If Halifax were already in SL when this round of franchises came around, would they even be mentioned as one of the possible teams to lose its license? I highly doubt it yet their application that meets all the criteria `in these difficult times` is not deemed good enough for them to be granted one.

As hypothetical questions go, that one's a cracker.

If Halifax were already in SL, that would imply they met all the criteria in the last round of licencing applications. Unless something in their situation had changed - say, finances for example, then it's highly likely they would have met the criteria this time around as well.

Sadly, we all know what happened last time Halifax tried to compete at the top level.

True, but we are also seeing what's happening to Wakefield at the moment 'trying' to compete at the top level after all the promises they made in 2008 to now...

Just because Fax have an adequate stadium it doesn't mean they should be in SL. KPMG know more about a sound administrative structure then anyone on RLFans. Wakefield must have provided a better business plan. And obviously they have the more superior playing staff.

All that is been debated elsewhere but my question is, if Fax were already in SL would they be a team talked about for not getting a license in their current state? Bearring in mind if we had been in SL the first round of franchising we would have been granted a license in all likelyhood.

If they were in their current state? I doubt it. But there is always the possibility of you being in the same state Wakefield are in now. Personally I think you've been unlucky this time.

Yes, we had a best finish of 3rd. I seem to remember that, in all our years in SL, we averaged around 9th. Not outstanding but we certainly weren't always fighting against relegation. Still, if you want to judge us just on 2003 go ahead.

hmm, im actually not sure that is true at this moment in time.

Whether the RFL admit it or not, the main criteria they take into consideration is whether or not the team is already in super league or not.

Had Leigh, Widnes and Fax been in super league in 2007, would they have been dropped for Cas, Wakey and Crusaders?

Precisely. The 2009 licenses were based on a snapshot in time + 1 Welsh Club.

The 2012 licenses are simply based on a snapshot in time.

I agree with a lot of this. Maybe Fax`s application wasnt good, but it was good enough to be deemed by the independant panel to meet ALL minimum criteria and therefore get judged alongside the rest of the SL teams. So really it cant have been that bad can it unless the RFL just used Halifax to make it look like a fair process. I refuse to blame the Halifax board for the result as it looks like working with income streams of less than 1.5M than the teams they were up against they didnt actually do a bad job to actually meet this criteria.

Why else would the Super league clubs be so happy for franchises to be introduced, shut the door! close the shop!