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 downhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/27705329rl

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.

To be honest Fax we all know why licencing was brought in, it had nothing to do with the reasons given, and it definitely had nothing to do with the likes of yourselves or us.
Wigan nearly went down and the 'big four' panicked and brought in a system to keep them safe no matter what. The fact that one of those 'big four' have since imploded just underlines what a mockery it always was.

I must admit I've always been of the same view.

Maybe but the biggest issue with the Franchise system was that it was open to abuse by interpretation by a very manipulative and corrupt RFL who changed the rules to suit SL clubs yet made those outside SL stick to their 'licence box tick exercise' rigidly and all this was done by almost secret ballot so nobody saw the true submissions by the Championship clubs so nobody would ever know whose did tick all the boxes or not.
That is my biggest issue with the RFL they are a closed shop and have total control, under the Franchise system the SL clubs barked to the RFL's tune as they dare not upset them so as to stay in SL and those outside SL had to do the same to stand any chance of ever getting in to SL, which was slim. Nigel Wood has as much power as Putin has in Russia and is probably as corrupt in most peoples eyes yet who will ever get him out???