....Should we be worried come july time next year?

I don't see anything to worry about at all.

Rovers' application if anything will be stronger than the last one.

Not really. The following have more to worry about:

Castleford
Wakefield
Quins
Salford
Crusaders

Its all relative, and I can only see a max of 1 club being dumped.

I wonder if they'll bin 2 this time around and bring in the other French team?

There's no way they will get rid of crusaders (who seem to be pretty successful since they moved North) or quins so you can forget that. Salford will be moving into a shiny new stadium and are in the county's 2nd city so will be safe, which leaves wakey and cas on your list. I believe one at least will go. If either can make any real progress on their stadium then the other will probably be gone.

If tehre is another team to go then it will be chosen from the others and you have to look at each on it's merits.

I don't see rovers as being in danger now but could potentially by the time the licence apps go in next year .

The following are completely safe IMO

Hull
leeds
saints
bradford
hudds
quins
crusaders
wire
wigan
salford (if they are making the progress tehy appeear to be with their stadium)
cats

rovers will be OK if there is only 1 team replaced, not so sure if it is 2 teams

I would be shocked if KR went due to the progression made on the playing field, and your decent following.

The only slight worry is your stadium and the old chestnut 2 SL teams in one city , and if it is 1 or 2 teams which go down.

I agree. However, Quins and Crusaders can play the expansion card. Wakefield, Cas and Salford each have plans in place for a new, modern stadium. If all 3 got built, and it is a huge if, then we'd definately be pulled into the endangered list. Relying on others to fail, even when there is a good chance that at least one will, isn't a comfortable position to be in.
We've got other things in the plus column - crowds are decent and the team has been fair to middling. But if other clubs get those new stadiums, then it could well increase their gates and a couple of bad years on the pitch could leave us close to the edge in 2014. The weakest link will already have been replaced by then, likely by Widnes, further erroding our cushion.
That is what franchisizing is all about - the pressure is on our club, and others, to improve. Hopefully the board, the fans and other stakeholders can achieve that.

Capacity of 12,000 + 1 (hopefully)
Premier competition standard ground 0
Average crowd of 10,000 + 0
Operating at 40 per cent full 1
Turn over £4million + 1
Solvent 1
Contribution to competition 1 (if we finish top 8 this year IIRC)
Junior development 1 (at least eight members of a first-team squad of 25 should be discovered, trained and developed in this country IIRC)
No salary cap breaches 1
No club within 20 miles 0
GRAND TOTAL 7 (at best)
LICENSING GRADE B

Even if we miss out on the capacity and junior development points, 5 is still enough for a B licence. I'd like to think the work we've done at junior level would win a point though. As long as the RFL don't move the goalposts, I think we should be fine.

What has always been a worry to me is their decision to announce at least one club will be replaced. If they are judging clubs strictly on the above criteria, how can they possibly know there'll be a better club outside SL [ibefore[/i the applications are submitted?

I think you are ahead of a few clubs as people have said. What's happnening with the stadium?

I doubt it'll be a straight forward tick-list like that. I don't think it even should be. From a transparency POV and to allow clubs to plan ahead, detailed criteria should be made available, to clubs at least, if not the general public, well in advance of applications. Last I heard, the RFL were still considering it and applications are due in just a few months.

Not sure about the Turnover point but I think the contribution to the competition is an average placing of 8 or higher so were nailed on for that.

I think we're a 5 (maybe 6) and a B this time and since you can only move up or down 1 grade at a time that would mean at worst we should get a C license the time after.

The aim should be to build the support to over 10,000 average and have the new North stand in place for the time after if so we should be a strong 7/8.

Those are the criteria for this round of licensing. That is what the RFL stated when licensing was introduced, they were to be used this time round.

The licenses awarded last time were based on (in theory) similar criteria but it was not the transparent process it is supposed to be now.

I agree, and I'm certain it is like that, hence my comments about youth development. Fact is, however, those points will either be awarded or they won't and I'm not saying we're guaranteed a 'B' because I think we tick those boxes, I'm just putting my opinion in regarding the criteria the RFL have said they will use.

Still concerned about the decision to 'definitely promote a championship club' before applications are submitted though.

Extension of the east stand is imminent which should take the capacity to 12k and hopefully help us towards that magical 10k average.

The north stand is a major development and the planning/funding is ongoing. I'm lead to believe the majority of funding has been found for it, but there is still work to do. It'd be very nice if we're there or thereabouts with the north stand by the time the 2014 applications are made.

I'd say you are more likely looking at 5 points but You'll be fine for a new franchise.
I'd say it's wakey cas and salford who should be the ones panicking.

I think one team will get relegated and I think that the RFL have to do that to show that the process is more than smoke and mirrors.