i cant help thinking its a blessing in disguise that we are not in a position to apply for SL in 2012, i think once the licences are awarded there will be some very unhappy and spent up teams in our league.
the rfl have already stated that at least one NL1 team will get a place in 2012 , maybe more if they increase the number of teams or eject a couple team for lack of progress(cant see them ejecting more than one) so at most 2 places up for grabs
WIDNES...i think are nailed on they have everything in place now ,ground, youth set, finances,off pitch/community stuff and they were very hard done to last time around
The other place if there is one will be between the following
Toulouse who i think will get it regardless of there set up just cause they are desperate for another french team
Barrow who i think have come to the party too late, they have done really well on field, but the ground isn't there, neither is the youth set up and i don't thin having it in place with only say 6 months to go will get the rfl votes, and after widnes and mr vaughan i think the rfl will be uneasy with one man pumping in all that is needed to keep them going and the possible out come if it doesn't work out
FAXground will be ready, but have thrown all the money at the first team with no reserves again putting it in place with a few months to go will not work also is another club from that area going to expand the game.
FevWhile powell has done a great job , i think there heading for a big fall , their gates are less than ours yet look at their squad with ex SL players and rumours that they are throwing big money around for next season as well watch this space??, with cas and wakey near by then i think its a no again and their spending will catch up with them.
you could add leigh and eagles to the same mix although both i would say are rank outsiders for different reason
so when the 2012 teams are decided i think at least 3 of these 5 maybe 4 will not be in SL having spent sheds loads of cash trying to get their, will they be able to continue doing this for another 3 years until 2015 i doubt it
as for us i have said all along the dream of SL in nice but as long as we are in the championship playing competitive rugby i will be happy SL isn't all its made out to Be
intresting to see what fans of these clubs think 2012 holds for them if they dont get in to SL
