I will, cheers.

Logically, it makes sense.

We all know there weren't that amount there. It was a very audacious claim to make and IIRC there were RFL representatives at the game.

It had become something of an in joke before and after the game that they were going to mix the figures.

We've no proof of it of course, just a senior figure at the club saying this is the case, but it stacks up.

Just a thought, but it's possible that the RFL encouraged a Fax application but then didn't grade them as C, because :

(a) They thought it might be a good application, but it wasn't
(b) They actually wanted to expand the SL to 15 or even 16 clubs, but were either kyboshed by a less-than-expected TV deal or - more likely - the existing SL clubs refusing to share the cake with any more clubs

I don't see any conspiracy here. As for whether it was or wasn't better than anyone else's bids, ultimately, unless we can see the respective bids of all the C-grade franchises, or at least the feedback on those bids, then we have no reason to doubt the honesty of the decision. Given that not even Fax are releasing - so far - their feedback, then it strikes me that their position is : "The RFL aren't being fair, but we're not going to tell you why they're not being fair". Even my 6-year-old knows I'm not going to take that seriously !

I say this as someone who would emotionally quite happily swapped Halifax for Wakefield (who I think are an ongoing shambles and who have been borderline deceitful over their broken promises in the past). But even though I'd have preferred to see Fax in next year, I still see no evidence at all that the franchising system has done anything other than produce the best result it can given a not particularly strong field of challengers.

So I should have kept my mouth shut when Widnes didn't get in last time? Rather than expressing my admiration for the way Steve O'Connor and co. dealt with the blow and my hope they would follow through with their determination to do better next time? Silly me, I should have kept my nose out then as well.

I don't like all this ivory towers nonsense - I want all levels of RL to do well. I accept there are probably some fans out there who just turn up to SL games and don't take any more interest but that doesn't mean we are all like that.

As for Halifax, just to be clear, I have sympathy with them but have a right to my opinion that the way the club initially reacted and the proposed protest from the fans were both wrong.

I think thats a feeling which is spread throughout the game. People would have had a lot more sympathy for Fax if they were banging down the door for a franchise rather than just moaning because they didnt get one by default.

I think its telling that the argument is based upon Wakefields failings rather than Fax's strengths.

i find it difficult to criticise anyone involved with Fax who is upset because they didn't get a franchise even if they didn't meet the criteria.
That is what a C grade license is for, the fact is that nearly half the league is unfit to be in super league based on the criteria but they have a lot more income to try and make it because they got a license

Halifax (or any club) has to offer something more than a current SL club if it wants to displace them. At the moment they don't. Widnes are a good example of what is needed. The RFL laid down the requirements and they've fulfilled every one of them (whether we agree with those requirements and their weightings or not). I have to admit - my instant reaction to Wakey staying in was WTF???? - broken promises, hell-hole of a ground and not long out of administration. It just didn't ring out as being anywhere near "super". But then, neither did our bid. No backer, poor attendances and a part time back office set up - so, for the RFL - better the devil you know.

Fax don't have to second guess the RFL, they just have to copy what Widnes have done. Step one - acquire a backer.

If Widnes wer not in the CC this year then halifax would now be a SL club because they met all the criteria set out for admittance to SLE 'The rfl said your application was good enough' .One up one down.

What needs clearing up is...why were Halifax kept in the process when it was clearly obvious that no partime CC club could financially compete with the SL clubs that were left in the pot.

I don't thing Fax want sympathy , they perhaps just want to know what they need to do to guarantee a fair shot at moving up , much like a few other clubs , what do they have to do , to be fairly compared to the clubs currently IN SL ?

They don't need anything - they have just had a fair shot. Halifax have confirmed that yesterday.

Well I'd disagree , as they thought beforehand , they had a fair shot , it would seem , you only find out afterwards , what you should have done ?

I dont know how you got any of that from my post. My OP was clearly directed at people expecting Halifax fans to somehow behave with good grace and see things with the neutrality that is only really afforded to those unaffected by such an event - it enables them to pick and choose which teams they decide they want to get behind and draw their conclusions without being accused of bias.

Wasn't having a go at you at all.

That's not what their press release says at all.

Unless you think that the RFL have strong armed...titter...unless you think that the RFL have strong armed Halifax into writing...titter. unless you think that the RFL have strong armed Halifax into writing and submitting that press release.... .