Think the whole stadium issue on both sides has been done to death and I will only believe it when either/both are built.

However, the article isn't purely about the stadium but also mentions our junior development, finances, sponsors etc etc and how we have progressed over the last 3 years. This is what franchising was suppose to help clubs do and IMO Cas are a perfect example of a club that has moved forward. You could even argue that we have progressed on the stadium front in that we have fpp (yes I know we need funds to build it).

What I don't get is that other than the stadium aspect when do Cas get mentioned in being weak in the so called other areas of the franchising criteria ?

Junior development - NO
Finances - NO
Community work - NO
Commercial - NO

And that is the thing that hacks me off about the whole process, what's the point in having a set of criteria to work towards when in reality it doesn't make a jot of difference.

We all know the both our clubs are stronger in most of the criteria than other clubs and I don't just mean the expansion sides, but for some reason we appear to be the only two in the frame to lose out...it really is baffling.

Anyway, good luck on the 26th the game we be weakened in the long term should either of us go.

Wonder if they will be doing an in depth interview with AG shortly,very much doubt it unless I've missed it.

Whilst there is lots of talk regarding Junior development, Finances, Stadium facilities, Community work, Commercial operations and so on you might be forgetting the following:-

1. Wakefields Administration
2. Current league standing
3. Attendances

Wakefield having city status means zero to the RFL - its just another straw your hanging onto.

Doesn't count, jog on.

The first two are irrelevant, as you ought to know before you join in a grown-up conversation and make yourself look daft.

Fair enough - I agree it doesn't OFFICIALLY count but I bet these 2 items are looked at if its a straight shoot-out between the 2 clubs.

1 and 2 don't count.RFL said before start of season admin was no longer taken into account after it happened to Crusaders.
Also Cas could be top of the league and winning by 100 points every week and it counts for diddly squat I'm afraid.
Also although Cas's attendances are higher than ours they have risen by around 9% I believe.

1. I thought this didn't have a bearing since the RFL changed the rules?
2. I thought this season didn't count towards this round of franchising?
3. Are better than some clubs in the league despite a terrible stadium and pish poor side.





All the RFL's 'criteria' is a load of bull anyway, just look at the injustices last time round. Also a 10 point criteria was supposed to be the blueprint for this round of franchising, however I don't think that is the case anymore as the goalposts have been moved. The whole process is shrouded in mystery by the RFL, but I would rather them say:

'Look we want a London and Welsh side in the competition, we will be helping them financially, we want to expand the sport around the country, these clubs are vital to that, and as such we will safeguard their Super League future'

At least then we all know where we are at, unfortunately there are just whispers in press releases where we have to read between the lines when we shouldn't have to. Why can't the RFL just come out and say it like it is. I wouldn't feel as bad about Wakey losing out on a franchise if I knew where we stood, but I don't, and as such will always be slightly bitter about the situation.

Would be very interesting but we all know it won't come to that as the announcement is a mere formality.
What would have been more interesting is if AG had taken us over 12 months earlier then I believe it would have certainly been squeaky bum time for Cas if you look at what he has done off field in such a short space of time.
PR is 100 times better.
TV advertising.
Revamping BV to SL standard.
We are now debt free,I believe apart from what he took on as goodwill.
Attendances are on the up.
Also the community side,junior development were already excellent so we would have been in with a decent shout.

.. and another fool rushes in!

But at least he's a new fool, self announcing as well, welcome Tigerade you're here at last!!!!!!