Well the WRFU are trying to make RU massive in the north as well with lots of development initiatives but I agree with you.

South Wales is a "Rugby" heartland but yet can't support that many top flight RU clubs. So IMO there is easily room for a pro RL side down there such that it could attract good quality local players and get a good supporter base eventually.

It is IMO the only logical place for the team for those reasons. The fact Widnes is 30m from Wrexham isn't the issue for me. It's about the development of the game in Wales and if there is no team in South Wales then I don't see the point of a Welsh side. In Wrexham they may get some interest initially but despite some strong RU sides in the area such as Mold I just don't think it will take hold there as it could do in the south.

As the article says all the development work will have gone up in smoke down there and so much for Millennium Magic!

This has Gateshead written all over it.

If a Celtic team down there can't afford to stay in SL then they should just lose their franchise, drop back to the NL and try again when on a firmer financial footing. If that happened it would be a hell of a PR exercise not to see this as abject failure but better that than abandon South Wales IMO.

Dave

Frightening, I know.

But i agree with DaveO

Have heard today that the Crusaders look like moving lock stock and barrel to Wrexham where the money man there is Geoff Moss who heads up Elegant Resorts in Chester.
Newport could not raise the cash however they are looking to play three or four games in South Wales however it stills needs Leighton Samuels to sell the shares and the problem is Wrexham are willing to take most of the debt but not pay for doing so
Two are in the frame for a new Championship 1 side in South Wales one being a former director of the Ospreys who has fallen out with them.

As I said on the shirt thread where he and Wigan Pieman were positive about the New Shirt And Pemps was moaning, THE WORLDS TURNED UPSIDE DOWN!
And yes, I agree with him over Bilko's ML Outburst which is completely wrong and on this subject.

Must have lie down!

This is bad new for the RFL who had hoped that SL would finally take off in S wales but its good news for us fans who will be home in around 1 1/2hr, it will always be a northern sport in england sad but true reflection.

Apart from Harelquins, Catalans and the RLC.

Lets be onest, do Harlequins deserve to be in SL, i don't. A big waste of money. That money could have been used to help the likes of Batley, Dewbury etc and other heartland clubs in dire need of help.

Jeff

Quins have been trying for 28 years to get a crowd but they never will like some of the clubs in SL, catalan is a success because they have been playing RL down there for a long time.

How long have Leigh and Salford been trying to get a crowd?

If leigh was in SL next year they would average 7-8k because they averaged 5k at the hell hole that was hilton park but salford getting a crowd is another question.

Depends on your definition of failure. The grass roots level in London is finally paying dividends. I believe with the more talent London produces for the Harlequins the supporter base will increase further.

The Crusaders have obviously come into the SL too soon and the move to Wrexham could be damaging for the game. I wonder if the RFL will keep the Crusaders in the SL when the next franchise applications come up if they move to North Wales?

If your expecting expansion to be easy and cost-effective you need to have a re-think.

Quins are a bottomless pit that money has to be thrown into, but imo thats what we have to do in order to get teams set up where there isnt a fan base ready and waiting.

It puzzles me how Rugby League fans spend most of their time complaining that the sport doesn't get enough national coverage and that the mainstream media don't take it seriously enough and in the next breath advocate destroying the sports only top flight club in the countries capital city in favor of plunging money into Batley. Its self immolation.

Leighton Samuels is the sticking point as he wants money for his shares Wrexham are willing to pick up 70% of the debt and pay it but not pay for the ownership as its over £1 Million in debt.