Arguably the gap has grown because there are 12 clubs, though, sharing a money pot that is much bigger than that of the division below.

With TV money shared more widely across 14, and the 2 additional clubs' matchday revenue increasing from playing Leeds rather than Dewsbury (no offence, Rams supporters), they'd step up within a few seasons I'm sure.

Mushy peas sell well in the M62 corridor. Nothing to worry about. Promote Leigh and Fev.

Alternatively promote Fulham/Crusaders/Harlequins/Broncos where there is almost zero interest in RL in London village as shown by multiple failures, multiple relocations yet only 800 - 1200 home fans on a very good day !

No mushy peas granted, but empty stadiums guaranteed !!!
#Exciting

I would say this.

It is obvious that DB still or has regained the fire in his belly for at least a full tilt at Super League, whether that is as a direct replacement for Toronto is debatable however, consider the possibility that .......

A) Toronto are refused membership of Super League
B) SL moves to a 14 team comp to enable TW to be 1 of 14
C) SL moves to a "Franchise"
D) 2021 is the last season before "Franchise" is reintroduced.

I have zero inside information, I do not 'know' Derek or any player but I have spoken to DB in the past.
My 'opinion' or educated guess is that he is positioning Leigh as the only viable Super League ready RL Club *if TW fail* , the most qualified SL ready RL Club if Franchise is introduced or lastly, the strongest playing squad should Leigh have to qualify for SL by winning the Championship comp in 2021.

There is of course one route that nobody here has considered ......

A current Super League Club either goes to the wall or has to concede it's licence during 2020/21 due to the financial issues surrounding Covid 19 or financial mismanagement or lack of backing/investors. Either way Leigh are positioned ready to 'step in' to fill a void if a current SL Club should fail financially.

Regarding a 14 team SL comp & TW or Ottawa, I would say that Leigh are currently more Super League ready than *any* other club including Toronto & Ottawa can not yet even be considered a club, this will anger the likes of the West End Tinker as we reside a stones throw from the M62 but is nevertheless true !

Toronto would be in the 14 just to see if they can build on the fanbase & be successful with a fully paying home crowd, I suspect they could possibly be if they dispense with the SBW & Free Tickets nonsense !

So that's Leigh as Club 12, Toronto as Club 13 ......

Toulouse would be my Club 14. A Toulouse v Catalans all French derby could help both French Clubs sell a European TV deal & would IMO create interest & participation in France like never seen before. Imagine the attendances & atmosphere even on TV for a Les Catalans v Toulouse derby & the revenue both of those Clubs could generate from that ! Sky would love it as a selling point. It is definitely something I would be interested in.

Toronto v Ottawa or Vancouver could do similar in Canada but I think that needs to be something built towards a few years down the line !

Agree with most of this.

But the free tickets nonsense, didn't DB throw the gates open to the stadium for a game?

Thanks for your thoughts. Given we had some years of a 14 club league and the retreat back to 12 also included considerations of going to 10, and 10 was again floated the other year (the 2x10 SL that was voted on) allied to the reality that "Franchises" is something where you pay to get in on a successful business model (which Superleague is not) then that leaves Mr. Beaumont in the real world here and now positioning his club for replacing Toronto Wolfpack.

I noted some weeks back SL bosses talking about how much they needed to consider how to avoid 13 next season.

It's pretty much odds on that Mr. Beaumont is today offering to fund a viable 12th. "oven ready" club.

It's pretty much a statement to say to SL you choose "expansion" or look after your own. We can only do both with a 14 club league.

What on earth are yo on about, were you replying to something that you read in the Daily Star?

Ah well, at least we know who you are now.
Until your next ban

Take a look at sky RL viewing figures and geographic location in uk. You might be surprised.

Shovel ready RL clubs I’ve heard it all. Welcome back Leigh’s boom and bust strategy.

1 game yes & it was a Free Entry for All, as was his wish to repay the Leigh fans, sponsors & game for a marvellous year in the clubs recent history, this *for the benefit of =#FF0000West End Tinker is "philanthropy" !

It was though, a 'one off' Leigh had already gained promotion & achieved an average gate including play offs of circa 6,800, above that of Salford, Huddersfield, Wakefield & 1 other. On a glorious sunny day the terrace of the North Stand was rammed full & over 10,000 enjoyed a celebration of RL including our away friends from Batley, Wigan,.Warrington, St Helens, Halifax & beyond.

What D.B didn't do was make it his business plan to give away 'X amount' of Free tickets every single game or sign SBW on an extortionate salary contract, or start the season with only 24 players because of it, or then go & attempt & succeed in forcing the RFL to make Cap changes as a result, or walk out on Super League with zero notice leaving the entire sport humiliated or fail to pay players, or fail to pay suppliers or fail to pay TV production companies or make racist slurs against Swinton players .......

The Queen would refer to this as an "annus horribilis .......
what would David 'The Racist' Argyle call it ?

Spot on post Ste. Unfortunately, The 'H' already knew this, and casted his line with a nice juicy piece of bait,and got his catch mate.

& I was more than happy to oblige