I realise that a weak London side could help our cause and that talking about London on the Trinity forum may not be popular.
However, it would appear that, because of the new IMG gradings, it is impossible for London to survive in SL beyond next season (even if they win the GF and Cup) and therefore, they are likely to go into next season with a part time squad and possibly be weaker than we were last season.

Is this in any way, shape or, form, good for the sport ?

As I said, it may help our cause but, it's just wrong, absolutely wrong.

I read somewhere that they were going to keep good the deals for part time players next year. It’s going to be potentially a very tough year for them next year. I don’t think they are prepared and will struggle to attract any decent calibre of players given their IMG score will more than likely punt them from SL after a year. It’s not healthy or a good luck seeing a team getting mullered week in week out. Look at what we were subjected to, it was hard enough watching as a die hard fan never mind a fair weather fan or someone new.

They've thrown a spanner in the works no doubt, but it kind of shows they weren't ready as a club for promotion, albeit achieved it on merit.

They are worse prepared than we were and we were awful, so they would likely have lost most games and be relegated anyway. At least they kind of know their future, so can take the cash boost and invest it in the club rather than on players, who are not good enough, who would be unlikely to change their fate.

I can see what IMG are trying to do and we are right at the start of that process. Once we've been running with it we shouldn't see this occurrence again.

First thought on this, we can't now refer to the top tier of Rugby League in this country as fully professional, as there is a team that isn't , which is relatively embarrassing really for the sport itself.

My second thought is, if this was us or Cas people would be going mad and calling for us to be thrown out of SL.

My other thoughts surround player welfare, which is apparently a big topic at the moment? There is a big difference between a part time player and full time player, especially when you are putting these players against each other every single week.

Exactly my thoughts.

The SL has always been full time till now and should remain as such. This really does lower the quality of the league.

Basically they’ve receive 1.5 million funding and are not using it to fund a full time team. As you say if Trinity or Cas had done that there would have been endless sniping at them. I believe they will run threadbare this season and then save the money to invest in topping championship in 2025.

The honouring of part time contracts for players with jobs only comes into it because in 12 months those players will be back job hunting again and going back to part time.

They really have become a fly in the ointment.

It's certainly true that a fly or two have gone into the ointment.

Yes, they should certainly be moving to a FT squad for SL but, with the cast iron guarantee of "relegation", for them, they are right to try and be ready for the following season.
They literally have nothing to play for.

Are they "unlucky" with the timing of their promotion or, has the sport let them down (badly).

Not too many years ago, having London in SL was seen as a fundamental requirement of the sports long term success and whilst this point is open to discussion, the current situation is wrong.

It's a farce, it's wrong that the 5th team in the Championship (18 points behind the leaders) got promoted, it's also ridiculous that they already know they will be out regardless of performance this year. I'd still not be surprised if they bend the rules for them, put them in a football stadium and have their points based on this season alone etc. etc.

It's just a fallout from the changeover.
They've invested in a team that can win promotion without investing in anything else.
History tells us teams that do this eventually go bust.

IMG is trying to stop that cycle.

Ultimately its better for us as they'll be below us on the scoring even if they perform well.

Why is it a farce that 5th place gets promoted?
It's a playoff system and they won fair and square.

Just like football.

They are in a football stadium ? (Wimbledon)

Football only uses this for the second promoted side. The top side gains automatic promotion.

So is it OK if the 5th side is promoted in football or is it a f.
It's been the same for a long time now.

The point being made is the top side gets promoted, the 5th side only gets promoted after the play off following the top side (well top 2 sides) getting promoted, surely you can see the point being made

They did what they had to do based on the rules applicable, in fact being 5th made it all the more credible. They deserve their chance whatever the circumstances and whatever their results are in SL.
It is regrettable that for us this season the SL boat has sailed so I guess we must concentrate on the teams in the Championship and hopefully have a chance next season to once again return to SL. We could do this in theory from 8th for example so would you think that was unacceptable?