Franchise

Does everyone think we are nailed on for a franchise, Myself i am not completely confident about it, I know we got 6 points on the boots an all assessment but that carries no weight with the RFL, When you look at some of the other clubs who have applied it doesn't look so cut and dried, Widnes for example look to have a case as strong as ours as do Salford and Leigh with both their stadiums coming on line in the near future, Add to this the fact that W Yorkshire is overstocked with clubs and one or even two of these look at least as good a proposition as us. Then look at Wakey and Cas, as far as i can see the only edge we have over them is we have a new stadium, Both are working hard to sort this and i believe Cas are ahead (not sure) Over all of this the RFL have a declared intention to expand the game, Now as we all know the existing Super league clubs are only going to stand for so many teams diluting their Sky cash, so in view of all this what are your thoughts, I'm not sure how much results on the field count in any one off season, but i can't help feeling it would be a lot better to be nearer the top than bottom, Thoughts anyone.

I think the whole history thing will certainly lend a hand, as too will our sponsorship with the University.

Added to that we have arguably one of the best and largest capacity stadiums in Rugby League and i think we will be a nailed on cert.

Sturl wrote:

I think the whole history thing will certainly lend a hand, as too will our sponsorship with the University.

Added to that we have arguably one of the best and largest capacity stadiums in Rugby League and i think we will be a nailed on cert.

Hope you are right Stu, The stadium as you say is a big asset, But there are more and more new ones coming now and the Stadium only counts as one point as far as i know.

At the Express meeting last night with Ken Davy and Paul Morgan they were very confident we would get in and we would be a category B. which should ensure entry. although they did feel that the rfl were continuously moving the goal posts.
Crowds were a big issue though so clubs with smaller stadiums had a better chance of the one point being given.
Also Ken pointed out it was only a 3 year franchise and all clubs will be kept on their toes and any drop in standard could result in a new team taking that place.

CA wrote:

At the Express meeting last night with Ken Davy and Paul Morgan they were very confident we would get in and we would be a category B. which should ensure entry. although they did feel that the rfl were continuously moving the goal posts.
Crowds were a big issue though so clubs with smaller stadiums had a better chance of the one point being given.
Also Ken pointed out it was only a 3 year franchise and all clubs will be kept on their toes and any drop in standard could result in a new team taking that place.

Thanks for that CA, I am just a bit concerned that there may be quite a lot of Cat B clubs and there are only so many places.

Wow, CA. Great to hear from you again. Seem to have been writing that quite a lot recently.

We must also look at the University as well, every year 30,000 students attend, with the tickets being £5 each and then staff tickets at £7.50 the Giants have seen a big increase in their crowds. Since we aren't winning and are on the fringes of Leeds and Bradford the sponsorship from the Uni is a real coup and i would imagine both the team and Uni benefit each other in big ways.

This must be taken into account, since the goal is 10,000 and the 20 mile radius thing - who else apart from the 2 obvious can claim the same increases in their crowds. In reality Bradford and Leeds are certain, it might be between us and Wakefield but lets be honest we would beat Wakefield in just about everything.

Laurie, great to hear from you again mate. Ill bet you a nice cold pint and some pie and peas at the Shoulder that we get a franchise

Sturl wrote:

We must also look at the University as well, every year 30,000 students attend, with the tickets being £5 each and then staff tickets at £7.50 the Giants have seen a big increase in their crowds. Since we aren't winning and are on the fringes of Leeds and Bradford the sponsorship from the Uni is a real coup and i would imagine both the team and Uni benefit each other in big ways.

This must be taken into account, since the goal is 10,000 and the 20 mile radius thing - who else apart from the 2 obvious can claim the same increases in their crowds. In reality Bradford and Leeds are certain, it might be between us and Wakefield but lets be honest we would beat Wakefield in just about everything.

Laurie, great to hear from you again mate. Ill bet you a nice cold pint and some pie and peas at the Shoulder that we get a franchise

I am not betting on us not getting one , but i dont feel it is nailed on, You can still buy me some Pie and peas though.