Well said Richard Lewis. That is what Super League should be. That is what licences will bring. Congratulations to the RFL for pulling it off. As we all know by now, the fourteen clubs have been announced and will participate in Super League next year. I think whether you like the announcement or not, the announcement was no real surprise. Celtic were favourites when the word ‘franchise’ was given a whole new meaning, and Salford will have promised the RFL a load of targets they will never hope to meet within the three years. The new stadium for example, will never be played in by 2010. A brick hasn’t been laid yet, and until that archaeological dig has finished there won’t be a brick in the ground, I would guess, until the beginning of next year. Therefore giving them twelve months to build it, inspect it and deem it safe enough to let two thousand people in. Let’s face it, twenty thousand is pushing the boat a bit. However, I would say their current stadium is better than Wakefield, Castleford and even Celtic’s.
So while Salford were favourites to join as soon as the applications went in, Celtic themselves caused much controversy and discussion amongst the fans as another expansionist club could possibly get into Super League, again. Were they needed? Should we have gone to Cumbria instead? Were Toulouse a worthier candidate? The answers being yes, yes and no. A Cumbrian side would have been nicer to have, but wouldn’t really be expanding. Rugby League has been played there since before Jesus’ time. There already is a fan base, albeit a small one, and the three clubs cannot create a successful application on their own. But, they seem to be reluctant to create a joint application which in my opinion would no doubt see a Cumbrian side in Super League instantly. Going further south, Toulouse’s inclusion would have seen an increased demand on supporter’s pockets. While Toulouse is probably cheaper and easier to get to, Catalan are established down there. So there is no need to take that away from the Perpignan locals who this season have seen sell out crowds and fantastic rugby league from their side. But back to Celtic, they have caused a burst of outcry from traditional heartland supporters, who see any move south of Sheffield as a step backwards. But its not just the traditionalists that a complaining. Sensible people are also wetting themselves on message board forums, radio phone ins and mid week magazine TV shows. They seem to think Widnes have been snubbed in place of Celtic, in similar vein Widnes were relegated to accommodate Catalan. The fact of the matter is, Celtic have the money, development according to their chief executive, and plans for a new stadium actually in Bridgend. Seeing as Wakefield, St Helens and Castleford are at a similar stage with their planning, there really was no reason to exclude them. As mentioned, Salford haven’t laid a brick yet.
As for Widnes’ exclusion, well it seemed pretty obvious to just about everyone except Widnes fans that their liquidation ten months ago is the reason they did not get in. Ten months is a long time, but in financial terms, its almost a millisecond. The club will have had to prove to themselves they are financially stable and that will be achieved in three years time. With the RFL coming out and saying today that if a National League club meets the qualifying criteria, they will be let in for the 2012 season. My only doubt is, how long will Steve O’Conner be hanging around now his club are stuck in the lower leagues? A year, maybe two? Will he even ride out the remainder of the season? Or will he do what the whole of rugby league pray he will do, and stick with the club until they get into Super League, and beyond?
As for Leigh however, their exclusion is more baffling than the rest. Why they were not even considered one of the favourites along with Widnes is a real mystery. They have the stadium and playing facilities, but with a rather cloudy financial record. However the main reason they were snubbed according to the RFL website, is due to player development being non existent. So basically, they have built their application on sand, and we all know what happens to people who build their houses on sand. So maybe their non-existence in Super League is a good thing. Either way, they really should have been considered more likely favourites than what they were.
So despite the sides in National League being tipped for time in the big league, there was the possibility that both Wakefield and Castleford would be dropped. However, this has not been the case. But why is this? While both clubs have poor stadiums, one is well managed financially and the other providing the competition with a wealth of talent in a prospering youth development system. This is without a shadow of a doubt the reasons no current Super League side was snubbed, as these two were the most likely to go. But, the RFL have stuck with the current crop hoping non of the existing twelve will be in a position where the governing body will have to decline any of these teams a place in Super League. However, there is concern that in 2011 (licence renewal date) one of these teams will not make the cut. But this will no doubt be down to lack of progression of a new stadium. As far as I know, Castleford have strong plans in place for a new stadium opposite the Xscape centre next to the M62 junction. Whereas Wakefield have very few plans in place (or at least not made them as public). This is a concern, but they have three years to sort themselves out.
So who was awarded what? What classification did each of the fourteen teams receive? Well, three clubs received A grade licences. These three come as no surprise as they are Hull FC, Leeds and Warrington. Bradford, St Helens and Wigan all got given B licence status, while the rest all got a C grade. I suppose Wigan were denied an A grade due to salary cap breaches, wheras Saints could have lost out on both salary cap and stadium standard. The same for Bradford.
So that’s it. The dust has settled from the eruption, now all fourteen teams will be looking forward to a new era in Super League history. An era that is more secure for any clubs long and short term planning. We await the new announcement in 2011.
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