I Had a convo with a fax mate about this. I think the decision whether to go FT or not, depends on how many of your current squad are willing to go FT. What's happened to Sheffield will put anyone off. But Leigh went FT and got it bang on. Main reason is, most of Leigh's championship winning side went FT. Most of Sheffield's didn't and they ended up recruiting from C1. I hope you do go FT and keep the main of your squad. Some good things happening at Fax. One of the best RL stadiums, foundations being laid, and a solid fan base.

On the structure i always HATED licensing as i loved relegation/promotion scraps. How the championship survived those years is beyond me. I don't think the current structure will last long. With Wakefield's embarrassing season last year and Leigh finishing top3 years in a row and still not getting promoted, it is exposing it's flaws. I've said now we've finally sorted our HB issue out, if we sneak into the top 4 i think we will be the top championship club which says everything about the system as we don't deserve to be anywhere near promotion on our performances this season.

1 up 1 down, top 5 play-off in SL (you know the system that worked). But hey, the RFL are innovative so let's fix things when they aren't broken.

I agree,good post.Only thing i will say in defence of the current system is that if Leigh do get promoted they will be much better prepared for super league than a part time club who finishes top after a one off good season.

I totally agree. By the time a club knows it would be promoted as "Champions" go up, only average Full Time players available to be signed for following season.

So my suggestion:

Team top halfway through season is promoted. Plenty of time to recruit.
Crowds for rest of season dwindle with no interest, result:Championship dies. In fact I am surprised Fat Controller hasn`t implemented this scenario already

Not so well but, if you're planning to be a full time club at some time in the future, you'll need to have a year of transition and probably not do so good. It's either that or stay part time for ever.

Well, I've read that a couple of times and even with you being a bulls fan, I can't find owt to disagree with. Amazing!

The thing is if you get promoted to SL you still get a choice of better quality players than every team in the championship simply because unless you are willing to throw stupid money around like Leigh, most players want to play at the top level.

Courtesy of Ben Black!

Really enjoyed the content of this topic and some really good points made. I think the club has improved it's communication. Perhaps another fans forum once the fun and games are over re matters on the pitch to give some of the questions on here a hearing?
Looking at the middle 8 concept it is heavily weighted in favour of the SL clubs who are simply used to a higher intensity of rugby week in week out - Championship sides could do it for the odd game but not 7 on the trot. Leigh look to be the only team capable of causing a serious upset.
I think the club and RM have made it clear in the past that our pathway to SL will be a slow one building from the bottom up. Not what some want to hear but as a lifelong supporter I personally have seen too much of the boom and bust management and all the heartache and embarrassment that brings.

We might be 'throwing stupid money around' but it would appear not as much as Toronto, from the number of our players reported to be heading over there! (or it could just be that our Yorkshire contingent are jumping at the chance to train at Tong, rather than travel to Leigh every day! )

Could be three, if Toulouse have a big backer!!

And Toronto get some dispensation the year after.

and the year after that. And the year af....

So Partime means going backwards, or at best standstill. Wow what a dream!