To be fair Rob, Wakey have made proposals to cover most of the ground and input more seating at Belle Vue as a temporary measure, so although not "Premier standard" it will meet most criteria in terms of capacity, etc for an "SL" standard ground.
This only needs to be in place by the start of the 2012 season, which as it's only temporary I can't see why they won't be able to do this.
On the other hand, average attendance is extremely poor and the finance side obviously fails due to almost going bust.

Halifax's problem last time was due to The Shay which has now been solved. I dont know about their youth development but without the monetary advantages of SL, they surely can't be asked to match SL teams on this directly?

I would love to know the reason how Wakey statisfy the criteria better than Halifax do...

We didnt get an A grade license? 4 teams did we was not one of them.

What was our average crowds over the last 3 years? (08-10) I'm sure it was more than 9K each year but can anyone confirm?
Apart from that we meet all the other criteria 100%. (Banking on our turnover being more than £4m which if not I'll eat my hat)

YES WE DID

www.therfl.co.uk/news/article/23 ... es-awarded Explains the RFL's decisions One of the A grade licences have gone to Wigan I imagine a few of their posters will be slightly tumescent at this news.

www.therfl.co.uk/news/article/23 ... es-awarded Explains the RFL's decisions One of the A grade licences have gone to Wigan I imagine a few of their posters will be slightly tumescent at this news.

Why didn't somebody just ask that Euromillions couple did they fancy a go?

That's what I'd have done had I won £161 Million, bought Saints and just ran them into the ground. When someone would have said "Sir, do you think it's wise having Warren Stevens at prop, he's not really a Saints first teamer .." I'd have fired them for questioning me.

After 3 years of systematically ruining the club, I'd sell the club for £1 but ensuring I sold it to some puddled bloke from Clockface who'd also have no idea.

I'd also have made replica jerseys £199.99, served beer at the stadium warm and only in Ken Barlow 'halves' and I'd have given the head coaches role to Sean McRae on the basis the tache returned.

You forgot to mention the day-glo pink and yellow kit.

i thought it was 3 year franchises, what's with the 2012-2014 malarlky?

2012, 2013, 2014 = three years/seasons.

Who were the A grade licences? I can't access all websites at work to check, but I assume us, Wigan, Leeds and Hull FC?

I don't know if you are being tongue in cheek but i think it is due to the seasons tarting in February and ending in October.

2012- feb- November
2013- feb- November
2014- Feb to July.

no i'm just being a pedant, it's clearly only 2 1/2 years, the new franchise should be reviewed in 2015 after 3 seasons to prevent what is going to happen this season, crusaders are gonna fold like a cheap card table now, thus gifting a heap of points to the teams that are due to play them! hardly fair imo. if you place a bid for a 3 year franchise it should be 3 years!

the 4 teams with a grade were as you said DKM leeds (how) pies, us and hull.

As Halifax are now effectively the Widnes of the last three years, we'll see how strong the RFL really are if any of the chosen fourteen do what Wakefield and Crusaders have in the last twelve months then.

With a strong candidate chomping at the bit to replace them, it should at the very least keep the Grade C licence teams on their toes.

Saints will probably be A standard by the next round of applications thanks to their new ground, Bradford are unlikely to repeat their successes of the first decade of Super League but could still reach A standard, and Huddersfield only need to increase their crowds to do the same I imagine - which they surely will if they continue their relative recent on pitch success.

Standards are getting higher, so if you can't even come close you're going to be looking over your shoulder.

4 Grade A licences: Hull FC, Leeds, Wire, Wigan.

That should always stay the same next time around


5 Grade B: Bulls ,Catalan, Hudds, Saints, HKR.

Saints to rise to A, Hudds more fans rise to A, if Bulls ever move out of Odslum also an A but a B next time round.


5 Grade C: Cas, Quins, Salford, Wakey, Widnes

I'd imagine Widnes bordering an A license in 3 years and Cas if IF they get the new stadium also upgrading to a B bordering on A.

I expect Salford to improve aswell to B so would just leave wakefield and quins on a C depending on how Widnes do over the 3 years. By the time the next licenses come around majority of teams will be playing in good stadiums with good facilities, without licensing i doubt this would have been likely