I am bitter. I am not afraid to admit it. Not for reasons of jealousy of other teams or their successes, or being on the wrong hand of a pasting from a rival fan back in the late 80's. (Doc will know who I am refering to).

I am bitter against the system and the apparent fault with our bid which was used against us, yet other teams are reportedly allowed lee-way on. There is also an element of resentment their for the previous administrations who have allowed a rot to develop over time and now we are paying for it. I don't think we will be in it next time either, unless some team goes tits up, and only then as a last resort will we get in. That is a big IF.

Im a little bitter, I was amazed at the time they put it purely down to us being a new organisation and we had a to prove ourselves etc. 6 months down the line storys start emerging of Super League clubs in trouble, Saints themselves reporting a rather hefty loss for last season (wasnt this meant to be studied by a finance guru?). Initially the licensing was said to be judged on what was happening now and what will happen in the future for all clubs but they decided to look back pre O'connor and punish us for it even though IMO we had already served that with a 9 point deduction. In the end the decision makers didnt have the bottle to kick anyone out of super league even though a number of clubs are skating on very thin ice. Salford was seen as to much of a loss for the 'manchester' area to even consider leaving out and it was basically now or never for Celtic (in other words a gamble that the RFL have taken on rather than a safe bet with us)

We can only continue on as we are and make another big effort for 2012

Believe what you want but your either trying a poor attempt to wind me up or you really are arrogant and not very good at recent history,look were Widnes and Fax were 2 years ago both nearly going under,3 years is a long time.

Re the two Grand Finals,if Leigh have a great season in 3 years and win the Grand Final and league and Widnes and Fax don't even get to the Final,do you honestly think what happens this year will matter.

To say we are streets behind Widnes is daft to say we are streets behind Fax is ludicrous.

You thought you had an excellent chance of getting into SL earlier in the year and in reality like Leigh you had no chance, so how can you know whats going to happen in 3 years time is beyond me.

Anyway I know I'm wasting my time but I can't let your statement go unanswered,but this will be my last contribution on anything re what could or could not happen in 2012.

Twith I dont know if you realise it but the GF in 2011 will take place after the franchise announcements for 2012 , so will not count towards eligability. Only the GF's in 2009 and 2010 count along with the winners of the NRC in 2009,10,11 .
The vicar

Exactly some fans on the leigh board seem oblivious to this.

To be honest i don't give a flying fork any more,i didn't think we would get in the first place.I think i would rather be in this league fighting for a chance of winning something,instead of treading water in the Murdoch league without a cat in hells chance of winning anything. Any how no matter what happens in the bent world of rl,i still have my music and if the push came to shove i know which i would rather have.Old punks never die,we just stand at the back and drink.

Fair point, but I still think that winning anything this year will guarantee nothing,if our French friends win nothing bet they will still have as good a chance as any team to get a Franchise.

Well said comrade! When it comes to entertaining diversions I would also have music, a visit to The Brindley, a Saturday night visiting a few decent pubs or a Saturday afternoon watching amateur rugby league ahead of the joke professional sport has become in recent years.

Keep it spikey!

Honestly Twitch, I know my thoughts are annoying you by writing Leigh off, I admit I do so as my peril.

I look at Leigh's team though and on paper it's so inferior compared to ours and Halifax. I'd probably say Donlan Chris Hill, Jimmy Taylor and one or two others are the only players I fear will cause us problems. Am I right in saying they will operate as a part-time outfit too?

Off the field, Leigh may thrive, but to significantly increase attendances could prove difficult with a recession and limited appeal to the Championship for many after the promotion cut-off.

You must agree that Widnes are in the driving seat (well, let's keep our eyes on Toulouse) to be awarded a franchise come 2011 out of the current crop of Championship clubs.

And I do take your point about things changing quickly, I'm just convinced that our new chairman is genuine and in the Widnes fight for the long haul. I don't think he'll leave unless someone of even greater wealth and with positive intentions for the club.

I honestly have no problem with Widnes being promoted and freely admit your team is much stronger on paper than mine but I do thik that Leigh will be challenging very closely for a place in SL,because I believe not one of the new propsed Stadiums will be built by 2012 and both our clubs will be in a strong position to put a good bid together.

In reality I still don't think the RL hierarchy wants Leigh in and I'm not sure how many want Widnes but I'm equally sure at least one or two of the current SL teams will not be in a good position in 3 years time.

I think you will be surprised this season at several teams in our league and I'm not at all sure that either Widnes or Fax will walk away with the league or Grand Final,favourites yes but not overwhelming favourites in my opinion.

Heres to a great few years of good rugby and rivalry.