Quote: The Clan "Wooahh!
Hold on there fellamilad!
Some of us have voiced our opinions against franchising since the day it was first mooted, my stance on the whole farce extends well beyond the effects it would have on Wakefield.
Lets also remember that Wakefoiled were unfairly removed from the top flight of our game when SL was first introduced and we won our way back on the field. Even then we had it tough by first being denied the promotion we had won and then being denied any SL money for 2 years. Despite that we've never finished bottom and IMO we don't deserve to go out now even with the convoluted system that the RFL have thunk up.
If the Championship clubs want to have a go I'm all for it but don't expect us to roll over just because popular rhetoric says we are the weakest link though by any logical measure we obviously are'nt.'"
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Sadly you are in the minority when it comes to disageeing with the franchise system as far as many SL fans are concerned, judging from the reaction I get when speaking to them but good on you for seeing the franchise system for what it is. We too were left out of SL at the start and have struggled and still are struggling to recover with many fans staying away because there isn't a path into SL as far as many are concerned, 'they don't want us' is pretty much the attitude many exiles have and i think they are right..
What you will find is that the number of fans travelling to Wakefield will be limited in lots of cases to less than 50 with the exception of Fev, Fax, Leigh and depending on when you play them possibly Barrow so your income from away fans will be severely dented meaning your parachute payment will need to be used to cover lost gate receipts. When you travel you should take enough to counteract any ridicule you might get but bear in mind if you think you have been hard done by then join the queue because the Championship fans have felt like it since the franchise system was introduced and beyond. As for being the weakest link, I don't think Championship clubs are too bothered about who gets kicked out as long as somebody does.There are strong arguments for it to be Crusaders (moving to North Wales when the franchise was for South Wales) and Harlequins for being bailed out and not improving attendances.
We will find out soon enough and by the time you do visit, if it is you hopefully our ground improvements will be well under way and we at least can enjoy a derby game with a decent atmosphere.