What both of us dont know is how much they want a second French club in SL? How much they want a North East club? Will they deal with those who have broken promises this time around? and Will it be transparent next time?

Leigh were done for youth and stadium, what a joke.
Widnes for lack of posted accounts.

We all know the process was a farce, lets see what happens next time out.

In Enemy Territority & richardviking: Thanks for the kind remarks. We are looking forward to our trip to Widnes. I will probably be waring a Scottish retro internatiional top, so if you see my wife and I, come over and say hello; it's always good to talk to other Leagueies. All the best.

I agree the next franchise opening i agree it should be us and leigh a few will drop out i think.

PS has anyone heard the rumour about ste mac having 8-10 games to see his results this year, heard a few in the north stand last week

I haven't heard that particular rumour, but I was told very recently by a local councillor that Widnes won't get in next time either because the RFL want teams from outside the M62 corridoor and because putting Widnes in next time will be an admission by the RFL that they were wrong last time.
He might be completely wrong on some of that, only time will tell.
My own view is neither Salford or Celtic will drop out. Salford won't because they could, if they do well, build a decent sized level of support even if the planned stadium doesn't come about. Celtic won't because, like Fulham/London, the RFL will give them all the support they can. After all the hype about it being "now or never for the game in Wales" (and we hear that every couple of decades) the RFL will look even more stupid if this latest venture fails.

That TIW forum is pathetic but not too bad on here. Although you do have some inflated opinion of yourselfs and your "right" to be in SL.

We're not too bad a spelling too.

Can't say I've seen anyone write any such thing about our so called 'god given' right to be in SL.

You have no idea what position Leigh will be at in 3 years time,your unlikely quote may just be wishful thinking by then

I was going to post something similar but since you said it so well, I'll just say ditto to all that! I've already visited Halton once this year and I'm hoping to get there again but as a neutral supporting Widnes. It's a fine stadium, a good team (I envy you your field kicker!) and besides all that, I want Widnes back in SL so I can abuse them from the terraces on a regular basis! (in the nicest possible way, obviously!)

Thanks for the kind words, it means a lot.

I have nothing against another French side and would have accepted Toulose getting a franchise, as they have been around for 60 years and have built a good enough to compete in things (Semi Final one year) like the challenge cup.They wouldn't have as much Aussie due to proximity to the RL hotbed.

I am no longer bitter and got of it a while ago the only thing and that is the antipodeans. Surely there is at least a few English SL players excited at what is going down in Wales and the obvious let offs the club will get.

Yes I do find the fans can be bitter and certain VT Widnes Fans, no offense but fingers mainly, are getting into arguments with the keyboard warrior that is cru.So the rest of VT prats are thinking all Widnes fans are as annoying as him.The they will get on the back of any proper Widnes fans when they make a proper and debatable thread about expansion or franchises.

Anyway that is my two cents

With the current financial crisis our omission from SL may prove to be a blessing in disguise - no huge wage bill etc.
A couple of the clubs have already asked for their sky money early and it will be interesting to see if the banks start pulling overdrafts etc We will see if Mr Lewis' claims about the solvency of SL clubs turns out to be true.

Excuse my ignorance but have the RL actually stated that the SL will be increased from 14 clubs to 16 in 2012?I am not too confident of us getting a place if they do go for 16 but if it remains at 14 then we have no chance because,as they have already demonstrated,the RL will not kick out any existing 'franchises'.

No such guarantee.. but they did say that one side from the Championship will be promoted!!