What i find interesting is that Governing bodies seem happy to have someone bankroll a team/organisation. It doesn't seem to matter how much debt they rack up so long as they're competitive on the field. Franchising is suppose to allow clubs to become stronger off the pitch without the pressure of onfield results (Relegation).

But it seems we have clubs continually spending beyond their means and whilst this time it's Quins in serious trouble. What happens when the other backers become tired of bankrolling the respective club?

The clubs in my opinion who are more deserving of a franchise spot are those that keep their house in order and aren't reliant on one backer.

With reference to Quins, it may be beneficial for them to drop a division, relocate and restart in an area where they can grow their attendances. Currently they're just surviving season after season which is no good. We can't expect the RFL to keep throwing handouts. A team in London will work, but it needs to be thoroughly thought out and needs a permanant home.

It sounds like everything right has been done. The RFL will play a greater role in funding grassroots in expansion in the South, which has to be right, and the majority shareholder will be forced to relinquish his share because he owns another club, which has to be right as well, because his Wigan-focus is bound to be a hindrance for Quins. Now they can attract another investor (or rich bloke who would rather blow his money on a plaything than give it to the taxman).

Is there a more corrupt league in any sport than this superleague ?

I just wonder when they are going to start the financial aid to Cas, Wakey Salford , even to saints cos they posted a big loss this year ........................................ My advice for this one is "dont hold your breath".

It makes the championship more attractive if just to get away from these bent s

makes me laugh sometimes what people expected of a franchise system, basically its SL that is the franchise, not each club so they can actually do what the hell they like to keep the franchise stable and if that means treating each club differently then i afraid its ok, and we all bought in to it. Like ive said before if mcdonalds could get in the vatican they would not care if they ever sold a burger.

Perry wrote:Facts people, facts.

London / Quins have NEVER been bailed out financially by the RFL or Superleague.
(When we reformed in 2005 there was no money received, all that happened was the debt to David Hughes was written off leaving Mr Hughes out of pocket).

The RFL have failed to enforce the condition that Ian Lenegan sell his shareholding in Quins within 2 years of taking over Wigan, but they have enforced the condition that forbids Mr Lenegan from investing any money in Quins (not that Mr Lenegan is complaining about this I suspect).

David Hughes is not asking for a handout, he is asking that the situation regarding Ian Lenegan owning 65% of the club be resolved, and that the RFL start to address their responsibilities regarding development of the game.

Just posted this on the VT in response to the above post, I have nothing particular against Quins but this whole business seems to have the usual RFL smoke and mirrors about it :


Sorry, call me cynical, but I suspect this call for "assistance" re the development of the game is a smokescreen to try and avoid a public outcry from other struggling clubs, who see the RFL's willingness to assist so called expansion clubs at the detriment of traditional heartlands clubs as unfair.

The losses Quins are suffering cannot be attributed to the cost of the development of the game in the South, for the simple reason that no sane business man (which I believe David Hughes is), is going to pump GBP 1.5m a year into a club to cover such costs - he would have said to the RFL years ago, sorry but this is not our responsibility - you need to bear some of the burden.

Also not sure what major difference IL not having 65% of the shares has to do with it either. If these are relinquished for nothing by IL at the request of the RFL, what difference will that make to David Hughes? He will still be pumping in the same amount of money just owning 100% of the shares - therefore Quins are no better off and neither is David Hughes (or am I missing something).

I also think we need to remember RFL said at least one club, there is a recession, probs a double dip so this may be a little bit of a domino if one club goes maybe others will follow, in that banks may call in the debts of many due to lack of confidence, of course Pies Leeds and Stains would be safe, it would be the lesser less secure clubs, into which Wakefield falls

David Hughes has successfully ensured the club's future by ensuring that the Wigan Warriors owner is forced to part with his majority shareholding in Harlequins Rugby League club.

My understanding is that a deal with the RFL has been agreed and is close to being rubber stamped.

It is anticipated that a new owner will be announced within the club on Tuesday but we are yet to uncover whether this is the RFL confiscating and holding the shares prior to a real buyer coming forward or indeed the much more desirable, actual new owner.

Whatever the arrangement it will be communicated to supporters in the middle of next week to ensure that the 2011 season ticket renewal process can start and that Friday is a celebration of the 30 year anniversary rather than the last game ever.

No timescales have been announced in terms of a new manager but there is widespread acceptance within Rugby League that John Kear is the preferred candidate, although compensation for the remaining year of his contract may need resolution.

In terms of the playing squad for next season, we definitely have at least half a decent first team signed up for 2011 including Centres Howell and Clubb, utility player Chris Melling, Luke Gale, the Hookers Randall and Ellis and Prop Oliver Wilkes plus Captain and Loose Forward Robert Purdham. Karl Temata is also under contract, but is rumoured to be considering retirement.

It is widely expected that, with the exception of a few London youngsters, that the rest will be leaving. These include Louie (St Helens), Will Sharp (Hull), Danny Orr (Castleford), Williamson (retirement) and BJB (returning to Leeds) whilst the likes of Ben Jones, Ben Kaye and Ryan Esders have already found Northern clubs.

Of the rest Luke Dorn is supposed to be staying although some commentators have linked him to St Helens, Danny Ward is expected to leave and Jason Golden is unconfirmed either way.

The club is believed to have signed at least one of Gareth Moore and Kyle Briggs for next season.

Of the players on the market during this stand-off between the RFL and Quins RL, a fair number of senior players who would have improved our team have joined Salford including Paleaasina, V.Anderson, Nero and Stephen Wild but David Hughes has been keen to stay clear of signing or re-signing older players this year.

We have also missed out on Kevin Penny, who was enticed by Wakefield earlier in the season and of the other desirable youngsters in a position we have at least one space in we have also missed out on Shaun Ainscough. Rikki Sheriffe is widely tipped to return as one of the wingers.

Still, many other clubs are also full or even morally over the 'cap' with overseas players so I believe we will be able to entice good players for 2011 from the NRL as the competition won't be as fierce as last year for signatures and if we are re-classified as a non-heartlands club that will help.

we out-enticed you??????????????????

bloody hell you are skint!

www.skysports.com/story/0,19528, ... 16,00.html

www.skysports.com/story/0,19528, ... 16,00.html

Why do i smell bull ?????
Any other club would be out on their and for the tennis loving Lewis to sanction this is just another kick in the teeth for heartland clubs.

One of us is going on the back of this crap and i ask again, Is there a more corrupt league in any sport than this farce called Superleague ????????

There seem to be quite a few posters who are incensed with the goings on at Quins.

But, most appear to be from Wakey, Cas, I wonder why?

Whether the club with various guises fails or not, shouldn’t detract from what we’ve got to do. Get a new ground.

People can pontificate all they want regarding Harlequins, if Red Hall want them, their in. However, it’s interesting that David Hughes is now expected to confirm they will be in SL next season, but what about after that?

It’s costing the bloke a small fortune every year and fair play to him, but, whom in their right mind is going to want to buy into an organisation that will continue to haemorrhage money?

Hmmm and they aint the only ones with that problem, send Stephenson on dragon's Den

corrupt without a doubt.Have u noticed,the clubs that are safe from ever being thrown out,dont say anything.Stinks to high heaven.The crusaders the sky panel the lot,When will it all change they are losing more fans with the way its run.when if they shown That is was a fair comp it would grow much faster

London are the only team in Super League that never earned its place. Elevated there at the start with Paris. Everyone else was either above the cut off point or has since earned promotion. Never agreed with us and Widnes abstaining in the vote to ditch them last time they went belly up.

Err not a rumour, it's fact , it's his job! But I don't understand why we are not involved NEXT YEAR any more than you do! But don't let facts get in the way of snide remarks.