Dont talk daft, what would they then have to complain about

As a Wakey fan I'm biased. However it's a tidy ground and way better than BV no argument. If Fax were in now instead of us I'd live with it although that's easy to say now. But the truth it would appear is that Fax simply didn't have a good enough bid end of.

One things for sure, Wakefield must have done well because even our most ardent critic would not consider us a sacred cow - if Fax were even close I reckon they would have got the nod but that's just an opinion.

The shay is a good ground however there are issues with one of the stands which has to be closed for TV games and I also believe there is a slight issue with the broadcast gantry in the new main stand.

Also the South stand facilities although new are lacking it was all a bit of squeeze down there in the Bulls Cup game.

But why let facts spoil days of dummy-spitting, teddy-throwing, incoherent rage.

Nobody ing has any facts, thats the problem.

And when the sky team tried to get a few out of Nigel Wood yesterday he stumbled and tripped like a fourth rate politician, toeing a party line whilst failing to answer any questions. With all the doublespeak, the hypocrisy, it is no wonder people pour scorn on them.

It was plain for anyone to see that Crusaders were a sham who were being promoted before they were even half cooked and now after a series of stumbles and failures they have had to do the RFLs job for them and remove themselves from super league. Now a club who has gone through administration, the one single thing used to justify keeping widnes out last time at the expense of the "really strong" clubs who went up instead, and what does Wood say last night? That the RFL can't hold administration in a previous regime against a club solely to keep them out of super league. They failed to get a stadium, again. It's not a stadium competition apparently. Or a finances competition. Or an on field competition. What sort of competition is it then?

This isn't "rage". Thats just pathetic nonsense designed to discredit decent people asking questions that need answering. The RFL are not handling this process well, and that is absolutely vital given that the licensing system gives them more control than ever and judging by Nigel Wood's performance on Boots N All last night, they've not learned anything since the last time.

What I don't see is why the RL didn't have the discussion with Fax prior to making the announcement. From what the chairman says, they did tick all the boxes and from their point of view, it looks like they've been fitted up.

No the problem is that the licensing process is fine in theory and has been handled exactly as was promised. The problem is sport is not a business it's about passion. Because of that when you don't get the result you want you accuse it of being a sham, I know if Trinity had lost I would.

We were a nice little backwater sport once and life was straight forward. We wanted more and took the SKY money, but that comes at a price and this is it. If you want an easy sport go back to part time small time RL. If you don't we will have to learn that in the cut throat world of big times sport it gets complicated and things are not always fair.

The Crusaders weren't a sham? Are you seriously making this point?

the important bits there being 'from their point of view' and 'from what the chairman says'.
I refer you to vastmans post.

On reading this, one would think that Wakefield were the slick operators in 21st Century sport, sweeping all from their path.
In reality, all that has come out of Belle Vue for decades (off the pitch) is hot air and inaction.

I can hear the reply being formulated "But that was in the past, the future's going to be different" ... aye and pigs will fly.

Not really.

Most of us hope that their new owners will actually come through, but surely they should be made to prove it this time before taking their word blindly once again?

I'm not disagreeing with anything Vastman has said, merely stating that the RL should have told Fax of the reasons they weren't getting a franchise place before they announced who would be. As far as I can see, the only reason they didn't get a franchise place is because they haven't, as Widnes have, a sugar daddy. The possession of a benevolent chairman is probably vital to any SL club but it wasn't part of the criteria. My main point is the whole thing could have been handled far better than it has.

I'm not making any point about the Crusaders. Your problem Chris is you are so angry trying to justify your opinions you don't listen. The point I'm making is the minute big money enters into a sport it turns nasty and there are losers and winners both on and off the pitch. Thus you end up with fans back biting over issues that barely registered 20 years ago.

So what do you want Chris, to go back to the older simpler times or take the money and take your chances. You must be pretty naive if you think it is ever going to be any different their will always be darker forces at work and no club is innocent. It's alright criticising Lewis and Co but what exactly do you expect from them. They are employed for a start by the very clubs they are supposed to be in charge of. These same clubs including your own who have rich and powerful men behind them pushing their own agendas - they are on a hiding to nothing at the RFL.

Lewis didn't invent the franchise, he is employed to implement it by the clubs which surprise surprise includes Widnes. The clubs created this situation not their vessel the RFL, just remember that. They did it because club owners just like fans tend to have an I'm alright Jack mentality.