Quote: Barnacle Bill "I'm certain that the 10 point criteria was to be applied to bids this time around (2012) and was not in fact used as such in 2009 although clubs were assessed in four broad areas of their respective businesses and covering similar areas in general. What bothers me is that there have been recent references to revised/different criteria for 2012 which seems a bit late in the day now since presumably clubs will have been aiming to rack up as many points as possible under the previously published requirements and yes, this is the RFL so nothing can be taken for granted. www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague ... 44046.html The 19 applicants will be expected to meet minimum standards in four basic areas - facilities, finance and business, commercial/marketing/community and playing strength - and awarded marks out of 10. Clubs with at least five points out of 10 will be awarded category A or B status and guaranteed a place in Super League, with category C clubs at risk of losing out in 2009. "The RFL will now carry out an exhaustive assessment of each application using the criteria and methods agreed by the clubs during an extensive consultation period," said Findlay. "This process will include visits to each club to review their stadium and other facilities. "There is a finite number of places available. It's likely that those clubs which have A or B licences will be given a position and the remaining positions will be allocated to category C clubs. Certainly in future years, clubs will be seeking to move themselves out of category C to make their position more secure."

Quote: Barnacle Bill "I'm certain that the 10 point criteria was to be applied to bids this time around (2012) and was not in fact used as such in 2009 although clubs were assessed in four broad areas of their respective businesses and covering similar areas in general. What bothers me is that there have been recent references to revised/different criteria for 2012 which seems a bit late in the day now since presumably clubs will have been aiming to rack up as many points as possible under the previously published requirements and yes, this is the RFL so nothing can be taken for granted. www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague ... 44046.html The 19 applicants will be expected to meet minimum standards in four basic areas - facilities, finance and business, commercial/marketing/community and playing strength - and awarded marks out of 10. Clubs with at least five points out of 10 will be awarded category A or B status and guaranteed a place in Super League, with category C clubs at risk of losing out in 2009. "The RFL will now carry out an exhaustive assessment of each application using the criteria and methods agreed by the clubs during an extensive consultation period," said Findlay. "This process will include visits to each club to review their stadium and other facilities. "There is a finite number of places available. It's likely that those clubs which have A or B licences will be given a position and the remaining positions will be allocated to category C clubs. Certainly in future years, clubs will be seeking to move themselves out of category C to make their position more secure."

You'd have to ask the RFL.

i didnt need to, they told me, they put out quite a few press releases explaining, there has been one helpfully posted for you above.

What i am asking, is why you think, even though they have told you they are commissioning a qualitative report, even though their decision contained subjective judgements, even though they have explained the points system would be used to group the clubs and that the decision would be made by the RFL board, you still insist that it is a box ticking excercise?

In a nutshell.

the 10 point criteria fell within those 4 basic areas, even Angela Powers knew that.

Well with Harlequins posting a £1.9 million loss again this year If they survive I dont think we have a problem.

She was wrong, as was pointed out ad nauseum by many posters on the VT at the time.

The same Angela Powers that gave Salford an unmerited "contribution to the competition" point because (and I quote) "[ithey have been entertaining[/i".

Yep, she had her finger on the button. She graded Leigh as a Cat B

There will be back, trolls like Zod when Rovers start winning again.

Fair play to the few fans that still come on here, it's easy to support a winning team and brag about it but then hide when the going gets tough.

If Rovers beat Hull, I already look forward to the return of the missing one including the "know it all, but am always wrong" special one.

I don't really see a direct link with posting activity & the size of the East Hull bandwagon. It was busier (and better) on here during our NL days. Used to love the banter with Dixonsbabe from Whitehaven (amongst others).

Maybe it went quiet 'cos we didn't have a game for 16 days? Just a thought.......

Tom Briscoe's playing for England this week, so he can make 150 posts in 48 hours slating a 19 year old again. Will be tough for him to compare and contrast with Fox this time round though.