Paul Youane wrote:
The biggest hurdle to a Cumbrian team being given a Super League franchsie are the Cumbrian Clubs themselves. None of them are big enough to support a team in itself or have the financial backing or infrastructure to do so. Yet the none of them are willing to work with the other clubs to address the problem by whichever means necessary (merger, overarching club with existing clubs as feeders).
But that's like asking Wakefield and Castleford to merge or Leeds and Bradford or (perish the thought!) Wigan and Saints. Why not work with the teams that are there?
I think the RFL have to give serious consideration to consolidation at some point. There does not seem to be a drive from Red Hall to support Gateshead or Sheffield, for example, which are teams that have survived inspite of maulings by the RFL and yet are in real expansionist areas. I think the likes of Barrow and Whitehaven, Gateshead and Sheffield should be given priority over Scotland even though I believe the agenda is all about 'the international game' at present. However, it's no good trying to force an issue. Surely that was tried in Wales and didn't work (unlike the present effort which seems to be reaping something, though only time will tell just how much).
If it was up to me I would actively promote and support those clubs in place at present and from them grow a GB team, with help given to the French sport also. Only soccer is truly worldwide. Just now we should focus on strengthening what has been achieved rather than risking ruining everything by overstretching ourselves. We're a minority sport with a minority sport's budget.
And I think having Magic in Carlisle would be great!
