I know its a few weeks away yet but does anyone know what date the franchises will be announced and will the Tavern be open for the decision like it was last time?

I think the franchise comes out in last week in july I believe not sure on date. As for tavern I would think it would be open like last time

Has the Tavern got Sky?

rlJuly 31strl





' In July' & towards the end of July, there just waiting for Matt Parish ...

Has the Tavern got beer?

I was thinking about this the other day, as Widnes have been granted a SL licence would Salford be vulnerable?

Personally id expect Wakefield due to finances and Facilities, but if it wasn't for Barton then there would be a case for Salford to worry, may even still be...

Also it is a worry for Castleford/Harlequins,Crusaders not that there going to kick any of them out..

Im sure it will be a last minute decision to grant Halifax a licence and have a 16 team SL.

I struggle to see who is most vulnerable, Crusaders could not win another game, but they are buzzing about the whole North Wales affect and marketing will keep them safe. Also with the London based side, other than Quins rebranding I cant see them having anything to worry about... which leaves Salford, Wakefield, Castleford.

Big Decision to make....

It would be terrible for the RFL to kick Wakefield out of Superleague with it's history and tradition, also we have never finished bottom of the table in the superleague era and probably won't even with entering administration having players taken and patching a team together.

Although, you must surely recognise that both ourselves and Cas have a history and tradition card too?

I understand that's why Harlequins/London Bronco's must be kicked out as they have no fans,haven't got there own stadium and the team is usually poor.

Aha, with you now. Got the wrong end of the stick there. My bad.

Good, how is Sean Gleeson going at the reds this season out of interest?, he was poor for us last season.

this is the rub and will make any expulsion decision almost impossible...

Wakefields bid..

the franchise bid shows costed and guarenteed (including the placing of contracts to start August 2011 and be complete Oct 2011) stadium improvements at belle vue, improvements will make Trinity a b grade stadium (just short of A grade compliance) All the infrastructure is temporary and will be relocated to Newmarket to support the infrastructure for the reserve grade/ training facility... if thats not good enough for the RL there is a 4 year contract agreed with Oakwell (an grade A facility!)... the plans for the new newmarket sports complex are costed and fully funded, and literally no-one expects the December PI to go against the development which will be a huge and significant sports and education complex right in the middle of west Yorkshire (which goes way beyond A grade)... Wakefield is a city team... one of the aims in setting up SL was a newtwork of city teams... the new owners have guarenteed full salary cap expediture next season and beyond ... with a business plan and finances to back it up... the club are (at their own expense) advertising on television for every home game... which the whole game benefits from... since the takeover the income vs expenditure sheets show the club running at a profit, and new revenue streams are being introduced constantly... the club (as a superleageue entity have become an integral part of the cities community, supporting learning and development opportunities across scores of schools in the area, including excellent scholarship schemes for young players... a new retail outlet is opening in the new city centre Trinity walk shopping centre... with guarenteed presence for rugby league sales in a major shopping centre.. the youth set up is first class... and is producing real talent for the game... membership and attendances are up, significantly... and growing weekly... bridges with local business (including press) which were once very poor are being re-built with openness and honesty. The new club even managed to attract around 1500 people to a hotel on the outskirts of the city for a news conference in June!!

all of which has been achieved on the back of taking over a failing business run by a failing businessman... just imagine what this team can achieve with a full franchise period..


FWIW I think Cas and Salfords bids are just as valid but for different reasons. The awarding or taking away a franchise is far FARmore than relegating a football team to a lower playing division... taking away the franchise will be a blow to the community and prosperity of the area excluded..

TBH the only two clubs which could leave without significantly affecting their community are London and Wrexham... and I really hope that situation changes in the next franchise period.

good luck come July and enjoy the new stadium!! you have waited long enough!

He's been pretty good. He missed many of the early rounds with injury but upon reaching full fitness, Ash Gibson sustained an injury resulting in Gleeson getting a 2nd chance. He hasn't really looked back. Strong defence and a big right foot step. He set up a cracking try v Wire out of nothing