I agree, promotion and relegation is the way forward, maybe the team getting promoted should be immune from relegation for a year to give them an opportunity to build a decent side. The step up from part time to full time is massive, But at the same time keeping aspects of the franchise system, like stadia, youth delevopment as key ingrediants of the promotion application which it was before.

As fans 1st and foremost we want a winning team, if you can do that playing in nice new stadiums with decent facilities and bringing your own youngsters then thats even better.

From an outsiders point of view can you please tell me what Widnes, the playing team, have done over the past few years? I know you managed 5th this year but how did you fair last time out and what have you won / finals reached to aid the franchise bid?

I know (or at least heard) about the administration from a few years ago but from recent news you've come back from that stronger than ever. Your stadium put's most current SL teams to shame and from what I have read you have a very sound "business" behind you.

There aren't many other teams that tick the boxes outside of SL so you are by far in the strongest position so with Harlequins, Catalan and Crusaders its an educated bet that that's 4 of the next licences sorted.

All the best for the off season and the beginning of next and I hope to see you in 2012 all being well.

"We hate it when our friends become successful" as the Bard of Davyhulme put it.

To echo fekafan, please just ignore the more inflammatory posts, as you have said yourselves they are just trolling. I defy anyone to honestly deny that Widnes are the most suitable candidates for an SL franchise by quite some distance. You saw what the RFL wanted and have acted on it brilliantly, I doubt there's a fan of another club on here who can honestly say that their wouldn't love to be in Widnes' position right now. I will admit that I am a bit jealous and suggest thats what is motivating the trolling, any anger over the franchise system should be directed at the RFL not Widnes.

Great support from you guys on Sunday, just unlucky for you that Des Johnston's strategy of sacking the coach and bringing Dave Clark back for the playoffs appears to be working again this year

Cheers mate.

I can honestly say, the people I met in Barrow yesterday seemed sound. Its just a few idiots, one of which wasn't even there yesterday, who have been acting up. No doubt some of our lot could be more diplomatic true.

i think at the minute we all need to accept that this franchise system has literally nothing to do with on feild success and could bank on Widnes still getting to Super league even if they hadnt won the Rail Cup last year.

on feild success doesnt matter anymore.

so i commend the Vikings on not putting so much into on feild success as they know they have no need for it.

everyone knows there getting the franchise. i think we should all move on from the subject.

the constant topics about the franchise system on the fax bored and other places is needless for what is a forgone conclusion.

rant over

Yes you are a Troll slagging off Widnes.It is about the big picture you idiot. Your team has spent on the first team only, but Widnes have done what the RFL have said you muppet.Where is Barrows youth set up and stadium?How much profit have you made?Your average gates?Say no more you troll.

I have a great deal of ambivalence towards this whole issue.

The title "widnes are cheats" etc implies wrong doing etc etc blah blah blah!

Now, Widnes not being one of my fav teams, got a shafting on Sunday and I kind of gained a little associative satisfaction out of that. But by 5pm SUnday my thoughts were back on thursday night!

Widnes have played the rules set down by Red Hall. We can protest, argue, spit, spat, pizz and moan about Widnes all we want - they didn't set the rules. Red Hall did - and Widnes have played the route well!! I don't understand the animosity towards the club.

Widnes will remain a team I always want to see beaten, and Barrow did that so well on Sunday. (My resentment goes back to too many tonkings at NP in the 70's)!
But I can't see how it's their fault the RFL set the way our game is going!

I have absolutely no confidence in Lewis or Woods whatsoever or faith in them to deliver growth, hope and faith in the future for our sport.

Great post their we all have sides we don't like and hope get smashed etc, but when they do well to cone out and label them cheats is plain ignorance tbh!

As you say Widnes just playing the game, I think a lot of clubs expected Widnes to kick up a fuss and put the RFL to rights being the big name in the league but we have decided to look after number one purely and simply and I think some may resent that!

Problem with sone Raiders fans is rather than think wow how good have are past few swains been IRS amazing! They have jumped straight at Widnes throats as if thinking we are the reasonthey are nit in SL from winning the league last year

i would not worry we will just look after ourselves i know were you are coming from not saying everyones clubs are moaning but we have got everything in place so hopefully we will be up there in 2012. no doubt i will get reaction from other clubs fans know about this.

You're about two years too late Gary....
It's the taking part that counts... just like Fax last year.

It is, but if you want your club to get out of this league, that isn’t enough anymore. You need to prove that you are equipped to be able to cope with Super League. That means financial backing, Sponsorship, Stadia and facilities, fan base, youth development and the whole gamut of infrastructure. The days of just ploughing everything into the first team, in order to gain promotion, and then struggling to hack it in SL before ignominious demotion, are over.

Licences are for 3 years and that would spell complete disaster for a club that doesn’t possess the much needed infrastructure and financial backing. Relegation was a safety net for such clubs, and allowed them to rebuild. Barrow would struggle if given a SL licence and would remain a ‘Grade C’ club for the foreseeable future. Widnes would be a ‘Grade B’ club within the first season and looking to be a ‘Grade A’ club by the end of the following set of licences, which would of course require some success.

If Widnes hadn’t ‘won stuff’ they wouldn’t be allowed to put a bid in for the guaranteed Championship place and, as such, almost certainly not get a licence.

This is the way it is. It is not of our making, so you are wasting your time bitching about it on here. You won’t find too many people who like the licence system on here, even though it favours our team. I would scrap it this season and make next season P&R and let the team which wins the Grand Final go up, and continue this every year from now on.

We have won the NRC and been to 2 finals.You came 4th in the league, one place above us and you think your team is so great.Sorry but Fax and Fev are better than Wheelbarrow, and you will win nothing..Anyway with people like you spouting on here, i will stick 2 fingers up to you when we get the franchise.