Well, that kind of thinking is what has always held us back. Fans think we are better than Cas and think it's unfair when someone says otherwise.

Hopefully that will now change but they are currently looking at a 3 year average around the 7.5k mark. We haven't been anywhere near that since the 60s.

Their social media following, ie people interested in the club is nearly double ours

And they've been more successful on the field over the last 40 years.

I don't think they'll get an A yet but they are no mugs. If they get their act together on finances they'll be up there.

It's up to us to compete, which with Ellis and Powell we now appear to be able to do.

They may not be mugs..
But they’re taking IMG for mugs

IMG for better or worse are an outside agency and therefore don’t care about rivalries, they have produced a points rating system and this will be the only deciding factor.

Can’t argue with this statement mate..
They are definitely impartial
But when trying to accumulate points clubs have bent the rules to suit their agenda.

But that's up to the RFL to audit the clubs.

But. Didn’t IMG set the criteria

Yes but it's the RFL who check you've done it right not IMG.

Just an observation with regards our near neighbours Castleford and their IMG score. They have indeed indicated based on several assumptions for which they have not got final figures for to accurately calculate their score and that they have enough to receive an A rating. If this is the case why are they not investing in new players and why start selling season tickets so early, are they trying to maximise their earnings before the final placing are announced just in case they got it wrong.

I don't understand why people are taking the mick out of or criticising Cas. They have basically read the criteria and worked out how they can achieve as many points as they can by spending as littlie as possible, to me that is just good business and common sense.

I agree.

I actually wish them well but wanted to point out the flaw in their SL statement and why it appears they do not actually believe it themselves. If we are honest, that other than those receiving a provisional A rating are sure of their place. I am sure all teams have some idea of their score but not how it compares to the other clubs.

They can work it out for others to a certain extent. It would take a bit of effort but you can estimate most of it.

Looking at the handbook it’s pretty easy like you say to work out what Trinity are most likely going to score. A lot of it is clear cut thresholds.

Our performance score looks pretty good to say we were relegated

Assuming everyone in Super League finishes where they are now, we would get a score of 2.7427. The same as we got last time.
That's assuming we win the grand final which puts us in 13th place on the ladder.
By winning the Grand Final we then get extra bonus points for just this year of 0.35 (1895 and Grand Final)

Which would be 3.0927 out of a possible 5

That puts us in a good position given the increase in stadium score.

Its hard to say what the final number is as I don't know the financials for our Community Foundation and I didn't go back and look at the previous years financials as both are an average of the past 3 years.
I think a big differential will be the social media Fandom section which is completely within our control. We need to be liking and sharing all those posts across all platforms.
But we are strong in the financial area and only getting stronger. A lot of other teams will be losing points in this area.

But given the bits I do know, I think we'll be heading for a 14.5 type number. maybe higher but not a 15 yet.
Another year of financial stability and we could be pushing for a 15.

Eamonn McManus has just revealed that Saints lost £1.319.274 in 2013 and is projected to see a further increase in losses in 2024.Due to smaller central distributions deriving from reduced broadcasting rights income. If a club like Saints are finding it impossible to run a successful team without being subsidised by a wealthy owner, the future for clubs without an owner with deep pockets doesn't look promising !