As a Fax fan, I've witnessed some of the crap outside the pubs at last year's GF, at this year's NRC semi final to name just two incidents.
But, I'm hoping for the good of the game ( and I have very low opinions of it it recently ! ) that Leigh beat Sheffield on thursday and give Fev one hell of a scare in the GF at the HJ.
BECAUSE:
To start with, I consider these two apart from us, to be the best two teams outside SL this season.
Sheffield, I'm sorry, but I have no feelings whatsoever for you, I'm a traditionalist, and your'e a bit rubbish as a club anyway. Anyone that has such low esteem that they have to prop up a bankrupt Huddersfield isn't worth their salt.
But, if Fev win, what threat do they actually impose on our club's grand plan of SL status ?
Leyther Lobby gobblers on the other hand, actually could make the SL if they got their business act together again. Got their things together and started performing over the next 2 or 3 years, I reckon they could sneak it over us in a two horse race.
So, let's hope that everyone manages to have a great finals day without us ( for a change.... ) with a fun & laughter, lot's of beers etc etc and Fev win, cos I just don't see them making the hoist into SL, that's if we as Halifax RLFC really want to take the licence challenge seriously.

I would be interested in your reasonings on this one... Perhaps you would care to break down all three clubs against the criteria?

Interesting logic applied there!

Technically, Leigh have already qualified 'on-field', through the NRC success, and would add another 'qualification' on that level, if they just appear in the GF. Featherstone have now also ticked the 'on field' box by just getting to the GF. I believe they also have ambitious plans, for their stadium development.

So, by my reckoning that's two 'threats' to 'Fax already - and they still have to tick that 'on-field' box!

So are you going to share your reasonings MM? I am not trying to troll, I am geniunely interested in what people think is important to make a case for superleage and where people think they are at?

Personally I would say that there is not much in it between Fax, Fev and Leigh. Clearly the three stand-outs in the championship and for every plus you could come up with for Fax, then there would be a counter plus for Fev etc.... So what do you value?

The only reason for me regarding Fev and SL 2015 is because I find it very unlikely that a Club can go from not even applying to be ready for SL 2 and a half years later. Probably p*ss weak reasoning and not a demeaning on the way Fev is run it's just very unlikely the RFL would chose a Club in that manner. Not that I think anyone will go up in 2015 but there you go Plus I think Leigh are ahead of us (obviously with the ticked box but beyond that I mean).

Hope Fev win the G.F. there the best team by far in this division and they have the best fans with Leigh fans not far behind.

I think the thing for Featherstone Martin is a few things all dependant on what the RFL decide with regards to the rules this time. These are Based on last time alone and god knows what they do this time, i may be a little ignorant with what i put here but no detrement to fev intended with these, i dont have a clue regarding the turnover of fev,

1, Stadium with the operational capacity of 10,000 or in a leased stadium with minimum 10 year lease ( I know you have plans to buy a stand etc and have it put at P.O road, Leigh and Halifax are ahead here so far but 2 years for you to go
2, You and Leigh have already ticked the most important box in year one, GF or NRC win, Follow Widnes's example and it would be hard to turn you down, Fev way ahead of Leigh anf Fax with this one with youth structure all the way through to 16's i believe
3, £1,000,000 turnover, Halifax did this last year, Not sure about Leigh, Fev or any other club ticking this one over the next few years with the dwindleing crowds and economic downturn, I hope all 3 do it TBH.
4, Average crowd attendance of 2500, With widnes now gone, they had the best away support it is going to be even harder for any club to be anywhere near this over the next 3 year, ( especially if Fax and Fev can't learn to get on for the good of Championship rugby, we need each other here )
5, BIG MONEY BACKER !!!!! This one speaks for itself, RFL want a guarunteur lets be honest.
6, WE ARE NOT EXPANSION CLUBS AND CAN BE FORGOTTEN, CAS, WAKEY, BRADFORD, HUDDS, LEEDS, WIDNES, These are all close to Fax, leigh and Fev.
7, The RFL and other superleague clubs already moaning the talent pool is not big enough and wanting to reduce the number of teams. SL is not competitive anymore with drubbings of teams week in week out, this whole licensing was supposed to be for the good of the english game.

Let me know your thoughts Martin and you have a much bigger insight into it than just a fan with outsiders knowledge. I dont think there is anything in it to be honest and with each respective club having ideas and plans to develop a future SL License bid i hope all the clubs can work together in the championship to make the future of our clubs a long and successful one.

1. Not sure that even with Work Fev would hit 10000, but I don't think this is a major showstopper. Ground could be extended further relatively cheaply. Leigh and Fax ahead though I agree
2. Yes box ticked for Fev and Leigh. You have to do that of course, I think you will.
3. Fev were a few thousand short on last accounts I think. A bridge that can easily be overcome with a modest donation. Having said that our off field revenues continue to rise and with the ground work this should increase. Not a problem in my opinion. Don't know about Leigh, but I suspect they are OK. It is turnover and not profit.
4. Ave attendance. Our biggest challenge for sure. Give you that one. That is where our focus needs to be.
5. BIG MONEY BACKER - Don't need one. I beleive that being self sustaining is more important and there are more boxes to be ticked for governance and administration. Didn't Leigh have one?
6. Yes big problem for all three teams. Same boat I am afraid. I think there is more change of Cas or Wakey getting the axe than Bradford, Hudds, Wigan, Saints, Warrington or Widnes. So perhaps Fev's upper hand slightly.
7. Fev would help the British talent pool. We have not oversease players... not one. Fax and Leigh do.

Other points:

8. Marketing - you were criticised this time. All three clubs would need to work hard at this. I am told the RFL really liked what Fev did with the Chris Moyles thing, but that has largely passed now!

9. Community work - Fev are outstanding. I understand Fax and Leigh are good too.

10. Player pathway - Fev excellent. SL standard 18s and Scholarship. Leigh a year or two behind and Fax a bit further.

11. Ground facilities - Thinks like Press Places and Catering. Clearly Fev are behing Leigh and Fax on this.


I actually think it is fairly even all told.

As for Fev not applying this time, not an issue. We applied time before and RFL prefer honesty and honestly, we were not there.

In fairness Martin, Leigh's only overseas player is Robbie Hunter-Paul and he's been playing here for 15 years (and I hear his brother was an England international in some other sport .

Ah - Henry Paul.

I have happy memories of him at Wembley....

I don't care about your feelings for The Eagles, but I do care about the facts!
The people who where responsible for the 'Shuddersfield' episode took the money and left Sheffield without a rugby team.
The current Board of Directors put their money where their mouths were and have created
a Club without a sugardaddy, without debt, and a team in the Championship play-offs for the
third year in succession, plus a reserve team, and under 18's, under 16's and under 15's.
You appear to have forgotten that pro-rugby was fading away until Sky arrived and upset your applecart, as a traditionalist no doubt you would be happy to watch a minority sport at the Watershedding and Tattersfield in winter with a few other hardy souls. Each to there own!