Doubt they will be Fulltime. A couple of the players maybe but not the entire first team. And I doubt that having a Full Time team will achieve anything and would be honestly a waste of money.

Spot on!!!

Look at Blackpool FC this year. Whoi would deny them the seaon that they've had. I'll tell you who - a small cabal of greedy clubs looking to hive off a league for themselves under some misguided notion that the policy is best for youth development, financial security (Wakey/Crusaders ) and a chance to catch the aussies.

Bunch of spivs.

Spot on!!!

Look at Blackpool FC this year. Who would deny them the season that they've had. I'll tell you who - a small cabal of greedy clubs looking to hive off a league for themselves under some misguided notion that the policy is best for youth development, financial security (Wakey/Crusaders ) and a chance to catch the aussies.

Bunch of spivs.

They may want to stay full-time but they will have a different quota to SL I think, so will have to drop somebody along the way.

But we're where we are!!... and we've known where we are for about four years now. Some clubs have acted accordingly.. others have carried on regardless.
Widnes had to achieve on the pitch and bigger fool you for not stopping them when you had the opportunity. Fax would surely be in the driving seat now if they had.
We could argue that we have been hamstrung by a ridiculously low salary cap.

Not sure where you are coming from really. Fax meet all the criteria set by the RFL apart from one. That one will be waived by the RFL for Champ clubs for obvious reasons which is why some people are feeling quietly confident about our bid. The fact that we have been the best team in the Championship over the last 3 years will strengthen that bid. Everyone know Widnes should have gone in last time but it didnt happen. To most people who follow any sort of sport, Widnes going in this time will be a bit of a joke. Some could also argue that Widnes arnt really a safe bet because when their money man pulls out they will be up the creek, where as Halifax are not reliant on one persons money and may be a more sound investment for SL.

Goes to show exactly what you know about our club. So far SOC has ploughed a significant amount of money into the club. That money has gone to three main areas.
1) To pay off a number of debts to creditors that were left high and dry by the Vaughn regime
2) A large amount (£1.4 m) on redevelopments to the Stobart Stadium
3) Funding for three youth teams
The funding for the first team squad and the rental on the stadium is now pretty much covered by revenue.
1) Crowds of 2.5 - 3 thousand
2) lottery sales, golden gamble etc
3) Sponsorship deals (new business networking partnership) has exceeded expectations
4) A 'boom' in the amount of merchandise now being spent in the clubs shops
5) VIQI donations

If SOC walked away tomorrow the club would be self-sufficient in this division based on obtaining similar average attendances. I have this from a very good authority who has been close to the books. All this talk of one man's money is so far wide of the mark it is unbelievable. He has put us in an excellent position with significant outlay and is set to spend more money developing a purpose built training base for the clubs teams.
There is also zero risk of him walking away, especially if we get into SL.
I'd also be interested in hearing which criteria point was waved?? I haven't heard or read anything to suggest that this has been the case.

As for us going up being a joke.. like I said..

cant announce they will be full time via their scoreboard. bet was sold before taken over. http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague ... ml&BID=480

cant announce they will be full time via their scoreboard. bet was sold before taken over. http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague ... ml&BID=480

If Ben Black hadn't dropped the ball Widnes really would be up shiit creek and Fax would most certainly be the only real option to come up from this league.

Haighy - you must have missed the multitude of RFL rule changes to the franchise system since 2008. The criteria would have been changed to suit Widnes. O'Connor is their man.

Feisel will be ours in 2015