Glad you posted that because I got the impression you approved of franchising because your club has one.

Championship crowds are declining because of franchising. Non Relegation League crowds are too. The RFL blame the economic downturn.

I just hope that Lewis and those who appointed him clear off soon before Quins' Crusaders and who knows how many Championship sides go to the wall because of this ridiculous gamble which cannot work.

Competition is what makes things work for the greater good not monopolies or cartels.

RL needs promotion and relegation not endless friendlies.

I am not a fan of the whole franchise thing..... but they seem to manage OK in Australia without promotion and relegation

I thought the chemical license was lifted so that you/Ben Bailey's could build residential homes on the jungle/wheldon road/probiz colly not on the Hickson site?

Thats the blast zone which is a differant thing, that effects the area around hicksons, the chemical licence only effects the hicksons site.

I am pretty certain that if I was currently looking for a new house, bearing in mind that there are plenty available, I would tend to avoid areas next to chemical works particularly when terms like "chemical residue" and "blast zone" are used. Without meaning to be offensive to Cas residents (my daughter lives at Whitwood) the Wheldon Road area could hardly be described as "picturesque" or "much sought after" by estate agents.

No one will be moving in if the site is not 100% safe, the only thing stopping it being so now is some chemicals being buried on a small amount of the hicksons site, these will be removed and the ground treated so it is 100% safe.

The blast zone relates to when the site was in use there was a risk of explosions from the production of chemicals, which no longer takes place, which is why it has been lifted.

The wheldon road area is being complelty redeveloped with new residential, leasure and commercial developments to be built there.

I work in whitwood, its a very nice place, though a little to quiet for my tastes.

]Desperation

Wakefield Wildcats Official Statement]

Wakefield Trinity Wildcats held a general meeting of shareholders on Tuesday 4th January at which shareholders were given an update on stadium, licensing and the general position of the club.

The club confirmed it was deeply disappointed the planning application on the Newmarket stadium had been called in for public enquiry on 16th December. Not only does this mean a delay to the stadium development but the club was to receive funds of £350,000 on planning being granted as part of the clubs agreement with the developer which are now also delayed.

Meetings have been held with the Developer and Sir Rodney Walker on behalf of Wakefield & District Community Trust and all parties agree that whilst this is a set back it does not stop the development pushing ahead through the planning process. All parties are as committed as always to delivering the stadium and sports facilities for the City. The club remain convinced that this development will happen the question which cannot be answer at this time is when.

In April the Wildcats apply for a Super League license for 2012 – 2014. An essential part of the licensing process is facilities and Newmarket will still be included in the Wildcats bid. However, the club confirmed it has contingency plans in place to play out of the district in super league compliant stadiums until such time as Newmarket comes to fruition. The club are working under confidentiality processes and cannot give further details but once the legal processes have been completed will make these plans public.

The key performance indicators around which licensing is based are Facilities, Spectator Base, Finance, Commercial & Marketing and Community Trusts and the club feels its license application will score strongly on Facilities (using the stadiums mentioned above) Commercial, Marketing and the Community Trust. However it may face tough opposition in spectator base whilst the club can show year on year growth and a continuing upward trend on attendances it has not reached the 10,000 limit.

Financially the club has faced a tough economic climate during times of a deep recession and losing the £350,000 from cash flow creates a difficult environment in which to work. During the summer the club appealed for new investors to come forward and two interested parties have undergone a due diligence process and attended meetings with Super League and Rugby Football League representatives and the Stadium Developer yet despite assurances neither offer has been realised.

The club needs to do everything it can to generate extra funds and called for 500 people to come forward to each pay £1,000 each and generate £500,000 for the club.

The Board of Directors said they have been told repeatedly that people would support the club and come forward with financial assistance if the current Board were not involved. Therefore the Board are offering this opportunity to shareholders, supporters and new investors to come forward and create a new Board of Directors under this scheme.

The question is are there 500 people out there who have the club at heart - what does this club mean to you?

This is Wakefield. Together We Are Stronger.

They talk of "deep recession" and "tough economic climate" in the statement then go and ask for 500 people to hand over £1000

It is not just the club that faces these problems fans do too. I can see the point of the statement but serious straw clutching. I think Wakey are in trouble financially and this is another roll of the dice.

Quote: Fax Bluenose "]Desperation Wakefield Wildcats Official Statement] Wakefield Trinity Wildcats held a general meeting of shareholders on Tuesday 4th January at which shareholders were given an update on stadium, licensing and the general position of the club. The club confirmed it was deeply disappointed the planning application on the Newmarket stadium had been called in for public enquiry on 16th December. Not only does this mean a delay to the stadium development but the club was to receive funds of £350,000 on planning being granted as part of the clubs agreement with the developer which are now also delayed. Meetings have been held with the Developer and Sir Rodney Walker on behalf of Wakefield & District Community Trust and all parties agree that whilst this is a set back it does not stop the development pushing ahead through the planning process. All parties are as committed as always to delivering the stadium and sports facilities for the City. The club remain convinced that this development will happen the question which cannot be answer at this time is when. In April the Wildcats apply for a Super League license for 2012 – 2014. An essential part of the licensing process is facilities and Newmarket will still be included in the Wildcats bid. However, the club confirmed it has contingency plans in place to play out of the district in super league compliant stadiums until such time as Newmarket comes to fruition. The club are working under confidentiality processes and cannot give further details but once the legal processes have been completed will make these plans public. The key performance indicators around which licensing is based are Facilities, Spectator Base, Finance, Commercial & Marketing and Community Trusts and the club feels its license application will score strongly on Facilities (using the stadiums mentioned above) Commercial, Marketing and the Community Trust. However it may face tough opposition in spectator base whilst the club can show year on year growth and a continuing upward trend on attendances it has not reached the 10,000 limit. Financially the club has faced a tough economic climate during times of a deep recession and losing the £350,000 from cash flow creates a difficult environment in which to work. During the summer the club appealed for new investors to come forward and two interested parties have undergone a due diligence process and attended meetings with Super League and Rugby Football League representatives and the Stadium Developer yet despite assurances neither offer has been realised. The club needs to do everything it can to generate extra funds and called for 500 people to come forward to each pay £1,000 each and generate £500,000 for the club. The Board of Directors said they have been told repeatedly that people would support the club and come forward with financial assistance if the current Board were not involved. Therefore the Board are offering this opportunity to shareholders, supporters and new investors to come forward and create a new Board of Directors under this scheme. The question is are there 500 people out there who have the club at heart - what does this club mean to you? This is Wakefield. Together We Are Stronger.'" Reading this and the arguments against the building of the Wakefield ground www.wakefieldangryresidents.com/ I cannot see how Wakefield can retain Superleague status if the decision is in March.It seems unlikely Wakefield will get confirmed planning permission before March. When Dewsbury won the championship they applied for Superleague by playing at a ground outside of the area and where knocked back. I do not see how Wakefield can do the same thing and not get knocked back.

Quote: Fax Bluenose "]Desperation Wakefield Wildcats Official Statement] Wakefield Trinity Wildcats held a general meeting of shareholders on Tuesday 4th January at which shareholders were given an update on stadium, licensing and the general position of the club. The club confirmed it was deeply disappointed the planning application on the Newmarket stadium had been called in for public enquiry on 16th December. Not only does this mean a delay to the stadium development but the club was to receive funds of £350,000 on planning being granted as part of the clubs agreement with the developer which are now also delayed. Meetings have been held with the Developer and Sir Rodney Walker on behalf of Wakefield & District Community Trust and all parties agree that whilst this is a set back it does not stop the development pushing ahead through the planning process. All parties are as committed as always to delivering the stadium and sports facilities for the City. The club remain convinced that this development will happen the question which cannot be answer at this time is when. In April the Wildcats apply for a Super League license for 2012 – 2014. An essential part of the licensing process is facilities and Newmarket will still be included in the Wildcats bid. However, the club confirmed it has contingency plans in place to play out of the district in super league compliant stadiums until such time as Newmarket comes to fruition. The club are working under confidentiality processes and cannot give further details but once the legal processes have been completed will make these plans public. The key performance indicators around which licensing is based are Facilities, Spectator Base, Finance, Commercial & Marketing and Community Trusts and the club feels its license application will score strongly on Facilities (using the stadiums mentioned above) Commercial, Marketing and the Community Trust. However it may face tough opposition in spectator base whilst the club can show year on year growth and a continuing upward trend on attendances it has not reached the 10,000 limit. Financially the club has faced a tough economic climate during times of a deep recession and losing the £350,000 from cash flow creates a difficult environment in which to work. During the summer the club appealed for new investors to come forward and two interested parties have undergone a due diligence process and attended meetings with Super League and Rugby Football League representatives and the Stadium Developer yet despite assurances neither offer has been realised. The club needs to do everything it can to generate extra funds and called for 500 people to come forward to each pay £1,000 each and generate £500,000 for the club. The Board of Directors said they have been told repeatedly that people would support the club and come forward with financial assistance if the current Board were not involved. Therefore the Board are offering this opportunity to shareholders, supporters and new investors to come forward and create a new Board of Directors under this scheme. The question is are there 500 people out there who have the club at heart - what does this club mean to you? This is Wakefield. Together We Are Stronger.'" Reading this and the arguments against the building of the Wakefield ground www.wakefieldangryresidents.com/ I cannot see how Wakefield can retain Superleague status if the decision is in March.It seems unlikely Wakefield will get confirmed planning permission before March. When Dewsbury won the championship they applied for Superleague by playing at a ground outside of the area and where knocked back. I do not see how Wakefield can do the same thing and not get knocked back.