Talking to many friends in the North, they are now going to less games, being selective, party because of ticket/admission prices, but nearly all of them agree that rugby league should accept it is just a small time Northern sport and that is how they should go, even if it means going back to semi-pro once more. Personally I find that really disappointing. The NRL seems to be going further away from us as a sport, France is now weak as a national side, we have gone backwards.

Note still no announcement about the Bulls, and the meeting was Wednesday, there seems to be a complete media black out? wonder why?

Perhaps because the independent panel who are considering the issue (NOT the RFL) have not yet reached a conclusion?

No media blackout. It's been announced in the press and on twitter by the RFL that the panel have asked the Bulls to provide more evidence to back up their claim.

Back to the point of the thread. Whilst there is much to criticise about the RFL, in particular their seeming desire to keep league a small time parochial regional sport, a bit like curling in Scotland, nevertheless they must be frustrated with how the Broncos management have mishandled the club. Stories regularly appear about how sound advice has been ignored or rejected. I strongly suspect Wood has given up and focuses his energies on Bradford who were a strong club 20 years ago, a long time

Big Nigel, focusing energies, well that is a joke! falling attendances, referee's constant complaints the list could go on and on, plus we wait to see how he changes the World Game in his new role, and for me Blake Solly will only be a voice piece! for Nige with no power.

I'd agree that we have been appallingly run, and didn't deserve to be propped up.

But what annoys me is that Nigel keeps pretending that they did so much for us. As far as I can tell the assistance didn't go much beyond a few kind words.

If he'd said "We didn't help because the club was being mismanaged" that's fair enough. But he keeps peddling the myth of providing support, and it's just BS.

When we went bust mid season the RFL did a lot behind the scenes that has never become public. I doubt we would have reformed without this. I have no inside knowledge of what happened last winter but won't be surprised if RFL assistance went way beyond what is public knowledge. Discretion would suit both sides if it did.

Bradford appeal turned down:
[urlhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/27705329[/url

The basis of their case has always seemed to be 'Life is tough give us a break guys!' Not good enough for a legal challenge.

I thought the RFL were funding our marketing now. Do they do that for any other clubs ? They also turn a blind eye to us no longer meeting commitments of our licence application.

Licence conditions are history for everybody. It is clear the current regime have all but given up. Should the fans too? No new players, no coaching support for Grima. It's pretty grim!

You think you have been badly done to??
Under the Franchise system we had to tick so many boxes it felt like doing our GCSEs all over again yet SL clubs broke the rules and yet stayed in SL like you, Bradford and Wakefield all going bust!
Hey ho welcome to our world, it aint all bad some good rugby at times and true RL fans but be prepared for low crowds, oh you already have them so you will fit in!

No one cares about your victim mentality on these boards.