Agree completly - Derek's heart is in the right place, but as a politician he should know better. SoC realised that he had to work with the RFL and not against them and that obviously stuck in his craw a bit, but he's done the right thing by publicly courting them. That is the way to get a licence, not having a public pop at them.

If they did ask us to replace them next year they would have to sell it as a merger (Are we the closest club to them?) so we got access to their playing staff. And we'd still get slaughtered most weeks. And we'd then screw up the next licencing round. The whole thing is a bit of a mess!

Yes. Derek seems like a good guy for a politician and he is trying to put widnes first but our rivals are going our work for us. Meddling will make things only more difficult at this point.

Publically courting the RFL as someone stated on here might be seen by some as brown nosing or toadying to a bully, whilst others stand up to be counted and risk getting a good hiding.

I don't blame Widnes for taking this stance of not wanting to say or do anything that upsets Lewis and his cronies but I'm losing my respect for your club.I know the ends may justify the means but I like what your MP did and I would be proud of him if he was my own MP, sometimes you have to question things which you know are wrong,otherwise nothing gets fixed.

In todays completely mad politicaly correct world or should I say country that we live in, the silent majority is becoming bigger and bigger,one day soon they will regain there voices and say enough is enough,lets hope the RL community wake up one day as well,SL is not the be all and end all.

I think good on twiggy.Stand up to these rfl s.Sport should be done fairly.To make fair bring back promotion and relegation every season.We are no closer to the aussies and 20 yrs ago we where better with no super dooper league.Too many aussies at teams like celtic,french teams etc.

Until super dooper league clubs stand up to them nothing will change

Hull KR chief has major fears. www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sp ... -mess.html

Hull KR chief has major fears. www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sp ... -mess.html

Bang on.

Further comments from Derek Twigg on the Widnes board.


[iI have read with great interest the excellent discussion on the messageboard regarding the Celtic Crusaders issue.

As reported in this weeks Weekly News I did question Richard Lewis about Crusaders at the All Party Rugby League Group meeting in Westminister and expressed my dismay at what was happening. I also had a telephone conversation with him.

He did confirm that the RFL wanted to see a Super League club based at Wrexham and there would also be a Championship and Academy side based in South Wales. There is no doubt in my mind that the Wrexham deal will happen, although to be accurate, on Tuesday Richard did say there had been no agreement at that time.

When I questioned him on Crusaders financial plight his defence was that Widnes had plenty of financial problems themselves in the past. I said, that was before Steve O Connor and reminded him that the only Super League licence bid that included a financial bond was that submitted by Widnes. Also, Widnes did not get any help from the RFL.

Given, that I understand there are other Super League clubs also in financial difficulty, what judgement did the RFL show in turning down the bond backed Widnes bid? We should also not forget how the RFL dealt with the London Bronchos financial difficulties.

While I have received a lot of support for my public comments in the past 24 hours I did see that a couple of posts on this messegeboard did question whether it was the right thing to do. All I can say in response is that it is a matter of judgement. But do not forget like you I am also a supporter and I am appalled at what the RFL are trying to do, I do not believe it should be left unchallenged. Regardless of whether Widnes should be in the Super League or not, what is happening is plain wrong.

I do believe that the other Super League clubs could stop the RFL's plans if they wanted?


Derek Twigg MP[/i

He's hit the nail right on the head there.

We need get everything in writing and any scandal we should take to the courts.Best thing would be for lewis to go.

rlThe absolute height of ignorancerl

(You need an account)

Sod off lewis

I can see us dragging the RFL through the courts eventually - it has everything to do with SKY pulling the strings.