erm..but they didn't. And is finishing third in Champ 1 better than finishing 8th (assuming a 9 point deduction from Gateshead) or even 9th in the Championship? Put another way, would that Oldham team have earned more points than we did last season? Can't say I am an expert on their team - but I suspect not.

And you talk about on the field performance - well based on that, Toulouse should have gone down and not us. I think you've shot yourself in the foot there...

We knew the rules (whether I agree with them is another matter) before the season kicked off we finished in a relegation spot.

You or anyone else has still not give me a reply as to why we should be automatically re-instated unless as I've said 2009 isn't over. Don't get me wrong I as much as anyone else would be happy.

because and only if this is the case they are deducted 9 points for last season, in which case we didnt finish in a relegation place

Then I agree but like Fred I thought the season finished after the GF and therefore any penalty for offences after that must take place in the current season which in this case is 2010.

like I said the presedence was set after Widnes went bust the points were deducted the season after, and the 'timeline' re gateshead is similiar.

Whilst I agree with P&R and abiding by the rules if a non relegated club cannot viably operate in the Championship next season what can the RFL do ?

Seems pretty obvious to me and an 11 club Championship 1 and a 10 club Championship with 2 relegated after next season is laughable isn,t it ?

Provided Gateshead and Oldham start next season Leigh in the Championship is the only sensible alternative.

RFL and Gateshead in meeting all day today apparently. I would imagine that RFL will mostly do what Gateshead want. RFL will need to deduct some points.

I doubt Thunder will want to start in Champ next season 19/10 points down with a whole season to go with a poor team and a probable relegation at the end of it. Not great for marketing.

I'm sure they would prefer starting the year in Champ 1 with no points deduction and a poor side which could compete better.

If that is the case then the points would have to be deducted from the current/just gone season so Leigh would not finish in a relegation spot and should stay up.

But ultimately the RFL and Gateshead will find a solution which suits them both best. Leigh may benefit. I hope so but will not be holding my breath.

But Widnes stopped another team getting to GF not long back. They just got 9 point deduction. If they get 9 point deduction then its consistent tbf.

But you would think Gateshead would prefer to start in C1 instead anyway and get some momentum back, and build that way if they have no dosh.

Why is Leigh the only sensible alternative? If it's just to make up the numbers why not draw out of hat?

Glow

I think we are getting bogged down in semantics here. Whether its automatic or not, many of us believe that the best solution all around is for Leigh to stay in or be asked to take a place in the Championship. We are of course very biased!

Even if you argue that we were relegated fair and square and deserved to go down, how you can compare us to Oldham (who are on the verge of going bankrupt themselves) is very odd indeed. I honestly cannot see anyone coming close to us.

Having said that I think the RFL will plump for 2 divisions of 10 and shaft us again..

We was higher placed than teams below us - I think that helps. We also played a high calibre of opposition. Would also heal some wounds if we was stay up with RFL, and I doubt even opposition fans would be that against it considering our points tally etc.

I do have to say tho I am impressed with Mr Rowley this time round. The club seem to be accepting relegation with a lot of dignity in the public domain.