Now that the expansion dream apears to be a bit of an expensive failure what will now happen with Crusaders . As they actually decided to withdraw from applying for Super League will they actually be foisted upon us in the Championship. If they are will they be geting a parachute payment and an increased cap to go with it or what will happen.

Sky text says that they will now seek election to the championship. Election by who? If it is other championship clubs they should vote NO. I would rather keep what we have in our league and let the winners of Champ 1 join us.

Thats the big thing, who votes for their election in to our league? They offer nothing and make it hard for teams in this league to get a fair crack, so the teams would be stupid to vote to let them in.

I'd imagine it'll be teams in this League and Champ 1 who have to vote whether to accept them. Perhaps as fans we need to be pressuring our clubs not to?

At the end of the season, Chairman and Other Board Members (I know in the past Mr Steele and Mr Riley have attended) go off on what Mike R described as a bit of a Jolly, lots of big meals, I think Mr Steele even got a 4 poster bed! Anyway over these few days they have various meetings, Stuff with Refs, various other things, one year for instance they got the proposals for the "Game On" Magazine Programme, and Squad Numbers, which the clubs then Vote on.

I'd imagine that the Crusaders debate will go to one of those Meetings.

Merge with south wales.as a result of this the are entitled to double the funding and automatically get a place in the championship.then in 3 years time they will be pushed back into SL ahead of clubs with far better set ups just to fail for a third time.wood and Lewis are destroying our game

Good idea Haven4ever but you missed out "allow them to field 17 Aussies, 6 of which may enter the country illegally, loan the club 700k but letting others potentially go bust then work with their owners in stabbing their small but fantastic fanbase in the back".

"Wood and Lewis are destroying our game" are the truest words said in the 24 of the blackest hours in our sport. I hope fans from every club show their support for the Halifax club and fans and crusaders players and fans (but not club) for the shocking way they have been treated. The way Keith Senior was treated made me feel sorry for him, as a die-hard Bulls fan with a punchbag named after him that is nothing I thought I'd ever say.

Its simple, they will get back in our league some how. continue to offer nothing to our league for 3 years then be pushed back into a league they cant't afford to be in.

its amazing you can predict this sport 3 years ahead these days

I would vote no, simples, enough of this tripe.
Fax need to be playing Keighleys and Batleys at the very least if any business model at Championship level is to be sustained, these RFL guys are cretins, I cant believe there is not more protest than there is.

The thing is i have no problem with the Crusaders being in our league, as long as they're treated equally. But we all know that isn't going to happen.

thats the problem mate, noone in super league really cares, its the 'as long as it's not us they can do what they want' mentallity. Its only us and other championship clubs (excluding fev and eagles who seem to be enjoying it) who are unhappy!

Michael Steele made a good point on Sky Sports News yesterday that while we have a competitive league, it'll be weakened with the absence of Widnes, Crusaders bring little to the table in terms of being a good replacement. If they are allowed in, they MUST have the same restrictions on overseas players as everyone else

Fev fans are happy that there is no promotion and relegation?

What planet are you on?

no fev fans are happy that halifax have have not got in , in the majority by the way, i know some fev fans are decent and would have wanted a fair decision.

Before anyone starts in saying i'm a fev fan blah blah blah. However I actually like Halifax as a club, the players and supporters.

Did you deserve a license? I can see both sides of the coin and there is no wonder why your all frustrated, I would be if it was Featherstone in your position.

Unfortunately, i'm not privvy to the financial facts of your club or any club, the one area that is really holding you back is the lack of youth development.

There is no clear pathway from Under 15's > 16's > 18's > 23's > First Team, this is an absolute must in my opinion for any side wanting to be in Super League. It is extremely difficult to do this, but it is something needs to be achieved.

Fan base, this is a problem for you now as your crowds will drop due to sheer frustration! (The same for all the traditional clubs in the Championship / 1).

Facilities - Do you own a percentage of The Shay? Is it split 40 / 40 / 10 (RL / F & council?)

Marketing / Commercial and the other facts, I don't take a real interest in. However i've only heard big positives about your community setup and the hardwork and effort that Frank puts in. Which he should be applauded for.

In regards to comparing yourselves with Wakefield, yes they were favourites for the drop, but I don't think they should have been. Crusaders who rightly lost their place and Harlequins should have lost it, maybe even Salford ahead of Wakefield.

What is the future for the teams in the Championship? Very good question! It will depend what the announcement is in regards to the re-structuring of the competition, will Toulouse and Crusaders be competing?

I genuinally hope you can bounce back from this and continue being the force you. A fantastic team that plays extremely entertaining rugby, with a very vocal, committed and passionate fan base.

Honestly, stick at it, it'll be worthwhile! You will get what you deserve in the end. I hope you do.

Well said, why do they persist in giving Harlequins a bunk up all the time?

Was gobsmacked when even Jonathan Davies stated same on the BBC red button show after Saturday's semi final. Quins got off very lightly from this fiasco and they should have been encouraged to build from the bottom upwards to develop the right way round.