Before any locals attack me this is just my view having lived in the area for over 15 years and is not a criticism of anybody involved.
In Cumbria the way corporate support is given to clubs is different to many other areas and is more akin to pre super league. As the players are semi pro. they work and the work in the area is very well paid compared to comparable jobs in Lancs. and Yorkshire. This is due to the perceived danger of working in the local industries (steel and chemical plants (although they are shut or shutting) and nuclear). If a player signs local semi pro. he will normally work directly or in a supporting company to these industries. There is no doubt they are looked on favourably to help get this employment. They are then in a cycle that it is not worth turning full time as its good money for 10 years or good money 40 years. It’s a no brainer. Some choose not to even go semi pro. as its not worth it.
I don't see an answer to it unless someone pumps real big money in directly to the clubs as Sky did for SL but then it would need to be a larger amount to kick start it. As was said before money is needed for the stadia also and the infrastructure.
Having said all the above now is possibly the best chance to get it started with the monies that will be pumped into the area if the energy coast development happens. It probably just needs a real good forward thinking organiser (with the cash) to make it happen.

As I say mate I would call myself a Cumbrian no doubt but ask a Barrovian over 60 if he is from Cumbria or Lancs he will probably say Lancs

In all fairness Starbug, its not about the last 5 years If it was I would agree, 'haven are best placed. Its about the next 5 and on that there is no doubt that Barrow are the Cumbrian RL side on the up.

Other than that your about cock on.

Cumbrian sides with

1. Biggest fan base =
2. Best Ground =
3. Most money =
4. Biggest potential =
5. Best catchment area =
6. Commercially viable =

Which clubs are top in each ?

What about starting a club in Carlise, then we don't need to worry about expanding into Scotland. Gateshead and Carlise could then have the pick of the Scottish talent

]
That answers it then really, pretty much a non discussion

Currently, they are way out in front IMO

Dont forget I was replying to this

1. Biggest fan base = Probably Whitehaven just

2. Best Ground = Whitehaven 7500 but a bit of a dump
Barrow 4500 small but nice ground
Workington 10,000 shared with speedway and with global warming probably underwater in 10 years

3. Most money = Barrow heavy financial backer

4. Biggest potential = because of the money Barrow

5. Best catchment area = probably Barrow even though they are the most southerly but Carlisle would be the best option

6. Commercially viable = Money brings security so Barrow

Current League Standings

Barrow: 2nd League 1
Whitehaven: 5th League 1
Workington: 8th League 2


Whitehaven and Workington are only 7 miles apart so if a merger was to be done it would probably have to be these 2 teams

got the ground figure wrong i do apologise, but i do agree Barrow are the strongly placed cumbrian team

No problem mate.

Things are really on the up at Barrow, but SL still seems like a dream. At the end of the day the RFL handpick who they want. We tick more boxes than Celtics and probably a couple others, but they were fast-tracked through the NL's with unlimited overseas quota etc.

SRC-" 'Brown field' developments also attract fundng/grants etc."
I think this is actually the other way round and this is why most super league teams are building new stadia on "green field" sites.

Saints arn't, and i do beleive the regeneration aspect helped with planning