Quote: Jimmythecuckoo "* We are here in five years (regardless of which division of professional rugby that is, but I would take the Championship). '"
That needs investment. My own view is that David Cardoza has been convinced by a FC employee that RL is a way of earning the football club monies during the football off season and the RL is on season. I'm not sure that after investing around £10million in a mediocre league 2 side that there is much to invest in a new sporting project, despite the positive noises coming out of NBC regarding the hotel development of the stadium.
Quote: Jimmythecuckoo "* We develop a core of players from Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire who blend well with the experienced heads we naturally need to bring in.'"
Demons the local RL community club have been doing that for a few years now. Have full time pro's, academy and scholarship graduates at SL and Championship 1 clubs already. I just question as to if they'll get a chance at Rebels if that is what the project will really be about and a lot will depend on how the relationship between them is developed.
Quote: Jimmythecuckoo "* Crowd levels show a consistent if not upward trajectory.'"
That'll depend on whether the FC can turn football fans into RL fans and whether the local RU fans are willing to give RL a go. Continued growth in gates will need to be supported by a few wins on the park. That's the tall order any coach appointed will have to deal with.
Quote: Jimmythecuckoo "Anything beyond that is fanciful.'"
Not wishing ill on the project but if a semi-pro "Rebels" is still in business in 10 years time then that'll the end of the beginning and the begining of a bright future.
The days a'la Sheffield Eagles when a club could go from idea to Challenge cup winners is long gone. Unless a modern day Gary Heatherington comes along that is.
Keep the faith and good luck. You'll need it.
