I'm not quite sure what that press statement proves to be honest...
There seems to be quite a lot of smoke hanging around Celtic so I would be surprised if there wasn't a fire..

Article in the League Express about the RFL becoming involved in financial problems at Celtic
Comments from BlakeJake saying that things aren't right.. (we all know he's Luke Dyer's brother so he's not kidding anyone.. he's probably worried that he's dropped his bro in it!!)
Supposed comments from players on Facebook that their cars have been taken off them (we've seen how naive players can be over what they should and shouldn't be posting so this can't be discounted)
Accusations from players from a number of clubs that they have been offered playing contracts for next year which have now been withdrawn
and now this article which offers nothing.. it carries about as much weight as John Wilkinson saying that there is more funding for the stadium but not offering any idea on what this is.. It just seems like posturing..

I don't think for a minute that Celtic are currently in administration but looking at things something doesn't smell right and it isn't my home town.. well it's not completely to blame..

This figure mentioned in the article of a £300k profit.. for a corporate profit that really isn't that brilliant.. not considering the amount of investment that will be needed next year on the playing side, and I realise that this doesn't account for Samuels' fortune but it has to be on his mind..

looking at everything that is blowing around at the moment I would guess that the club had planned on significantly higher (paying) crowds this year and are now struggling. I would guess that the club will now be seeking further investment and spending more money trying to build the crowd but if that fails then I wouldn't be surprised if the RFL call time on this little experiment and offer a place in SL to another team.

They are already facing egg on their face over the stadium fiascos at Wakefield, Castleford and Salford..

As a Cru fan where i'd be worried is Celtic are clearly being run at a loss (it's understandable as a new club trying to build up a fan base and get a youth system unning etc, so you'd expect Samuel to be making more money to keep them running!

Feel for Cru under Samuel - the guy is a complete slime, he threatned to leave if no SL franchise and also doesn't seem to have give them the backing to get a real boost in the region, marketig marque signing etc.

I can't believe the RFL wanted a guy like this involved in the Sport (threatening to walk) and he seems in for his own profit alone, selling ground etc!

Yea I picked up on that, real intersting one and IMO proof they where guranteed SL without a shadow of a doubt!

wow the rlfans example of 'proof'. samuels was approached by people involved in welsh rugby league.

I'd say so it's near enough, not having a go, but makes sense that RFL would go to him and say 'how about setting up RL side over the old Union set up, put the money in and your in SL!'

Makes sense to me!

thing is it wouldnt bother me if they did do that. the rfl should be pro-actively looking for people to get involved, from the grassroots to potential owners. i was being more specific in saying that he was not approached by the rfl but by two people involved in setting up the welsh conference, one is the current chair of thr wrl afaik.

And where is your "proof" of that then?

He was approached by Chris O'Callaghan of Aberavon Fighting Irish and Mike Nicholas, the President of the Welsh Rugby League.

Fair do's then , that clears that up

You know what us conspiracy theorists are like

It would bother me if it was true.

It makes a mockery of the whole franchising system.

My main issue always ahs been that Celitc should of been brought in like the Catalans where, then we'd be saved all the RL Bull $hi^! Making league fans look like idiots, also it would of give Cru a better chance to be preapred for SL!

well i happen to think the rfl are trying to create a structure for the future whether its the best structure is always up for argument. Personally i have no real problem with their sincerity although i agree somethings might have been done better. I certainly think a years notice wouldnt have been a bad idea. i.e licenses announced for 2010 rather then 2009, making preparations and recruitment easier. A whole year of 'superleague is coming' I would have been happy to have spent another year in the championship, great clubs abd great fans.

well when i said approach i meant in terms of saying look we are going to have a new system and its likely the comp will expand and if you reach a minimum standard you would have a good chance but no gurantees rather then saying you are definitely in. Giving potential new investors decent notice of these things is common sense in my view.

it just happens to be true. my mocking of the rlfans concept of 'proof' i.e. a vague statement chucked in a press release didnt mean i had a signed affadavit in mike nicholas' blood.