Unfortunately it wont be until a couple of SL clubs get screwed and sent packing before you realise what is happening, and they wont find Bradford, Leeds or Wigan jumping to their defence either.
We can't be compared to SL clubs by their criteria because we have a smaller salary cap, dont play Wigan and Leeds, dont get the media exposure, can't attract the crowds to watch a game against York or Hunslet, what we do have is potential though, everything is in place. But do we trust the RFL? No.
I wouldn't worry if i were you, for now, they dont have the spine to kick out two clubs, not while theres still so many unbuilt stadiums and Aussies being imported into our game.

Quote: Mr Cas "Erm sorry but im not entirely sure that we do I suggest you have a look at the Halifax forum. They were discussing how much of the older stand would have to be shut for the televised game as they don't have a fixed tv gantry in place. This is one of the basic stadium requirements as laid down by the RFL. viewtopic.php?f=15&t=488269

Quote: Mr Cas "Erm sorry but im not entirely sure that we do I suggest you have a look at the Halifax forum. They were discussing how much of the older stand would have to be shut for the televised game as they don't have a fixed tv gantry in place. This is one of the basic stadium requirements as laid down by the RFL. viewtopic.php?f=15&t=488269

Like i say im going on what the RFL have said, its not my opinion its the fact that they have come out and said they meet all the criteria so how can they justify not promoting them in July?

Im not really up on all the requirements so im probabaly wrong with what im saying so feel free to correct me. But what im saying is even though the rest of our bid is great, we dont meet all the criteria as we dont have a stadium and wont be judged on it as we won't be in it 2012. While they have said Fax meet all the criteria.

The whole things a joke anyway. Fax should be in Super League because they won the league last year and Catalans should be in National League One as they finished bottom.

Simples. Meeting the minimum criteria is not the same as being one of the 13 best bids out of 15.

Your right, from here on in is going to be very interesting, this first part was the real problem, because theoretically the Widnes bid could have been weaker than the other SL Clubs so therefore it could not be justified to take one down and let them up. The RFL got lucky this time because Wakefield are in such a mess, they will be scapegoats for a flawed system and process. The question is now will the RFL look at the strengths and weaknesses based on constraints in which applicants are working under. This could take into account your youth development, excellent progress on the field and the stadium plans, it could also be argued that in 3 years time we could be further ahead and stronger than a number of SL clubs. Its all very subjective at the end of the day.
If any of the Cas fans come to new stand they will see the Gantry issue is a non starter because they could be accomodated in the main stand, theres just a bit of cabling, electrical work and steel erection to do, gantry issues are the least of our problems, and the RFL know this.
But, as many have said, we appear to have been used to give some creedence and validity to what was never a fair process, it was always going to be Widnes as they failed only on the admininstration technicality last time.

In actual fact it's one of the best 10 bids out of 11 as Widnes, Crusaders, Catalan and Quins have a "Golden Ticket"

You cant comment on finance and the commercial aspect of the clubs as you have no idea about them side of things at Fax. And if you are really comparing Stadiums, do you thing The Jungle is as good as The Shay? In many eyes it wasn't as good even when the Shay only had Three sides completed. Fax in the past have brought through very good youngsters and will do again.

You should be worried as they won't kick out Salford or Celtic with Wakey, so...it could be you.

It doesn't matter how the ground looks they judge on how many seats - which the Shay wins on, but Wheldon road has a bigger capacity...and doesn't need major structural work to make it ready for both TV and fans to be safe in.

As for commercial, Cas have the BEST commercial department in British RL, so it's safe to say it is better than the Halifax one.

Cas will NOT be kicked out and Halifax will NOT get promoted, the simple fact is compared to Super League clubs - bar Wakey & Crusaders - Halifax offer nothing new and just clutter one area of the country with another team, when the RFL are trying to spread the teams out. They'll just say in July unlucky Halifax try again next time.

Oh god not you again!
We can't comment on your finances but as your fans seem to always be banging on about how you have wealthy backers etc you must be relying on them in some capacity ie not self sustainable without financial backing. Cas on the other hand were one of only 4 SL teams to make a profit in 2009! We make a profit, we bring through young players, we have an average finish of 8th (play offs) so far this licence period and the new ground is in progress. Who in their right mind would consider throwing Cas out?

Fax ground is nothing special. I think you need to try and pick on crusaders though. Cas are far stronger than you.

Well, Widnes have a licence. So I'm not counting them. Hence 13 places and 15 bids.

And if you want to be pedantic (a quality I admire and encourage in anyone ):

Hull FC, Leeds and Warrnington have A grade licences for 2009-11- they are not in danger of losing their licence this year (though the category could change and be downgraded)

Bradford, Saints and Wigan have B grade licences for 2009-111- they are not in danger of losing their licence this year (though the category could change and be either upgraded or downgraded).

Castleford, Catalans Dragons, Crusaders, Harlequins, Hull KR, Huddersfield Giants, Salford and Wakefield have C grade licences - so are the only clubs at risk of losing their licence. Add in Halifax and that's 9 applications for 7 places

How do you know that Cas have the best comercial department in RL?