Pumps it's all just re-arranging the deckchairs on the Titanic. The sport is on its knees.

To plumb the Titanic metaphor a bit more us getting into SL next year is like moving to the stern of the ship and leaving the championship clubs at the rapidly sinking bow.

Meanwhile a few decent players hop on lifeboats to the NRL.

Of course Nigel will be using his contacts to his advantage. Why wouldn’t he? Whether it’s the right decision is another question and I’ve said plenty of times I would prefer Bradford to not get the nod.

But if you think the SL chairman will be sat on their hands waiting for the news like the rest of us, you are very naive. They will be attempting to influence who gets the spot. They might not all agree on the chosen team, but they will be putting their two cents in.

Well having been away from the forum most of lockdown I thought I would have a venture on and see whats being said. I am in total agreeance with everything said. I want us nowhere near, the last reason why is the fallout from other clubs! As has been said we are nowhere near ready.

With regards the money, Pumpetypump is the only one I have seen mention after 2021, surely a club applying such as ourselves who for me will be on the brink, should be asking what is in liklihood going to happen in 2022. Can only see Beaumont being daft enough to expect to finish 11th or higher by throwing obscene money at yet more washed up aussies.

If we get in this for me stems right back to Davod Thorn having his bid rejected as there would be an underhand way coming up we would get in despite having owners who would shaft us yet again, it does seem everything has played out for Wood to enventually be in charge.

For me this is the last thing on earth we need. I mean for god sake we are signing aged players like brough (could be shrewd only time will tell not disrespecting brough there) and letting young props like Kirk who has been developing very very well go! We still have people at the club for me making wrong decisions now. God help us if we are chosen. For what its worth for me it should be London. 70% of their squad homegrown, a dedicated owner guaranted to make sure thye are ok if needed, only thing lacking is fanbase

Hard to disagree with most of this. I actually think we're improving and was looking forward to a cracking campaign against some strong Championship teams. I really fancy us to create a buzz for the first time in many years, possibly bringing fans and interest back to the club. The club that gets chosen finds out mid December and must create a SL squad by March, including a pre-season. It's not just a bad idea for us, it's a bad idea for any club. I want to see Scurr and Gallagher and Doyle, Hallas, Nzoungou serve it up to Fev and Leigh. I don't want to watch Olbison and Lussick (no disrespect) come off second best at Huddersfield.

If Wood's behind this at least he could come out and explain why this isn't going to be soul crushing fiasco.

Wood won't be explaining anything.

When people say we're not ready I don't think it's an issue. There are a load of players at toronto that would be happy to sign for a superleague club and players would become available.

What worries me is the idea of us going back to Odsal and the finances required as we would operate at a big loss.

That said come 2022 who knows what will be left of RL in this country? So you might as well have a bash.

Are we going to TUPE across Sonny Bill Williams?

I suppose it depends what the deal is if we are funding the work on renovations and I’ve been told it isn’t a lick of paint but a refurb, this increases the value of odsal a Rfl held asset that I’m sure they would want doing so maybe rented to us at a significantly reduced rate at the threat of us leaving again and then getting nothing. Though I do know I’m being far too positive...

Anyone know if its true that work has already started at Odsal?

Have you heard he could be quite ill, too?

I think most of the posts on here have the same concerns. If we’re chosen as the 12th club, lose most of our games, lose most of our money maintaining Odsal, get relegated and the likes of Doyle, Scurr etc get picked by SL clubs - then that’s it. We wouldn’t survive in any recognisable form.

But Wood & Sawyer are smart people, with good RL knowledge and RL political capital. They must know that the above scenario is very possible. So if they’re going ahead, they must be confident that it won’t happen.

There’s only 2 ways it won’t happen - John “Harry Rednapp” Kear wheels & deals to a team capable of finishing 11th.
Or there’s no relegation.
The only way I can think of no relegation is that the rumours of a venture capital firm are true, they inject cash and request the league be expanded to 14 clubs again.
Interesting times

Who is paying for the refurb though?
IF we still had a sub-lease it would be our responsibility (under the terms of the last lease, anyway) but we don't have the money to do anything beyond the 'lick of paint' option - and even that would depend on fans buying the paint and bringing our own brushes (and turps).

Just to throw another 'undefined' into the equation, to the best of my knowledge the RFL haven't sanctioned our use of the Tetley's Stadium for next season. Though, technically, they did say for one season and no-one can seriously suggest we've actually had that yet but I'd assume the RFL would class it as a season.