with the exception of Widnes but only because they were a hugely successful team in the 80's and still (just) living off that
it's catch 22 as regards crowds, no big games means no big crowds but by just putting them in SL 1st couple of seasons isn't going to light any said towns fans alight.
So ok forget the merger but having two leagues instead of three would give in the 1st few years more opportunity to the smaller clubs to play the bigger clubs without having to freeze relegation or artificially mess with the leagues.
granted at 1st there would be either a 2 tier league or possibly a 3 tier league but the opportunity is still there.
Surely you have to agree that would be better for game and improve crowd numbers

Barrow's crowds have increased 65% on last season, up to 2,300. There's still 2.5 years to go until 2012, so plenty of time to get many more through the turnstyles.

BTW, Widnes didn't average 4,000 this season. On official figures they averaged 3,646 in the league which included the 'Free entry' game which grossed their highest attendance of 5,236. So taking that out of the calculations that's a league average of 3,501.

If you include their NR Cup games, then their average was 3,412.

For a club that spent several years in the Super League and many more at the top end of the 2nd tier, I think Barrow's attendances stand up very well indeed.

If they were ready for a SL club, they would be in next season.

Take into account the away support a team like Widnes would get in super league though, they would average around 6,000 and with success would no doubt have crowds like Hull KR.

Widnes should be next in super league IMO. Get rid of Salford!

While Barrows increase on the back of some success is to be applauded and I hope it continues , they are at the moment well behind the support Widnes are getting and would get in SL , dont take it as criticism of Barrow , but just cold hard facts , there chairman has started the building of something good , but there is still a long way to go

Personnally I would have a 10 team SL [ 8 would be more realistic ] as at the moment we dont have 14 SL quality teams , and if you are going to follow the Franchise path , then you have no excuse for any club that doesn't cut the mustard

No offence and im not blowing my own clubs trumpet but your a million miles behind us in terms of setup and crowds.

That means you would have to make a choice between certain teams that cannot be split. IMO we need to go to 16 teams eventually.

Best clubs we have are

Wigan
Leeds
Hull FC
Warrington
Saints
Bradford
Hull KR
Catalans

These are the clubs up to standard IMO.

The rest either dont get the crowds, dont have sufficient plans for development of stadium issues or don't perform on the pitch.

Castleford in a new stadium would move into this top 8 and Hudds with bigger crowds would also move up.

These top clubs need to lead the way, especially Wigan, Leeds and Hull FC they have the biggest potential for huge crowds and Warrington and Saints (with a new stadium) are almost there.

Catalans also have huge potential but need the stadium.

These clubs need to improve to get the smaller ones to catch up.

Which team do you support

So you agree then , we only have 8 true SL clubs , the rest are way behind

castleford are no worse than Hull KR.
We have about 11 SL quality clubs, only Salford and Celtic are really lagging at the moment.
Warrington and Saints' crowds aren't good enough at all, especially Saints

Wakefield , Quins , Cas , Salford , Celtic , none of these are any better than Widnes now or even potentially Fax , Fev , Barrow , Haven or Leigh with 3 years of SL behind them

Yes but thats not the point. Putting Castleford and Wakey and Quins in the league below will move them backwards. We need to stick with them. These 3 teams along with Hudds need to be dragged up to the right standard by continuing developing in super league. Widnes IMO are now ready to step up once they have been in super league for a few years.

minority sport in over saturated areas, we're screwed really lets admit it