I’m still of the opinion that there will be no P & R in the 2014 season.

Not that I’ve got any info, highly unlikely living in this RL wasteland, however, I’ve just got a sneaky feeling.

I would love to be a fly on the wall when all the CEO’s meet up to discuss the plans for re-structuring. There are the big guns fighting over more power, London screaming for dispensations, Bradford’s iconic status on shaky ground & us apparently happy to tow the Hertherington party line, for the good of the game .

Ditto.

Although it is arguable that the game isn't big or strong enough to cope with promotion and relegation, the same is true for franchising.

Think back to the last round of franchising. Both Kear and JD said that we couldn't get anyone to sign for us because we were seen as a dead cert for not getting a franchise. We were dead men walking.

Also, the criteria meant that clubs did stupid things that were as financially disastrous as they do with promotion and relegation. For example, the point awarded for having a certain number of members meant that clubs offered cut price memberships. Look at how that turned out at Bradford and us. Equally, ground improvements were made that were welcome but seemingly not affordable (with hindsight).

The only way to make franchising work properly is by not having the 3-yearly cycle of "who is going out?" and by making it a true closed shop. But what of those not in it? Would wither and die as surely as they would by dropping a couple of divisions.

Put simply, the game isn't big enough to cope with either. For me, the excitement and fairness of relegation is my favourite. Just. As opposed to the perceived unfairnesses of licensing, particularly with the emphasis on expansion over other criteria.

But thats why running a rugby team is not like running a high street business... the variables are far too great... a sustainable club may be sucessful in terms of its financial management but it is unlikely to compete against the 'rich mans hobby' clubs in the chase for trophies.

you are never on a level playing field, yet all are chasing the same, single point, of success.

a sustainable club though is far more likely to attract additional investment, maybe you are creating the first genuinely sustainable model, interesting times.

I’m definitely in the P & R camp, however, I feel the reduction of the top league is a retrograde step & as for the league splitting into three eights, it’s just too gimmicky.

The main bone of contention with the current system was there were too many dead rubber games, well, add relegation into the mix & the intensity would surely be ratcheted up.

A one up, one down system would be my preferred option, but not until the 2015 season. When clubs were given a licence in the 2012 season I’m sure it didn’t stipulate they could be relegated in the third year if they finished in the bottom two.

To pull up the drawbridge would be a cardinal sin, as supporters of every club dream of the big time & claiming the ultimate prize, Christ I’ve been waiting for forty years.

Jeez, bit of a thread drift, sorry mods, but I didn’t start it.

The solution is to have a top division and add to the league to build it up. If/when it gets to a sufficient number then split it into conferences. The half and half sysyem we had didn't work in the short time it was in place but it needed tweaking not abandoning.

Any possibility of making the Hetherington sign a permanent deal? It was the best signing the club has made in years.

I do not doubt the assistance that has been received, and as a Trinity fan I’m very grateful.

But, if the consequence of your loyalty is to back a twelve team structure, with a gimmicky three eights format is the price to pay, the situation must have been very dire indeed.

So in reality, has Kath saved yours and Chris's houses and helped find a way of getting rid of 500k of deficit? If that's the case she was worth whatever wage she was on.

Ni, we'd have probably been able to do that bit on our own. But we wouldn't have got anywhere near the calibre of new signings that we have managed within budget. And also her knowledge of all things from retail to catering has been invaluable.

Are you looking to keep her on board for a season or two?

Anyone in her role gets judged on results.
I'm happy so far. I hope she stays and keeps getting good results

If Sky want relegation, they are going to sacrifice the quality of the game for 4 or 5 weeks of excitement in a relegation dogfight at the end of the season.
The quality goes down meaning when contract for broadcasting rights comes up, it's not as attractive, so less money is offered.
Sky a winner all ways round.