherstone is my choice.

The Central Coast is my choice for the relocation of your failing NRL club.

I am sure that other fans have serious opinions.

: Thu Apr 23, 2009 4:37 am  

widnes and toulose will be in SL next time.

the only question to me is do they expand to 16 teams or do 2 teams drop off

people list wakey and cas as the likely suspects to be kicked out

for me the 2 current worst clubs are salford and quins.

if salford dont start on their ground then they should go.

halifax look like being a chance and leigh are quite disappointing.

down the track id like to see -

1. 2 more french SL clubs
2. gateshead
3. south yorkshire
4. midlands
5. scotland, ireland.

the biggest growth area for RL is france.

: Thu Apr 23, 2009 4:40 am  

and on nrl expansion just for fun :

in 2012 its going to be :

1. central coast bears.
2. perth or another queensland club

down the track we need.

1. 2nd nz side
2. png
3. 4 - 5 NRL clubs in queensland

10 years down the track NZ and france are going to be the big growth areas from today.

and PNG is a potential gold mine for the game

[Durham Giant]

Re: Which clubs should be added to Super League in 2012 + 2015? : Thu Apr 23, 2009 6:14 am  

Sheffield OR Doncaster
Gateshead-Newcastle
London II
Edinburgh


Toulouse
Paris


That should be enough to expand the game in France and prepare them for a French league with the top clubs competing in a European SL play off. Expansion in the regions will also be covered although i am disappointed that you gave no consideration to Leicester or Nottingham.

A scottish team would be enough to allow for a proper european four regions competition. I am sadly unable to find a place for an Irish club at the present time.

I wonder if we would be looking at a two conference competition with the best teams then playing off in a more convoluted play off competition similar to American football in the states.

Re: Which clubs should be added to Super League in 2012 + 2015? : Thu Apr 23, 2009 6:16 am  

[quote="Alice's Phallus"][/quote]

Look, we can't answer any of this yet until you answer our important questions.

: Thu Apr 23, 2009 6:30 am  

Widnes Vikings and Toulouse.