McManus..........

“[i I propose a mini-licensing system to get a twelfth club for next year. Let the RFL and SLE CEO Robert Elstone come up with the criteria, but they could invite some of the more ambitious clubs that are currently outside Super League to make applications. “St Helens will abstain from any vote pertaining to the inclusion or otherwise of any constituent member club of Super League, or as to any other form of sanction which may be levelled at any fellow club. There is an unacceptable level of conflict of interest involved for us and for any other SLE member club".[/i

As if the the RFL and Elstone aren't in Superleague's pocket anyway................

This comes just as the Championship mini comp is set to collapse with only five clubs interested........

I like how you just cherry pick one quote out of the entire article.

Why don't you include all his comments, including the quotes where he supports Toronto?

Toulouse are the obvious choice, flights are cheap and hotels plentiful - cant wait

Worry not about the trolling, It's not gonna be any guest club, it will rightly be a member club and Featherstone are such members. I like the sensible comment on TRL about how this mess is of Ralph Rimmers making, after all he sold Superlegue the dud that was Toronto.

So the idea is Ralph does not sell us another dud

Ralph can run round the championship clubs and see who can fit the bill and not collapse like a pack of cards, with Elstone making sure that whoever he offers fit the SL criteria, or will fit it come 2021, or even work towards fitting it 2022. Finances, ground, reserve side etc with my guess the queue will be Leigh, Fev, Newcastle, Widnes, London, Bradford.

Newcastle would bring enough headlines, especially real expansion ones, to help the phoney TWP memories pass quickly, but I've always had a soft spot for Mr. Beaumont whose efforts for Leigh have been admirable.........

Because that doesn’t fit his narrative. Let’s not forget the amount of times he told us “I know for a fact that McManus wants Toronto out of SL”. Thankfully, those who actually heard McManus speak at forums, knew this was complete garbage.

You talking to yourself again

That’s fair enough I wouldn’t object to Leigh, Widnes, London, Newcastle or York either so long as the process by which they are selected is robust.

In fairness, that's a very honest response.
You cant bemoan a club for taking advantage of "loanees", it's the system that allows such "abuse" that is wrong

Going off last season's events which I doubt they will have to anyway because Toronto will be allowed back in or stay in super league, depending on which way you look at it. It should be either London who Toronto replaced or Featherstone who lost to them in a final who are the twelfth club. (Leigh fan)

That would be the right / fair response.
However, this is Rugby League and with certain parties desperate to fit Bradford in to SL, by whatever means, suggests that "fairness and good sense" wont be the deciding factors.
IF a particular club is favoured for whatever reason, the criteria will be "adjusted" to accommodate them ie "success during the SL era" or, "playing in an iconic stadium".

Having said that, who ever gets selected, it will cause problems and complaints from those who feel they have been overlooked.

It is difficult to see too far beyond London and Fev but, Toulouse would be a great addition and would allow the first proper French derby game in the professional era.

No mate not at all. He was ready to leave for the RLIF when they came a calling. The Championship clubs were happy to have them as they are happy to have Ottawa and Toulouse.

if you want a proper French derby then relegate Catalans and get the clubs to play French players.

McManus is proposing "criteria" for what he says will be a "Mini Licensing" excersise. I suppose it will include.......

1, Ground
2. Finances/commercial partners
3. Player development
4. Business plan going forward

So doesn't look like it will be done on whoever missed out because of their antics. McManus wants the strongest club with the best plan going forward out of those who apply.