Kath Hetherington 8/13 favourite.

Warned ya.

Phil Clarke 5-4.

In an ideal world that would be the case, withe 14 teams in SL and the top teams in the Championship able to step up and replace theworst team. I reality that meant thr promoted team signing a good number of the players from the relegated team and dropping most of the players who helped gain promotion because they weren't considered good enough for SL. Players at relegated clubs had their contracts annulled.

The franchise system is about stability for the clubs involved, the investors in the game and the players. It is always going to have its opponents. The RFL will admit it's franchise system has had its problems but IMO the alternative would have been worse, although I cannot prove that.

Several clubs have moved to bette stadiums, mainly as a result of the franchise system where improvements in facilities have been part of the process.

IMO Richard Lewis has been an improvement on previous chairmen and has tried to bring the game forward. Maurice Watkins sounds like a good replacement. Lets hope he lives up to his billing. He seems to be involved in several other activities so I hope hiscommitment is of the required level to continue developing the game in the interim until a new CEO is appointed.

This would appear to be the dream move for Lewis.
I for one wish him well.
I also think that he deserves thanks for the changes he's wrought in the financial position of the RFL. IIRC they'd just overseen a disastrous world cup that left the organisation in debt to the tune of £2million.
We'll be lucky to attract as effective a CEO next time.
Clearly IMV certain club chairmen (knowing Lewis was leaving, he must have had to give more than a month's notice & he starts his new post at the end of this month) are setting their stall out in advance of any new appointment.
GH has been remarkably silent on this, I wonder why?

Possibly pessimistic? Lewis has been ok in my book but getting someone as good or better's not out of the question.

This is a great move for Richard Lewis, and a potential disaster for the RFL and Superleague.

A voice of calm and reason is leaving and I've got a nagging feeling that he's returning the keys to the asylum back to the lunatics.

Hopefully the game will use its common sense and bring in another independent Chief Executive who will treat the game as a business that needs to survive, and not a plaything that can be tinkered with at every opportunity.

I hope that I am wrong but only time will tell.

Richard Lewis is the Chairman of RFL, not the Chief Executive who is Nigel Wood.

I agree that this could be a potential disaster for the RFL and Superleague.

Good spot.

I think he's been good for the game and has worked hard to take the game forward and raise the profile. I haven't agreed with everything but on the whole I'm pleased. Let's hope we fill the position with someone who can continue his work.

My only gripe and i guess it's not just his role alone is the Crusaders fiasco then failing to give Wakey the same support in terms of "not ring-fencing their squad when the Giants picked it off".
I also don't think as an organisation they have the nadgers to hit cheats hard ala Gallop in the NRL and it happened on his watch i.e the SC breaches.
the Stobart deal was/is confusing and i still disagree with the "tragic weekend" ,CC moving to August and the hiring of one of the worst and most inconsistant officials to over-see that side of the game.
I would also mlike a complete over-haul of the disciplinary system where the punishments fit the crime but i don't think the last 2 points are solely down to Lewis.

Didn't realise he'd been at Wigan so long.

It's correct to say that Lewis is now the Chairman of the RFL but my recollection is that he was originally appointed as CEO.
When he was appointed the Chair of Sport England (part-time) 3 years ago I think he then became Chairman & Nigel Wood was appointed CEO.
I wonder if Sir Clive Woodward fancies the job?

I'm not well enough connected to know if there are any strong candiates within the RL world but with all the parochialism & self-interest I think another external appointment might well be the best for our game.

Just out of interest, did he appoint McNamara? That's a black mark against him.

Nobody will believe me because I still hardly believe it...

BUT...

About couple of years ago I spotted him kitted out in requisite gear jogging around the lake at Roundhay Park!