Licencing is here to stay, it is neccessary to protect the financial support given to around 50% of current SL clubs, without it we could see the demise of several clubs in the next few years, as it is only London look like failing ( unless the RFL and or SKY come to their rescue, correctly IMO )

However it is making the gap between SL and the Championship wider and ultimatly it is damaging the clubs outside it , what is required is a change of direction by the RFL in the way they see the semi pro competitions, they seem to think the Championships are just a poorer version of SL, but it is very different, the TV coverage is worthless and therefore should be dropped apart from the NRC final and the GF s, they need to be marketed to their local populaces, and that is where the RFL should be looking to find and spend money

That is of course if they value the lower tiers at all.

Quite right, I hope he does carry on subsidizing them because if he didn't then we would be in a mess unless we can get a 10k average. My point is that you either need a 10k average or someone to back the club. Widnes have a backer, London also have a backer. Has any of the teams currently in the Championship have a wealthy backer to fund them in Superleague?

Franchising is not going to go away and I don't believe it should. Maybe there is a better way of doing it but P&R is not the answer.

The only reason Hull KR stayed up for that year was because there was a team even worse than us in the Superleague. Hull KR were the exception and most other teams who have been promoted during the P&R days went straight back down and it would almost certainly be the case if we brought P&R back.

HKR went for broke in 2006, failure would have seen them probably back in administration. They went for broke because they knew the drawbridge was almost up.
I have a lot of respect for the HKR 1500 hardcore who kept the club going for the Glory boys to jump back onto in 2005/6/7
How is the lad with the 10-5 flag doing these days, great bloke.

Works perfectly for me. Said it before myself.
The only thing I'd add is that the top team in tier 2 can chose not to go up and keep getting the money, so they can build at their pace rather than going bust trying on first attempt.

But the licencing system is snapshot of the League as it existed at the time it was introduced - more or less. If that snapshot had been taken before Hull KR, had been promoted they'd be marooned in the championship trying to maintain the same standard for three years. As for promoted teams going straight back down, what about Wakefield, Huddersfield, Cas, Hull FC, Salford - all promoted in the P&R era -all still there. The only promoted team to bring P&R into disrepute IMO are Celtic Crusaders/Crusaders with their inelligible players and last minute withdrawal last season.
When under P&R did we have a player suing the RFL because of a failed transfer?

Huddersfield and Hull were saved from relegation due to going bust etc. The others were promoted when Superleague was still in its infancy. P&R would not work now due to the gulf in class between the 2 leagues. The only way it would work is by bringing the SL clubs down closer to the championship level. That wouldn't be fair to the SL clubs after the hard work they have put in over the years just so the championship clubs can have a crack at super league. It is up to the Championship clubs to improve vastly which I can't see happening.

No

The only way is to improve the Championships , that in itself would force the current SL clubs to improve to remain in SL

Yes you are correct , the clubs have to improve , but they require help to do so , There is no way HKR s current owner would support them in the Championships now as he did with P and R in place

But to help the championship clubs, you will have to spread the current resources more thinly thus bringing down the SL clubs.

Quote: Promotion woukld not work now because of the gulf in class between the two leagues"

You mean the gulf that was demosntrated in Fev V Cas and Wigan and Batley V Broncos in the cup. That gulf in class.

Where have I suggested that SL money is spent on the Championships?

It is about best use of resources, not just the amount you spend

I also didn't mention money.

So what ' resources ' were you reffering to?

What are the average attendances for the top Championship clubs?They will need better crowds and the Gulf is big.Look at Featherstone after games against Superleague teams, as took it out of them as got smashed in the Championship in the next game.Games are intense every week in Superleague.

So surely that is the challenge Andy? , if it just a case of " well the Championships have always had poor attendances, there is nothing that can be done " then its time to just pack it in

I understand your points and it Ashame not more money in the game.I love promotion and relegation as fun end of the season.But due to a big gulf in salary cap of £300,000 and over 1.2 million to 1.8 million makes it difficult.I am hoping at my club next season we spend more on players and get rid of the garbage.Adjustment is big and if was relegation we be straight back down.We was poor in the Championship, but not all players want to be fulltime,as some fulltime are not so better off if had another job.