"Gateshead get dispensation for this reason:

Clubs in the championship are semi-professional. They have the same legal obligations as a full time club, but without the revenue. It's extremely hard to find the money to get players to relocate on a part-time wage, so heartland clubs have the VERY distinct advantage of a bunch of top-line amateurs playing on their doorstep (literally, in the case of LSV/Easts).

Development area clubs don't have that. The dispensation on o/s players is to allow a levelling of the playing field... i.e. Gateshead can't just sign a Ridyard from the local amateur team, so it's fair to give them a broader criteria to widen their available talent base.

To answer Demon's question as to what Gateshead are doing for development, there is a substantial development team based at the Gateshead International Stadium, where the RFL's Regional Team work hand in hand with the Gateshead Thunder community development staff. In particular Andy Kelly has just been started in post Regional Talent Coach, implementing an extensive programme throughout the locality.

It is to be hoped that the NE RL Conference, within a decade or so, can produce senior teams of a comparable standard to Miners, Easts, Hunslet Parkside, Egremont, and all the other senior BARLA clubs that feed into the pro clubs in the heartlands. Until that long-term progamme comes to fruition, Gateshead 'deserve' their dispensation precisely to ensure the competition is fair."

Well explained. The best explanation I have come across.

But there's funding from the RFL for development in the Wigan and Leigh service area, too. Some of this is based at LSV (eg the new League for All officer, Phil Roberts, who's a top fella and one of the leading lights behind the England Wheelchair Rugby World Champs). That'll count towards our development (or at least, to the same degree that the NE RFL team's work is).

All in all, the heartlands get far more money and support from the RFL than development areas, simply because there's so much more there to support.

You honestly believe that

Not saying that money is not spent in the heartlands , just the way it is then presented and accredited

I think its unfair that Batley are allowed to play on an un-level playing field

Thanks, you have answered my question! Surely it's better for a team to have no advantage regarding the Pitch ( no speech marks)! playing with the elements has always been a feature of any field sport however, running uphill or, downhill should not be allowed hence, Level Playing Field!

Has anyone on here ever played on the pitch at Batley. Is the slope really that bad ? I would be interested to know. The results seem to show its a problem.......2004 anyone.