I am Widnes fan and dont recall Widnes ever being given any financial assistance from the RFL, the only thing I can remember is being given a 9 point deduction for entering administration and a ready made excuse for not being granted a licence in 2008.

My Bad

Still, Harlequins RL were "sponsored" by Sports Café and Workplace Systems long after IL was told to leave the club by the RFL, so I would counter he has had something to do with development, given it was his cash that set up and funded the academy that has started to churn out SL players (notice I didn't say SL standard)

Are they still in SL next year then? :\

I'm not against the RFL helping out any clubs when they can. It is however a little two faced and hypocritical to claim membership of SLE and abrogate the Sky funds and refuse to share ANY with non SL members but when falling on hard times get out the begging bowl for assistance from he very organisation they refused to share with when pigging at the trough of Sky and SL.

As well as being massively financially hit when 1. Being booted out of the original Sl and 2 and 3 being forced into relegation twice when not in a relegation spot.