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Stability and Widnes are words that shouldn't be used in the same sentence.

How many times have they gone into administration now? "Stability Widnes'"

Celtic are doing pretty much as expected. It was always going to be a massive struggle for them and Salford to be competitive in their first year in SL. It would have been the same for Widnes.

The off the field area is the most disappointing, but these are three year licences and, therefore, can only be truly judged over that period.





Once.

In the 90's the club was reformed from a members club to a PLC, with a board of owner/directors and shares issued. It did not go bust. If going into administration once is such a crime, then most of SL the clubs are in trouble.

No they don't. Next season they need to keep their powder dry to make sure the performances and attendances are on the up in year 3, when the franchise bidding process begins again.

Good development work, better crowds than I was expecting, but still not sustainable revenues for the level they are at, very promising plans for a new ground, but not competitive yet. Not a rip-roaring success, but not a disaster, and really it is too soon to tell.

Expect next year to be worse, but year three to be the crunch. My bet is they make it. If Salford, Wakey and Cas don't get their grounds sorted, they should be worried... Fax, Widnes and (if they sort the on-field out under Millward) Leigh will be great candidates in 2011.

If CC survive the first 3 years, grow crowds and start to blood Welshmen they will be a success.

Success: but only by a slim margin.

The fact that they've turned over a couple of decent teams suggests there's more to come.

They have to recruit - but no silly contracts handed out to over-the-hill Union players looking for a quick buck such as Shane Williams. There are more than enough good Aussies without a contract. Some decent British lads, too.