A press release is stirring things up a little for us.... it says Wakefield and Castleford, who are both hoping to press ahead with new stadium plans, are thought to be most at risk of losing their place among the game's elite following the statement that Five Championship clubs were given the go-ahead on friday to apply for a place in Super League in 2012.

Halifax, Featherstone, Batley, Barrow and Widnes have all fulfilled the on-field minimum criteria by either reaching the Grand Final or winning the Northern Rail Cup in the last two years.

Batley have said they are not interested and the others must prove they meet minimum standards off the field if they are to secure a three-year Super League licence.

The clubs, who have until December 3 to submit their applications for assessment, must have a stadium with a capacity of 10,000, a recent turnover of at least £1million and an average attendance of 2,500-plus.

It does seem that the RFL are hell bent on dragging this through the media once again and trying to make us and Wakey look like selling platers!

To be fair I think every man & his dog knows it`s Cas and /or Wakey, there are to many Yorkshire clubs and the RL want it leveling up.
How Bradford are keeping below the radar is beyond me though.

I still don't see how any of those teams, bar Widnes and maybe Halifax, could have a chance in SL.

at this moment in time we beat wakey hands down but that means very little now. for once in our clubs history we need to hammer the coffin lid down and press on with all the good things that are coming from the club and secure our future has a top flight rugby league club.

Anyone who actually believes in a fair and balanced franchise procedure is deluded at best, bordering on insane.
The clubs for 2012 are already decided.
I agree with other posters that Bradford are operating in stealth mode and seem to be doing so on the back of their phenomenal contribution to SL early years, it cant be on the past couple of years.
The RL must be hoping a further 3 years to rekindle that passion
It comes down to
Cas - stadium in the pipeline-decent sponsors on board-2 good seasons
Wakey - stadium in the pipeline-A city
Salford - stadium in the pipeline-Manchester based (loosely)
Pushing all things positive is a must but in the warped world that is Red Hall I wouldn't be suprised at anything also
with Cas and Wakey falling foul also in the Yorks v Lancs numbers game.

It is between Cas and Wakey. And each set of fans believe they have the better chance. But honestly looking at the current situation, who has the better prospects - Cas or Wakey?

Cas
Outline planning permission in place
Stadium planning permission by Xmas
Funds in place for stadium
No debt
Major long term international businesses sponsoring the club

Wakey
Second run in with taxman in less than 12 months and still with the noose round their neck.
Trouble paying players
No Outline planning permission with opposition from Leeds City Council
No Stadium planning permission

There was a reason why Wakey couldn't consider a joint venture in the stadium project, GH is a better prospect and they would have no money to invest unlike Cas.

So even if my heart says Cas, my head also says Cas. Can Wakey fans honsstly say that their heads think that they have the better chance than Cas??

Funds in place for stadium

Er, dont think so.

Give me a breakdown of your funding baring in mind the price of land has dropped dramatically and the 2 million off the council is just a loan i.e to be payed back

Could you please furnish us with a copy of your balance sheet and profit and loss account.....
Bit silly really
The Cas BOD have those facts.
The loan is to be paid back, but it is still there, I don't think it has to be paid back instantly.

Don't drag this topic into the mire of Funding and Stadia alone though...

We are discussing Superleague places at risk.

Land deal was in place 2 or 3 years ago. Price agreed then.
Next.