I was talking to my business partner who is very well connected with individuals at the RFL and he revealed some potentially worrying concepts that are been conjured up. What I am about to say is not fact at this stage, but it is been talked about.
In 2012, one of either Widnes, Halifax, Featherstone or Barrow (Batley have ruled themselves out) will be competing in Super League, fact. That means another 3 years of 'wilderness' for the remaining contenders...and everyone else.
The concept is in 2012 to have Super League at 14 teams, Championship with potentially 14 teams and then merge Championship 1 with the RL conference and split it into North and South divisions. The thinking behind it will no doubt be to instill a more professional set-up at Championship level with the ultimate goal being to have promotion and relegation between Super League and Championship. A licensing system would be introduced for clubs to enter the Championship from the North/South conferences.
The above is what I have heard so far, I don't know any further details apart from this concept has been mentioned by more than one individual at the RFL. I presume clubs would have to vote for such a movement anyway. The point I'm making is it seems the RFL are keen to continue pushing on developing the game in some form by restructuring our league systems. We can't afford to take it for granted that everything outside Super League will remain as is post 2011.
If, and I don't know how big of an if it is, this all came into effect, where does it leave us? Well starting next season on -9 and with a depleted squad doesn't fill me confidence that we will bounce straight back up again. If we don't, under this concept, there is a real chance that we may not make the cut of the 14 'Championship' sides and would therefore be doomed to Conference North playing the likes of Warrington Wizards.
I hope all of the above isn't true. If we were a top flying Championship club, then the whole concept sounds great. Almost professionalising a second league entirely in a bid to bridge the gap between the Championship and Super League and reintroduce promotion and relegation is a good concept. However we no longer have the status of being amongst the Championship elite so it could potentially have a damaging impact on us as a club.
If this is going to be the way the RFL want to move forward, then I can't see any other way for RL (at a high level) to be safeguarded in the long term in West Cumbria area aside from either a new team or a merger. I know many will shout 'NO' and simply dismiss such an idea, but the recent Cumbria game and this potential concept idea has certainly got me thinking.
Like I said, don't quote me on the above as been gospel truth. I never usually post things I've heard from someone, but this is something which I felt needed to be aired as it could impact not just our club, but the whole of West Cumbrian rugby league.
