after listening to boots an all last night I was close to giving in

if I ever come close enough to hemmings he will get a right gob full from me the bag

If we didn't get a franchise this time obviously we would then ask the RFL why and what parts of the app we failed and what we need to work on, the ask for a break down of the apps of other clubs. After that we should move on professionally and work on getting back in SL ASAP. I don't believe the theory of once out we will never get back in. Wakefield Trinity playing in up to date stadia with the city's businesses behind it will be an assett to RL & the RFL will and does recognise this. It's AGs job to make sure this happens he has said he has a 10 year plan and along as that means making us a competitive SL club even if we have to take step back he and the club have my full support

there will be a jocks team before they let us back in

Listen you lot! The Championship is an absolutely fantastic competition to be in. In terms of entertainment value it completely outshines SL. It's played by honest and extremely talented lads who give their all for their respective clubs unlike many SL club players who are just going through the motions in theior cosy little comfort zone. What needs to happen is for the RFL to promote it and educate the public as to just how good this competition is.

My club, Featherstone Rovers, has never had a smell of SL as we too were sacrificed for Paris and London back in 1996, just months after competing in the Challenge Cup semi final in fron of 23,000 fans. Our average attendances at the time were similar if not better than yours and we've subsequently lost around 3000 fans. The franchise arrangement has affected attendances still further due to fans feeling that their hopes and aspirations of playing top flight rugby have been taken away and we're now left with a hardcore home support of 1500 on a good day despite only losing three games in almost two seasons.

However, we have what we have and the BOD at Rovers are as determined as ever that the club will be the best outside of SL both on and off the field of play. We have a great scholarship set up with under 16 and 18 teams beating several of their SL counterparts, a first class community dept, a ladies team, a wheelchair team and are currently upgrading the stadium to SL standard with work having already commenced. I'm telling you all this to demonstrate to you that Being in the Championship is certainly not the end of the world if you have a BOD which is determined to fight the adversity and get on with things regardless.

You seem to have a go ahead chhairman in Andrew Glover so there's no reason why the Wildcats can't do the same as Rovers. He'll need each and everyone of you behind the club if he's to make a success of it in the Championship. Crying in your beer isn't going to help is it?

That's if, indeed you do go down, of course.

That's pretty much the way I feel as well. I can handle relegation if we are the worst in the league but not this when you believe that there are at least 2 applications that are not as good as ours.

If went down I'd hope we would be looking to come straight back not be happy to be a lower division club and end up bitter and angry

I would be angry with the RFL because if we go down it makes a sham of the franchise system. The only way I would walk away from the club would be if we didn't show any ambition to get straight back up. This city's only pro sports club needs to be in the top division not a part time league forever

No it doesn't.

Thanks for your thought provoking and considered reply to my posting. I was trying to be encouraging to your fans. I'll not waste my time in future.

I'm not going to blow smoke up your arris old lad - NL1 is in no way, shape or form more entertaining than SL and that, I'm afraid, is a fact.

Sorry if I didn't respond very positively to your encouragement - it was based on a false premise and thus, was a tad patronising.

Some of you really deserve championship rugby league. The way you talk about it and slag it off is sad and you will at least learn a lesson about the lower leagues. Your club is not too good for the championship, and several of the clubs in it would shine in the super league given the chance but they never will. It's an entertaining league but its being treated shoddily by those in charge of the game.

I know about leagues lower than the SL and I'm quite ready for what we may have to cope with

still think there is another twist in the tail