Out of interest what are the league rules on promotion? Looks like Wigan Bulldogs were the only team promoted that weren't champions of their division and noone was promoted from division 3

Ulverston also went up to the Premier after finishing 2nd. I know they won the grand final but it was said at the start of the season that the play off were an added extra. Most people are/were under the impression it's 2 up 2 down. I understand that West Bank are too good to start from division 5 but its not right that we should be punished. We play all our games whereas other teams seem to pick and choose and they are no worse thought of.

The problem here is that last years Div 3 was such a false division. It was created as an A Team Division and so first team sides that might have been in or around a standard Div 3 level were pushed upwards or downwards. Suddenly however were treating Div 3 like it was a normal division...

Div3 had lots of cancelled games but at the start of last season I'm sure none of the teams that ended up struggling could foresee what was going to happen and in truth if they would have been able to get their regular sides out they would have been about the right level and the league would have been close. All if's and but's now but Div 3 looks to have a more balanced look about it and there doesn't seem to be many teams looking out of place, especially Div 4 so I think the structure about right. I suppose the best way for any team to justify a higher league placing is to earn it by promotion.

What do you consider earning promotion?

By finishing in a league position that merits it, my comment wasn't a sleight on Hindpool btw. My own view is that promotion should be the top 2 in every division with the play offs being a separate comp. The exception being the play-off winners in the prem who should be crowned champs per SL.

I didn't think it was MG I was just interested to see what your thoughts were and I totally agree with you. In fact everyone I spoke to holds the same view.
I heard that Folly Lane asked not to be promoted so in that case why couldn't West Bank take their place in the premier division. Not sure why a team would play all season to win their league then not want to step up

I think WB are returning at the level they left at so I think that's probably right. Each division is 10 teams so maybe the league wanted it that way rather than have 2 divisions with odd numbers & one teams from each not playing each week. The email says the structure is proposed so isn't yet fixed, if you haven't already done so maybe Hindpool can appeal?

Good to see the likes of Cadishead, Newton, Leyland & Eccleston return. It'll be interesting to see how Garswood Stags get on as well, they've set up about a mile from us. Didn't know anything about them until the leagues were sent out.

I have already appealed it just gotta wait till the new year to see what comes of it.

It should really be defined and stuck to the relegation/promotion 2 up 2 down then everyone knows where they stand. I think the league is still trying to find it's natural order since moving to summer hence allowing team in some circumstances move up or down.

I think there will be to many free weeks with only 10 teams but my understanding is that this could change to 12 following the management meeting last night.

The final structures along with fixtures should be out by next Friday so we shall soon know!!

Seems an easy way to get West Bank in premier and Hindpool in division 1 whilst not having to punish anyone else to do it? Plus wonder if the all but collapse of the winter league has seen some late applications?

New proposal is 4 leagues of 12 and an entry league which currently has 15 teams listed