If the RFL has any sense (doubtful, I know!) they will not allow a situation where it's basically top six in the Championship next season or die.

As things stand at the moment the third tier would comprise of: Sheffield, Widnes, Newcastle, Dewsbury, Oldham, Swinton, Barrow, Workington, Dons, N Wales, Keighley, Rochdale, Hunslet, Coventry, London Skolars and West Wales.

With a reasonable amount of central funding, watching the Dons play these teams would be much more appealing than the current League One set up. We might even be able to increase our fan base with more home games against better sides.

The powers that be have been trying to expand the game over recent years, potentially losing up to 16 professional clubs in one go with a restructure would be madness.

I'm sure a lot of people at a lot of clubs in League One have worked incredibly hard to survive over the last 2 years, a kick in the teeth from the RFL is not what they need or deserve.

I hope the top twenty clubs are able to look beyond their own immediate personal needs and consider what is best for the greater good of the game.

I can't see any money coming from central funding the RFL have loans of £32.7million to payback to the government

If the 16 clubs in the third tier got £75k each, the total cost to the RFL would only be £1.2 million (just 3.66% of the RFLs present debt). I'm sure the government can wait for their loan repayments especially when the RFL tell them what the impacts would be on local communities if clubs didn't survive.

The game really needs to get its act together to work for the greater good of all rugby.

Slightly O/T but pertinent IMO, Bruce Horn who is a regular poster over on the Dons Fans Facebook page has posted an article from the Free press in 2017 where Carl Hall talk about the Dons (and Rovers) 5 year plan and the ambition at the time for the club.


Bruce used to be a regular on here some years ago and was a Dons regular at the ground and at meetings and is a top bloke, but I have not seen him at the KM for a while. Can't remember his username on here Hoping that SO or Wanderer can remember.

Any how make of the Free Press article what you will.

Bruce used to post as Dragonfan.

Better not say what I think about the intervening years since that statement was made.

Thanks Gary, put it down to old age. I will be re-visiting this article at season close and with a little more I suspect.

Lots of clubs are gambling on a return to the Championship this season with Barrow ,Keighley and Rochdale spending big.
We signed a large squad as we had complaints about DR , for the first half of the season we were very competitive however losing players to injury , covid and players leaving has not helped by the looks of things.

Rumour has it Gary Thornton was sacked at Hunslet as the board and fans thought they should have been in the top two with the squad and money given to him.

It amazes me how people who don't contribute to the club financially in anyway try telling others how to spend their money.
Terry Bramall and his co directors have taken the club and put it on a safe financial footing.
It is the same people on here and at the Rovers calling them out because they have not thrown the kitchen sink into getting promotion.
Surely after the last 18 months its better to get your finances back in order, than go out on a spending spree where nothing is guaranteed.

Lets wait and see what happens come the end of the season because I'm sure that for some teams the death knell will toll.

I think the few fans who come on here are concerned with on the field performances of late & communication.

The Club Doncaster bashes are ex fans who have an axe to grind .

A few more views on restructuringhttps://www.newsandstar.co.uk/sport/19494916.whitehaven-rl-ceo-super-league-restructure-make-break-rugby-league/rl

Genuine question ... what group of people does this refer to?

Some people who comment have not seen the Dons in years yet still choose to throw in cheap snide comments when the team performs badly.

Look on the Dons supports facebook page to see how many people comment when we have a good win and how many moan when we lose.

I know we have not been great as of late but we are still in third place given our last few results.

I appreciate people have their own opinion, but it seems to be the same old story of bash the club because we fail to throw pots of money into a sport that generates crowds of what would be lucky to fill most Premier league stadiums over its three pro divisions combined.

https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/another- ... out-41979/

https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/another- ... out-41979/

If aimed at me - I have given money to the club this year when I have paid to stream matches - thus by your logic I am fully entitled to my opinion.

Even if I didnt give money to the club I am entitled to my opinion its called free speech we are lucky to have it and I choose to exercise my right to it.

https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/r ... on-5774805

https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/r ... on-5774805

https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/new-rugb ... ict-42000/

https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/new-rugb ... ict-42000/