Looks to me like your directors have had the nudge and a wink regards the next licences just like we all suspect Widnes had. keep quiet lads heads down and your in next time. For what its worth in my opinion your bid was not as good as Wakeys, they went into Admin but after the Crusaders had too, the RFL got rid of that rule so it doesnt matter, your ground is better than theres but there youth structure blinds yours. So in all fairness i dont think you deserved a place above Wakey. However the whole system is a charade so the RFL can pick the 14 teams they want, they are killing the game under super league and fans must stand up. I personally think the best way to get at the RFL and get them to listen is to get an organised cancelation of SKY sports from all championship fans that pay for it after the grand final (at warrington that is) Sky will demand action im sure

Prior to Crusaders capitulating I think the BOD (as everyone did) expected Wakey to go dowm. Toilet of a ground and in administration. That's what was expected to unfold that Tuesday morning. Once the bombshell had been dropped about Crusaders and the realization that toilet administration club Wakey had got in - then the INSTANT reaction was "WTF"!!!! How can Wakey now get that remaining spot after their recent abuse of their license? That was Michael's first and stated reaction.

What HAS happened since then is the stark fact that, compared side by side, our bid was considered weaker than toilet administration club Wakefield. This is largely due to the fact that the RFL have again trusted the promises of the toilet administration club - on the back of the reality that they now have a wealthy backer. Strangely enough - they are the safest bet in the RFL's eyes. As well as the backer - they probably have a full compliment of back office staff and the recent experience of managing a club in Super League (albeit very badly in some areas). We still rely on hard working volunteers in many of the things we do and for the RFL that's probably a "no-no".

To get in SL we'd have to show them the money, we'd have to start to produce a more professional back-office and, ultimately for the club itself - get those gates above 3,000.

It's a tall order.

www.halifaxrlfc.co.uk/article.php?id=5602

www.halifaxrlfc.co.uk/article.php?id=5602

Another way as well is to have a show of unity at Warrington where it is`nt just Fax fans but fans of all Championship clubs turning our backs for one minute is cheap and effective .
I think clubs should stop taking the Dual reg players from Super League too we are being used to keep their players fit and they can pull them whenever they wish.
I also take on board Littlerich remarks re` the back office but the point is the Championship clubs are geting a much less slice of the cake than the Super League clubs we will never be able to compare .
I have also been reading the Fev site and there is enormous support for this campaign down there I remember when Super League started they tried to force Fev and Cass to combine and they fought them and kept their own identity .I f fans unite and speak out we may see a change the way I see it ordinary people never get anything given automaticaly you have to speak out and fight for something you believe in or you just might as well pack in.
I know dozens who have done just that they go and do something else on a Sunday now instead of watching our team because they feel they cannot do anything to change what is hapening within our game.
Despite grand announcements to the contrary at the begining of the season I think our attendances are down and why is that. Every time we get the chance of a decent Sunday gate like Leigh and Widnes the RFL allow Sky to move it from a Sunday and we get nothing for it.

The more the year goes on the more and more unlikly it is that i will be getting a ST for next year.

The first major thing i want to know before buying a ST is what are the fixtures going to look like next year, If its the same BS as this year all becuase sheffield have nowhere to play from then i am taking at least a year out from going to watch. If its how it should be and everyone plays everyone in the first half of the season then i am board.

Also it depends on what the league makup will look like next season, With Widnes and Toulose gone and the rumours of expanding our league, Crusaders to come in, No-one relegated and a few more clubs from CC1 promoted then it will be a poor watered down league with no real spectacles to look forward to other than Leigh, Fev, Batley, Barrow and Crusaders. Then there would be York, Hunslet, Dewsbury, Swinton ?. Keighley ?. or Whitehaven, Limited fan base and income streams with weakened teams.

It feels very much to me like the next 3 years in this league is not going to strengthen the competition but make it more of a divide within the leagues with playoff places being the same every year, FAX, Fev, Leigh, Batley, Barrow, Sheffield........Subject to points deductions and Salary cap breaches

OK Mr. Abbott, you put your money where your mouth is & tell this club and it's disgruntled majority of supporters how you now intend to stand your statement of getting 10,000 regular supporters through the Shay gates.

I'm all for the B.O.D. playing the game with the RFL, they prove time & time again through history how difficult they can make things for clubs who rebel, but for them to ask us to back down is nothing short of selling us down the river I.M.O.

If it wasn't for my love of this club i wouldn't be watching professional RL after some of the things that have gone on over the licencing period, and more recently to be precise. In all honsety, I get my fix of RL at various levels watching junior & amateur games, so basically I'm only still in it to support my hometown team right now.

I hate the hypocrosy, the lies, the cover ups, the transparency that they spin us, I've even started disliking the likes of Wood, Rimmer, Hetherington & Lewis judging them without actually having known most of them !!! Just disliking them for what they represent. Our game is shambolic.

Sounds like the RFL have put their foot down and pressured your board to come out with that statement and guaranteed you a place next time round as has already been stated. It's all cobblers because everybody knows you should have been in this time!

If only the RFL were as transparent as the statements they issue !

Is that how the system is meant to work ?

Ie , your application isn't good enough this time , but it will be in three years as long as you're good little boys and keep the children quiet

It's silly, but seems to be the way.

If we build on the areas we fell short on, then surely that can put us in a stronger position next time around?

Seems that way mate, the RFL are a disgrace. The thing now is are fax fans going to tow the line as wakey fans now seem to be doing or are they going to carry on with the protest / action group.Wakey fans were up in arms about the disgraceful licence system the other week, now it seems to be ok. the game is full of self centredness and i hate it, if it wasnt for rovers i would never watch a game again. Another action could be urge all championship fans to boycott the 4 nations and not pay for a ticket, hit the bstds were it hurts
if we meet you in the final and i do mean if we get there i will buy you a drink, im waiting to see if we do get there and then im buying some twee3d trousers and waist coat to go wi my flat cap

Bloody hell, you get 2 chances to get there pal and the form your team are in i would find it rather difficult to back against it being a Leigh Fev final............................However playoff rugby is exactly what it says on the tin and with players with the right attitudes and a bit of luck anything can happen.

It's what happened to Widnes last time.

And is that the way the system is meant to work ?

Guaranteed nothing, from what I read into the TV interview. Fourteen teams was too much for Big Ears,12 even 10 muted by the better SL teams sounded right for them. Soon the 12-10 SL teams will have to vote themselves 4 votes apiece to 1 for the lower leagues. For Gods sake I hope that never happens, I certainly do'nt want all those "former"SL fans, thinking they've been hard done to ,starting a rival group against the RFL and wanting the CC&CC1 clubs to help the RFL ,to change their minds and get them back into the Holy Grail from which they came. At least the lower leagues will be vibrent unless most of the demoted clubs can't manage on 300,000 SC, and go "belly up".