I have just had sight of a document - which to the best of my knowledge is official - issued by the RFL at the beginning of July to all clubs.
It sets out the criteria on which clubs will be judged next year if they choose to apply for a Super League licence in 2009.
As a loyal fan and season ticket holder, think it is time for the Directors to be open and truthful with us for once to advise exactly how the club will meet these criteria, or whether we are not even going to both to apply for a Super League licence in 2009.
Additionally, us fans are being asked to contribute ?100 towards the new stands, looking at the criteria these would seem to be no longer adequate!
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RFL CRITERION FOR APPLYING FOR A
SUPER LEAGUE LICENSE IN 2008
Home stadium must meet Super League minimum standards
Home stadium must be owned or have a written contract with the owner with a minimum tenure of five years
Own training facilities or have a written contract with the owner with a minimum tenure of 12 months
The stadium must:
Have a capacity of 8,000, 2,500 of which must be under cover and have 1,500 seats
Have directors box of 50 and VIP seats for 50
Floodlighting to a standard of 1000 lux
Disabled facilities for 20 wheelchairs & toilets
Public bar for 500
Electronic scoreboard
Pull out tunnel
Dug outs to hold 12
Second dressing rooms
Press box for 30
Photographers room
Treatment room
Doping control room
Gantry ? facilities to meeting TV charter
Studio ? to meet TV charter
Boardroom to hold 40
Players lounge to hold 50
Corporate Sponsors Lounge to hold 500
Parking for directors, officials and team coach
From a finance and business management perspective, the audited minimum turnover should be ?2m and a full-time CEO/general manager should be appointed.
There must also be a strategic marketing plan, community development programme and a media management programme. You must also be in NL1 to apply for a license.
