I completely get your argument and agree that it is likely to pan out like that. But in effect SL will become even more of a closed shop than it is now. At least in the past when Wakefield, London and Cas have made the playoffs they have been able to live the dream. OK it probably hasn't worked to their long term benefit, but a SL with only 5 or 6 quality teams is no better than we have now, maybe even worse.

If the governance and structure of the game was improved and we had a SL with twelve teams who each season were able to grow their revenue and all spend at the cap wouldn't that make for a better league long term. This could be achieved by maximising the revenue brought in to the game, getting a good sponsor for the league would be a start. Then with one up and one down there is always the chance one of the lower league teams can climb the leagues and compete with the best, can you see that happening if the lower SL teams decide to spend to 75% of the cap as they have settled for mediocrity. These SL will be to good for the lower league teams but not good enough to really call themselves SL quality.

The problem with P+R is that you wont ever get a 12 team league where everyone grows. You will, at the very very very best(and overly optimistic imo) a situation where 11 clubs grow and one is hugely damaged.

A 10-12 team ringfenced SL where clubs work together to fight for a bigger pie, rather than fight each other for a bigger piece is the only way the game will get to where it wants. You are right that this depends on the governance, but I think it also depends on the structure of the top division and what are actually setting out to achieve.

True the likely hood in a 12 team league is that 8, 9 or 10 teams will be healthy and 3 teams may struggle, but with only one relegated teams can survive promotion if managed well then build over the next few years. If clubs aren't run correctly and enter administration then the points reduction should be sever enough to guarantee relegation, that way natural selection will often take care of the weakest clubs anyway.

If you take the idea of the league being ring fenced to its logical progression then why not push for a closed shop league with the lower league clubs becoming feeder teams. So in effect do the licensing thing properly and create franchises like the NRL or American sport.

I would. I would look to have centrally negotiated sponsorship, kit manufacturers, website design etc. great economies of scale there.

I would remove the youth development from SL clubs entirely, divert that funding to the amateur game and RFL centres of excellence, remove masses of duplication and waste in clubs fighting for players. Move them through an RFL development structure to 17, then put them to championship and C1 clubs for at least 2 years, before a draft at 18/19.

I wouldn’t necessarily see it as a closed shop, it would simply be add clubs when they are ready and the league can support them.

I think copying the Football league but without any money is a hiding to nothing. If the game is to grow it has to carve out its own market by being run differently.

I really like all your suggestions, it is very easy to see the reasoning behind it. I would definitely back a structure like that, but then again we are supporters of one of the teams that would benefit. It would be so difficult to sell it as a concept to RL fans as so many would miss out. However, if you want to be revolutionary and do something that is truly beneficial to the game I see all the positives. Although would I feel the same if Hull RL fans were asked to support one SL team ?

It's strange, I guess, but I can't think of anything worse!

My attitude towards those clubs who were against it, and their fans is simply that I understand they are against it, I understand that their club may lose out, but if enough people felt how they did to matter, we wouldn’t need to do it. The facts are that most clubs in the lower leagues aren’t ready for SL, aren’t ever going to be ready for SL, and don’t actually ever aim to be SL clubs. The likes of Batley and Dewsbury don’t want to be SL clubs, they do a fantastic job as semi-pro community clubs. We are talking about a very small amount of relatively small clubs.

Well, they've gone for it! 12 teams next year with the 3x8 !!!

Stunned at this decision, a decision which I feel will decimate season ticket sales which are the lifeblood of most clubs (including our own)

who is going to want to pay for a season pass when you don't know who you are playing when the league splits in 3?

You could pay expecting to see the likes of Saints, Wigan & Leeds, and end up playing Sheffield, Featherstone & Leigh. The majority of fans will keep their season pass money and pay on the day, and soon as a club hits a bit of poor form, or a game is on TV crowds will dip.

Will the rfl stick to poor grounds & crowds to kick the 2 out or bottom 2? If so London & who? Cas,bulls,wakey?

I would agree,

I can't say I like the idea of the split, all I really want is to see FC play.

If you're in the bottom 4 of SL, 3 home games will be against SL teams, and 4 against Championship sides.
And the fact that you're in the bottom 4 should mean the games are reasonably competitive, and relegation is at stake.

So is buying a pass really such an issue??

I won't be a season ticket holder any more for that structure. I've loved rugby league but it just seems to be more and more intent on making itself the novelty item non-fans regard it as.

Well i will be considering whether to renew next season. Promotion and relegation all fine but the 3x8 is stupid. Imo its a case of the tail(championship clubs) wagging the dog( SL Club)

Am not prepared to pay hard earned money to end up watching low quality sides

Fully agree , 3x8 is a Ridiculous decision and one which may see more clubs go t1ts up .