IMG were brought in to do a specific thing. Unofficially, of course, their remit was protectionism. Wow! Leeds, Wigan, St Helens, Warrington and the two Hulls (plus the RFL's pet project, Catalans) get a Grade A. Who'da thought it?
Bongser's read on the gradings (for what it's worth) is this: IMG looked for all the things that the preferred clubs had and that not many others did. They then allotted loads of points to those things. Job Done Sticker!
Trouble is that the rest of the rankings, as a result, are an absolute dog's dinner that makes them look like complete fools - or, maybe, shows them for who they are?
How long is it since Thunder called it a day - couple of weeks? Not long enough for IMG! Their graphic (or maybe that of the RFL) shows Newcastle six places above London. London are a Super League club on merit as they won the "MPG" last season - the fact that Bongser has always been against the RFL (& SkY's) Play Off shenanigans (as they used to say at the end of every episode of "Tales of the Riverbank") is a tale for another day. London are ranked 24th out of 36 (should be 35)! Yes, as a very bitter poster on Broncos' forum would tell you at length, there is a lot to do to improve the prospects of RL in our glorious capital - but having SL clubs visit every fortnight would surely help!
Bongser is told that Leigh's Challenge Cup win is not included in these gradings (and, it is to be assumed therefrom) their high league finish. Have IMG left one person (gender neutral) of circa 80 IQ to deal with things?
If IMG can't market themselves, how are they going to market our sport?
