To me, it looks like Crusaders aren't going to drop down a league, they're going to drop out of existence. Samuels and now Moss and Roberts have completely shafted them - total incompetence, I doubt Moss and Roberts even give a toss. Concerns over players getting paid, not telling them of a huge decision that impacts upon club employees' future... the whole thing is a disgraceful mess. It's cruel to the coaching staff, players and fans.

Now the euphoria of my team getting a reprieve has had time to sink in, I'm realising more and more how much damage has been done by pushing Crusaders too far much too soon. They just weren't ready, fell into the wrong hands, couldn't sustain themselves at this level... and that's absolutely gutting. The credibility of RL in Wales (and as a whole) takes a huge hit for this.

Let's get it right with Scorpions and Valley Cougars... development at a natural pace!!

Great post!

This is the right way to expand, follow the same model as the NRL and make it a success.

I would like to think that most RL fans in the UK want to see the game grow. If you do accept that the game needs to grow beyond the M62 then agreeing with the above post shouldnt be too much of a problem. Yeah it is a bit unfair on the heartland clubs but you just have to accept that for the game to grow it has to be done this way.

Are there any fans who wanna see an M62 exclusive competition?

No of course not.*

*

Said it once and will say it again if the NRL can set up a team in AFL country and that team can be a success then there is no reason that the RFL cant do something similar. Its absurd to think new franchises can not just survive but prosper at the highest level on off there own back. The RFL to me seem like they want to say they have expanded the game but have no thought process behind it to ensure expansion works.

The one thing I don't get is why is London such a key to the TV money ? I reckon 99.99% of people who have Sky sports will do so for another sport other then RL. RL isn't exactly the popular sport in London so I don't get why they bring huge value to the tv deal ?

I personally feel at the moment though the RFL are trying to expand too quick too soon. IMO they needed to setup clubs to start off in the championship and only move them up when they are ready to be "sustainable".

But that's your problem , the current Championship clubs including some over a hundred years old are not self sustaining , so how long do you think it would take to get expansion clubs to that level ?

Unless of course you start to think differently on marketing issues , but that involves some grey matter and a little money , both things in short supply both at the clubs and at the RFL

I can see your point but that would take decades unless some kind of rich arab owner sets up a new franchise!

if expansion is gonna work then the RFL or Sky have to be directly invloved with the running of the club.

I don't know what the answer is in terms of how to expand the game, but all I know is it doesn't seem to be working. I think that the most successful way we will do it, is by organic expansion out from the heartlands.

But, I don't think that all of our expansion teams should be or need to be in the top flight. Only the ones that have shown to be able to sustain themselves should be allowed to be in the top. I also include heartland teams in that too.

It's not about dishes or subscriptions....it's about market reach/share and advertisers perceptions. Demographically, London/SE audiences are more 'profitable' for TV companies when flogging advert slots.....and that is why, [size=200 IF [/sizeit's true, Londons SL team is part and parcel of the deal.
The only reason the melbourne Storm are in the NRL is ad revenue/TV money......and trhe WA Reds in perth are next....it's about reach!

So why does expansion have to be in SL ?

Why not get involved in helping ALL Championship clubs ?

In the non heartlands who wants to watch a new RL side not playing at the top level? If for instance the South West was next do prople really wanna go and watch a a new team outside Superleage?

The RFL dont get expansion. It takes more than just dumping a team in a new area and them hoping for the best.

I'm not sure there is an answer.
You've got the likes of Harlequins as an expansion team, who don't get a lot of fans. Then again Salford aren't much better despite having being around for a hundred years.
Then you've got clubs that have grown from amateur in expansion areas, such as Skolars, who don't get a lot of fans but likewise there are old clubs in the heartlands in a similar position.

There is an ever expanding amateur and youth scene outside of the heartlands, but it's a long way from that to pro RL with a significant fan base.