It is senseless to scrap the competition 12 months before any potential new structure for the game will come into play - 2014 (as far as anyone knows!!) will be exactly the same format as 2013...so why scrap it now???
If this decision is anything to do with the attendance for this years final, then maybe someone needs to get their head from up their ar$e, and realise that a final played at Halifax (nice enough venue that it is) was hardly going to be the same 'draw' as the now, well established day (or indeed weekend!!) at the seaside!!
From our own point of view - the format of the comp changed this season anyway - to reflect the increase in teams in the championship - so all we have lost out on is 'potential' revenue from one guaranteed fixture (as all Champ clubs entered at the KO stage of the comp........this loss could easily be made up from a couple more lucrative pre-season games against meaningful opposition, with a decent following!!
It's the Ch.1 clubs who've been kicked in the spuds over this, as they had the group games (with chance to get to a final).....now all they have is a 16 game season (plus play-offs.....unless the CH/CH1 GF's are also to be given the elbow!!), and maybe a couple of CC games if they are lucky!!!
After briefly - with the release of their recently comissioned report on the future of the sport - looking like they finally had a bit of professionalism in the administration, the RFL returns to what it does best....utter shambles!!!
I think it only right and proper though, that as four time winners, and current holders, we retain the trophy in perpetuity.....to sit alongside the Trans Pennine Cup, of which we are also the current holders, in our trophy cabinet at the LSV.......assuming someone remembers packing it when we de-camped Hilton Park!!
CONFUSED. COM.
Lets hope it continues.
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