That is half decent attempt at putting together a level playing field for new clubs , but it is still completely subjective and open to abuse , which club do you use to set the level ?, which year do you do it ?, because the number of ex SL players changes all the time , and all the numbers are arbitray at best

Maybe HKR should have had 5 years extra quota and SC allowance to get them up to SL speed , but you haven't argued their case have you ?

No matter what formula you devise it will favour some clubs and discriminate against others , it isn't possible to balance it out

So saying " If the SC rules were re jigged " isnt suggesting a better way ?

So you are talking broken biscuits then ? , fair enough

Outstanding contribution to the debate from your good self once again , you should be so proud

Quite correct , it was in the NL's they overspent their salary cap , then again it was RFL money they were spending , so maybe that doesn't count

Would it be ok for Northampton to play to the same salary cap as everyone else, then have players travel/living expenses (up to a certain amount) excluded from their overall balance?

This could be for the first 3 seasons to help get them running, then get them on the same cap as everyone else.

In fact, sod that! (why did ever get sucked in?)

Let them start on the same playing field as everyone else. Northampton will be in the same boat as three other teams, so in effect thats 6 competitive games to start off with.

Plus Skolars, Gateshead and the Scorpions don't get players travel/living exemptions.


What has RLFANS done to me? I'm arguing with myself!

You

SWS,Crusaders, Gateshead,Skolers,Northampton plus 3 other new clubs,why is it even entering peoples minds to show favouritism to these clubs.

The C1 expansion clubs will get the same central funding, and be on the same salary cap, as everyone else. All clubs will get the same free travel for away games over a certain distance, but obviously the remote clubs will get travel paid every away match, when the traditional neighbour clubs might only get that for games in London, Northampton, South Wales, maybe Gateshead or Cumbria. Oldham will have to make their own way to Rochdale, but it won't cost to go to, say, Hemel. Employment law regarding overseas players minimum wage is the same for everyone.

The biggest challenge is finding a squad without being able to pay players to relocate. Swinton can always grab a player from St Pats or Miners and know they will be of a standard. The south has lots of talented players capable of playing at C1, but they are, mostly, in semi-pro union. There are local league players, students, servicemen, and juniors cing through, but it will take time and organisation. Hence a division of 4 new clubs, 2 welsh clubs, Skolars, thunder, plus 2 more, will be broadly competitive, as so many teams are in a similar position. The top amateur teams might beat them in the cup, but do we want a second pro club in Leigh, Warrington or Wigan. Give it time, and the expansion clubs will bring new talent and new money into the game.

If it's good enough for Starbore and SmokeyTA, it must be good enough for you; I'm sure at one point in the thread, the former made at least 5 consecutive posts in reply to himself. Bonkers!