Quote: Michael_Ward "And it was a nervous day for me when I was waiting to see if the RFL were happy to allow Leigh in to SL for 2005.
But after that decision we had to then go on and actually win a final. On the field. With Rugby League players. Remember them? Remember when it mattered what those players could do?
In 3 seasons time Widnes could find themselves outside super league again. And it won't have mattered a jot what the Widnes players achieve over the next 3 years. Because it's not really sport any more.
There are two distinct competitions, and movement between them is arbitrary and unrelated to sport. Clubs are given licences based on whatever criteria is motivating the RFL at that present time. Of course, the RFL will sugar coat the criteria for public consumption.
But when the RFL are willing to do things such as excluding a stadium that is a couple of months from completion from their scoring system, then its plain to me that the criteria are being manipulated to suit.
And if the Crusaders still manage to get a licence this time then it shows that despite the protestations of the RFL, the system is neither fair nor level.'"
I agree with you that the whole process is flawed & unfair, but, rules are rules, and for the moment anyway, looks like they're here to stay.
What annoys me is the fact that supporters from other championship teams (and some Super League teams, may I add), seem to take great pleasure in putting the boot into how Widnes gained promotion to Super League, at the end of the day, The RFL set out the rules, Widnes followed those rules to the letter, and guess what, we got in.
If Barrow & Halifax had bothered to put the effort into their business plans, and academy set-ups, instead of trying to "buy" their way into the top flight, then maybe, just maybe, they may have been given the nod ahead of Widnes.
