They had a computer generated image of an 'iconic' state of the art 20,000 all-seater stadium and stated that the funding is in place for this and that it would definitely be built by the start of the 2010 season.

Within a week of the franchise anouncements Red City Developments goes into Administration. Then we get a down grading of the 'iconic' stadium. Then we hear they haven't actually got the funding available.

Now we hear it's now totally dependent on the LSC, which has already promised over £5 billion pounds worth of funding in various areas that it doesn't actually have, in order to finance it.

John Wilkinson has now admitted in a public meeting, despite earlier denials, that 'there is no plan B'

David Tarry is still saying that the stadium will be built as promised even if they do not get the LSC funding.

So yes, they're liars.


Like other Widnes fans have already suggested, I'm not that bothered about getting into SL until the next round, so I'm not too bothered about other clubs' problems with stadia building before that date.

However, it just goes to show what a total sham the whole licence 'criteria' was, and casts doubt on the RFL's ability to scrutinise it in a competent and fair manner.

The only saving grace from this debacle is that the folk of widnes (and anywhere else, should they be visiting this fair town on day in question) are spared the sight of my hoop in Burtons window.

I said then and I'll still say that no new stadiums will be built - perhaps not for the next 10 years.

It'll be like a scene out of the exorcist

Seriously though, with the set up you have and your following and the solid backing you have from SOC it's a certainty you'll get in next time. If not, prospective clubs who build up a solid bid through hard work and honesty and who are based around the M62 corridor might as well shelve any future plans of getting in. Hull KR's experience should also be held up as a beacon of how it's possible to get back off the canvas and compete in SL. The RFL must see sense in 2012 and beyond.

As said above by Pepe, all grounds bar Saints were PROMISED by 2010 now not 1 single ground will be ready for the start of that season so yeh lies!

Also they ALL said funding secured no worries etc - Clearly not the case for ANY of them!

Saints is the only one that might be ready for 2012 , probably the only one started by 2012

You might as well add Bradford as there is little chance they are going to find 70 Million despite the Council etc helping them.

I remember the day of the licence decision, Wilkinson was giving an interview and he basically admitted that one of the biggest tasks was convincing the RFL that the plans were all going ahead and that building would begin soon etc. As soon as he said that it was obvious he was just buying time and the 'plans' were all bull. If the plans were that advanced, surely he wouldn't have needed to try that hard to convince the RFL, the evidence would have spoken for themselves.

I agree - it's the old cliche but let's worry about ourselves rather than worrying about the rest. Let them worry about us instead - that was clear the last round with the amount of digs that were made by all n' sundry about our bid. We get this trophy in the bag and we can then focus some attention on to getting some of the 16 year old kids onto the production line and developing the 18 and 19 year olds we have at the club. Let's also hope that the next time they do the round robins the RFL actually visit the media centre this time which they would have been blown away by. (And I ain't joking on the last point either).

Clubs can try and use the recession as an excuse but at the end of the day the recession has hit us all. Surely any business and I mean franchisee should be judged on how it has reacted and managed the impact of the recession on their club and community. I wouldn't be surprised if SOC played it all with a straight bat in the next round of franchise applications in publicly backing the RFL's integrity to make the 'right decisions based on the applications'. He did that last time and wasn't even naive in doing so.

I've just read that thread and do feel for the Salford fans a bit. But only a bit. But I think their frustration just goes to show how much of a farce this whole thing really is. The fact that clubs were made to sign a 'no objection' clause in itself was were it all started to go sour.

I'm a firm believer in Karma from now on. I can see TC up there now in his grey suit and Widnes tie having a word with God and putting him straight. Fingers crossed we get in on our own accord but if it's by default then I will take that.

On radio Manchester yesterday Jack Dearden said they had twice invited Salford to comment about the stadium on their show,last Friday and Sunday, but so far had heard nothing.Make of that what you will.