Sod the criteria - it's all a big messy mess that's been messed up.

Here's what to do - win everything possible. Do it on the pitch and embarrass the hell out of the game. At the same time - plough the youth money into marketing and put bums on seats. Decent crowds and full trophy cabinets will crap on "yoof" criteria any day.

Cut the crap and do it old skool. Win win win. We've got the squad to do it .............................

Richard lewis retires with ill health as messing everything up. Serious these muppets have not a clue,and how much money do they have in the pot, to keep bailing these teams out?Wales is a union and a football stronghold, so wish they get a grip.

I think you'll find that it's Haighy's gang.



How do we know you're not a gentlegirl?

Apologies Black Cat for quoting selectively, but my comment really is just on those particular points.

Messrs. Wood, primarily, and Lewis are killing the sport at semi-professional level. Personally, the game would be best served by them resigning forthwith, before they do any more damage, and have the courage to stand up and say that they got it wrong and apologize for that. Then, and only then in my view, could we move forward to save and rebuild the sport.

I think Halifax have stumbled into the major hurdle when Championship clubs are applying for a licence. If I remember correctly, last season Leigh wanted to run a joint reserves with Wigan and have their own u18's. The RFL said no you can't run a joint reserves and if you don't run your own reserves then you can't run an u18's. So clubs are left with a choice, try to fulfil the criteria and spend a hell of a lot money on youth teams that may only produce 1 or 2 players every 2 or 3 years that are good enough or don't run the teams and probably not get a licence. There just isn't the money at Championship level to run 3 teams.

Having said that though, Widnes pay out a hell of a lot money on running extra teams so if we are having pay these costs, so should everyone else. We've ran u18's and u'21's since being in this division which will be our 5th season next year. Clay has stated running an u21's will set the club back £70,000, meaning Widnes will have paid out at least £350,000 over the 5 years. So whilst you've got loads of Halifax fans saying how good they will be next year and how they are chuffed that they have signed Gene, Aizue and Branighan etc - its not getting Halifax any closer to a licence. Why didn't Halifax save the money on the new players, maybe even get rid of a few of the higher earners set up the reserves? If Fax now can't run an u18's because they have chosen not to run a reserves then thats their own fault for spending too much money on the 1st team. Surely questions should be asked of the people who are in charge of running the club and their efforts in try to get Halifax a licence. As things stand, Fax won't be getting a licence and the club don't seem to have any way in changing that.

I don't think any Fax fan would ask questions of how the club is being run now compared to it was only 4 years ago. Fax have signed the players that you have mentioned for the exact same reason you have signed the players you have over the close season, to try and win the comp. Why haven't widnes completely cut back on the 1st team and just play the kids that are coming through? I would presume it's down to some not being ready and some not being good enough. And in this league you can't afford to slip up, or you might find yourself in the position Leigh were in last year.

Not quite sure what the problem is here...

Everyone knows that the concept of franchising is to 'encourage' teams to build their infrastructure and youth development is an important part of this. Looking at this it appears that you put your eggs in the performance basket with the hope of making a compelling argument for inclusion on this front and the new stand. Then as some predicted at the last minute you have made a 'basic' application to operate a youth team in an attempt to 'tick' that box.

I hate to say this but fair play to the RFL for sticking to their guns on this matter. We have heard from our chairman just exactly what stock the RFL are putting into this criteria point and to what extent they have instructed clubs of what is expected of them?

I'm sure you will enjoy the team that you put on the pitch for the next season or two. Your board have made the decision where to spend their money and as a result you can't grumble with this particular RFL decision. What it shows if anything is that if you can't afford to run these teams then maybe you don't have sufficient resources?

This isnt going to look good in the RFL`s eyes. If we cant afford the 70K to set up these teams then do we really deserve a place in SL? I really cant believe it has taken so long to get to this. This should have been getting sorted part way through last season.

Because isnt another part of the criteria the level of crowds? To increase your crowds you need a decent and entertaining first team. You also need to win the Rail Cup (I think) to tick a box, something which you aint going to do unless you have a decent team. You also need to reach a certain level of turnover, something which is helped by increased crowds which will only happen by having a winning team.

Its all flawed. Its bloody ridiculous. Promotion and relegation should be decided purely on results and not level of turnover, average attendances or whether the mascots face bloody fits.

You are missing the point - Halifax have found themselves in this situation because the RFL moved the goalposts. A year ago the plan was to create a championship u21s, so Fax quite rightly scrapped their reserves to move towards this new set up. now the rfl have scrapped that idea and stuck with the old reserve system. That means Fax would now have to follow the super league model and create an u20s and u18s and play against super league teams. Widnes to their credit have done that but they have a chairman who pumped a million quid into the club just do it could break even!!! why can't championship clubs have their own u18 competition with players on basic match terms of say £50 a win. Games could be played as curtain raisers to first team games.

What? You mean like all the succesful sports in this country. Surely not, that would be suicide........

Sorry, I think I was possesed by Wood and Lewis for a moment then. On the subject of putting all your eggs in one basket (or team). That shouldn't be allowed. All clubs should run at minimum a 1st and reserve team.....if it means paying players slightly less then so be it. If they still won't run a second team then cut the salary cap to say 75% of the full cap allowed for clubs that run two or more teams.

Why?

If thats the case then it wouldnt suprise me.

fax are building from the bottom up as and when these lads get older and develop. RFL have changed the what they said they was going to, no surprise there really, ie u20,s u18,s