Take no away support to the Shay in future, hindering their hopes of achieving a 2,500 average.

Or alternatively go dressed as work men in that side stand. Without paying of course.

But stadia and crowds aren't the only factors in the decision process. Our youth set up for example is far better than theirs. Our club is streets ahead of any other in the Championship and we should simply concentrate on improving those areas which the RFL highlighted and continuing to build on those areas where we have already got success.

We have a better bid than Halifax does that we don't need to resort to cheap shots like that.

Halifax will need to massively improve their home support to be taken seriously. They are in an area that has more Super League teams than around us even.

We need to concentrate on beating them in the league next year. Their best bet for an application will be if they win the league two years in a row and we're only finishing mid-table.

Oh, come on mate! This is Rugby League we're talking about. How dare you try to involve on-field performance? The RFL would be far more interested in how many types of aftershave you offer in the Gents and whether the Ladies supplies hairdryers.

LOL sad but true, i would like to think deep down at the rfl common sense plays some part. if we win the grand final this year and next year, finish the stand and have a u20's team surely that qualifies us above everytthing else?

Not really, sadly..

Because the stadium still isn't as good as ours.
Neither is Halifax's youth development.
Nor is the fanbase.

And off the record, there are plenty of clubs already in Yorkshire.

Despite your excellent credentials, I really can't see either Widnes OR Halifax being granted a franchise in 2012. Super League authorities don't want any more clubs from withing the M62 corridor, only 'expansion' clubs that will make the game look falsely bigger and glossier.
I'm afraid that Toulouse and Gateshead will be the only clubs that enter SL in 2012, mark my words. There are also rumours circulating of a club being set up in Cornwall for 2010 and if this comes to fruition, they'll be in there too like a shot.
Even if Widnes meet every franchise criteria possible, the goal-posts will be moved. Rugby League is now administered by some corrupt people with a definite agenda, and they've not been afraid to alter legislation to suit themselves in the past have they?!
Your club had an excellent application package last season, and still got turned down in favour of two clubs who both play in ramshackle stadiums. One club has a fan base on a simlar par with yourselves, and the other has no fan base (and no financial security) at all!
The only reason Salford got in last season was down to their big-city location (I'm waiting for a re-naming - Manchester Reds maybe?), and I don't even need to comment on Celtic do I?
My thoughts on this are in no way a jibe at Widnes, or anyone club from Lancs/Yorks which chooses to apply for 2012, but we need to be realistic.

Technically the fact ours aren't are good shouldn't matter, a ticked box is a ticked box if you get me (even though you're right on the above 3 points)

The problem with the whole system is just that though. Take away the clubs that score like 10-11 out of 12 and get an A license (5 clubs) by 2011 the other clubs in SL at the mo and You, Fax, Leigh, Toulose, Barrow, Gateshead (?) could all post the same score so it's always going to be down to who the RFL 'WANT'.

If Widnes dont get in it would be an absolute farce (like it's not anyway) and the thought of Halifax getting a place doesn't enter my mind, 'cause i just can't see it tbh.

The whole thing has been a joke and Widnes should be in SL now. Widnes deserve to be in SL in 2012. Fax still have much to do. But I cant see much difference between Fax and Wakey,Celtic and Salford. Its just a matter of opinion which is wrong. It simply should be P & R and you need certain criteria to be promoted. And the same is if teams are not moving forwards then they are sent down for failing to do what they promised.
Really the Championship should have started earlier with the Grand Final being in early September so that a team had more time to sign the better SL players off contract-But the RFL have never cared about the game as a whole rather they have a plan and will just frame things to fit there vision-no matter what damage is caused.
Widnes were once again let down by the RFL and hope for them its not third time unlucky