This chopping and changing of the format/entry criteria has done nothing for the game. If we want a traditional format with promotion and relelgation then there's only one way to do it successfully imo.(10 FT teams per division(1&2)) If we don't want P/R then it has to be on franchising with 16+ teams(NRL Style) We need at least 2 divisions of full time sides for promotion/relegation to work consistently.

This chopping and changing of the format/entry criteria has done nothing for the game. If we want a traditional format with promotion and relelgation then there's only one way to do it successfully imo.(10 FT teams per division(1&2)) If we don't want P/R then it has to be on franchising with 16+ teams(NRL Style) We need at least 2 divisions of full time sides for promotion/relegation to work consistently.

Quote ="Bulls4Champs"This chopping and changing of the format/entry criteria has done nothing for the game. If we want a traditional format with promotion and relelgation then there's only one way to do it successfully imo.(10 FT teams per division(1&2)) If we don't want P/R then it has to be on franchising with 16+ teams(NRL Style) We need at least 2 divisions of full time sides for promotion/relegation to work consistently.'" /> To be honest, I suspect that licensing, in some format or other, is what the SL clubs are really chasing, Along with having a bigger share of, whatever everyone seems to agree will be a smaller pot, in the next TV deal. As you say, two divisions of full time sides are really necessary to have a workable P&R system Personally I don't think 12 clubs is sufficient to run a 'proper' league anyway, not even with the 'loop' games and even then without the play-offs it becomes a pretty season bare, imo. in fact, as soon as you introduce 'loop' fixtures it ceases to be a proper league anyway, imo. Whether they believe there are lots of overseas clubs busting a gut to enter SL or there are lots of big investors hiding in the bushes ready to jump into existing British clubs when the new deal is announced is anoyone's guess. All in all, it doesn't seem very well reasearched.

Quote ="Bulls4Champs"This chopping and changing of the format/entry criteria has done nothing for the game. If we want a traditional format with promotion and relelgation then there's only one way to do it successfully imo.(10 FT teams per division(1&2)) If we don't want P/R then it has to be on franchising with 16+ teams(NRL Style) We need at least 2 divisions of full time sides for promotion/relegation to work consistently.'" /> To be honest, I suspect that licensing, in some format or other, is what the SL clubs are really chasing, Along with having a bigger share of, whatever everyone seems to agree will be a smaller pot, in the next TV deal. As you say, two divisions of full time sides are really necessary to have a workable P&R system Personally I don't think 12 clubs is sufficient to run a 'proper' league anyway, not even with the 'loop' games and even then without the play-offs it becomes a pretty season bare, imo. in fact, as soon as you introduce 'loop' fixtures it ceases to be a proper league anyway, imo. Whether they believe there are lots of overseas clubs busting a gut to enter SL or there are lots of big investors hiding in the bushes ready to jump into existing British clubs when the new deal is announced is anoyone's guess. All in all, it doesn't seem very well reasearched.

So the vote is underway. Secret ballot, so to me that means its going to pass the way the SL clubs want it as the clubs that have been bullied/warned/threatened can vote as their masters wish in private and not have to own up to it publically. /> We could be promoted within the hour....but I'm unhappy about it...very odd, bloody rugby league.

So the vote is underway. Secret ballot, so to me that means its going to pass the way the SL clubs want it as the clubs that have been bullied/warned/threatened can vote as their masters wish in private and not have to own up to it publically. /> We could be promoted within the hour....but I'm unhappy about it...very odd, bloody rugby league.

Quote ="Bulliac"To be honest, I suspect that licensing, in some format or other, is what the SL clubs are really chasing, Along with having a bigger share of, whatever everyone seems to agree will be a smaller pot, in the next TV deal. As you say, two divisions of full time sides are really necessary to have a workable P&R system Personally I don't think 12 clubs is sufficient to run a 'proper' league anyway, not even with the 'loop' games and even then without the play-offs it becomes a pretty season bare, imo. in fact, as soon as you introduce 'loop' fixtures it ceases to be a proper league anyway, imo. Whether they believe there are lots of overseas clubs busting a gut to enter SL or there are lots of big investors hiding in the bushes ready to jump into existing British clubs when the new deal is announced is anoyone's guess. All in all, it doesn't seem very well Do">reasearched.'" Do you class the NRL as a proper season then because in Australia not all teams play each other home and away.

Quote ="Bulliac"To be honest, I suspect that licensing, in some format or other, is what the SL clubs are really chasing, Along with having a bigger share of, whatever everyone seems to agree will be a smaller pot, in the next TV deal. As you say, two divisions of full time sides are really necessary to have a workable P&R system Personally I don't think 12 clubs is sufficient to run a 'proper' league anyway, not even with the 'loop' games and even then without the play-offs it becomes a pretty season bare, imo. in fact, as soon as you introduce 'loop' fixtures it ceases to be a proper league anyway, imo. Whether they believe there are lots of overseas clubs busting a gut to enter SL or there are lots of big investors hiding in the bushes ready to jump into existing British clubs when the new deal is announced is anoyone's guess. All in all, it doesn't seem very well Do">reasearched.'" Do you class the NRL as a proper season then because in Australia not all teams play each other home and away.

Changes voted through. Have to see if we are now promoted along with it.

'Bloody RFL's pets! You watch, they'll get promoted form second place!! Don't deserve it....and my grans gardner who once walked past Odsal says he know's a man on the inside of the ground who heard from the man next to him in the toilet that they are breaking the salary cap, not paying employees and forcing sudanese children to cut the pitch with rusty nail scissors... as usual... one rule for them.....'



What a deeply disappointing decision...

That's a very puerile response. Its not the clubs fault that the league structure may change. If it does and it benefits some clubs then that's what happens. I think you should be venting your disgust towards the RFL and the SL clubs

Quote ="redeverready"Do you class the NRL as a proper season then because in Australia not all teams play each other home and away.'" /> To be right the NFL works very well, but it's their traditional system, not ours. The general British league system, in most major sports, is home and away when possible and top is champion. RL has deviated from that many times in the past but invariably due to the numbers not adding up. I'm certainly under no illusion that some sort of similar league will apply, in one league or another, any new set-up for exactly the same reason - the numbers don't stack up.

Quote ="redeverready"Do you class the NRL as a proper season then because in Australia not all teams play each other home and away.'" /> To be right the NFL works very well, but it's their traditional system, not ours. The general British league system, in most major sports, is home and away when possible and top is champion. RL has deviated from that many times in the past but invariably due to the numbers not adding up. I'm certainly under no illusion that some sort of similar league will apply, in one league or another, any new set-up for exactly the same reason - the numbers don't stack up.

As I suggested earlier in the piece: Quote ="Bulliac"Of course, we can all visualise the situation where some decision is arrived at on Friday but then, for "fairness and not wishing to ruin the season endings in the different leagues" they then decide not to announce anything until all the play-offs are completed. /> ..And then, it all dribbles out on twitter or 'leaks ' from clubs, over the following week or so. Oh, and of course, at least half a dozen on here will know the full decision but be uabable to pass on the details as their mate could be compromised....'"

As I suggested earlier in the piece: Quote ="Bulliac"Of course, we can all visualise the situation where some decision is arrived at on Friday but then, for "fairness and not wishing to ruin the season endings in the different leagues" they then decide not to announce anything until all the play-offs are completed. /> ..And then, it all dribbles out on twitter or 'leaks ' from clubs, over the following week or so. Oh, and of course, at least half a dozen on here will know the full decision but be uabable to pass on the details as their mate could be compromised....'"

Faxlore says above .... "[iI think you should be venting your disgust towards the RFL and the SL clubs[/i"



Two points:



a) If the Bulls were in SLE then Chalmers would have also acted with self interest.



b) In any case Faxlore is very right to say that he thinks we should be venting our disgust towards the RFL. They have for years, and still are, ruining the sport. Today's vote is another step towards bringing the three main people to account who have (it is commonly believed) been, and still are, bad for the sport, namely Wood, Rimmer and Moorhouse. Let's hope that they are gone as soon as possible. We need a fit and proper governing body that is subject to fair and proper independent audit. Until that happens the sport will remain in the doldrums and not attract the investment and TV deals etc it deserves.

So what's the structure beyond SL next season? And further more, what's the structure for the remainder of this season?

Quote ="belcki"Faxlore says above .... "[iI think you should be venting your disgust towards the RFL and the SL clubs[/i" Two points: [i[ua) If the Bulls were in SLE then Chalmers would have also acted with self interest. [/u[/i b) In any case Faxlore is very right to say that he thinks we should be venting our disgust towards the RFL. They have for years, and still are, ruining the sport. Today's vote is another step towards bringing the three main people to account who have (it is commonly believed) been, and still are, bad for the sport, namely Wood, Rimmer and Moorhouse. Let's hope that they are gone as soon as possible. We need a fit and proper governing body that is subject to fair and proper independent audit. Until that happens the sport will remain in the doldrums and not attract the investment and TV deals etc it deserves.'" /> ...as he did by voting against automatic promotion for the club you mean?

Quote ="belcki"Faxlore says above .... "[iI think you should be venting your disgust towards the RFL and the SL clubs[/i" Two points: [i[ua) If the Bulls were in SLE then Chalmers would have also acted with self interest. [/u[/i b) In any case Faxlore is very right to say that he thinks we should be venting our disgust towards the RFL. They have for years, and still are, ruining the sport. Today's vote is another step towards bringing the three main people to account who have (it is commonly believed) been, and still are, bad for the sport, namely Wood, Rimmer and Moorhouse. Let's hope that they are gone as soon as possible. We need a fit and proper governing body that is subject to fair and proper independent audit. Until that happens the sport will remain in the doldrums and not attract the investment and TV deals etc it deserves.'" /> ...as he did by voting against automatic promotion for the club you mean?

Technically Chalmers hasn't voted against automatic promotion. Looking at Twitter right now, how the Championship and League 1 is structured was removed from the earlier vote. There is a separate Championship and L1 meeting to discuss that, which could include us going up. I'd be surprised if Chalmers, now he has been "lumped" with the major vote going his way, voted against any proposal that saw us promoted this year

Tweey from Gareth Walker:

"Championship and League One clubs now on a break from discussing their future structures. No agreement yet, and the decision will be made by the RFL board, rather than the clubs, hopefully today"



Considering the RFL were the ones who proposed 14 team championship, looks like we'll be promoted in a few hours. Doesn't feel right does it.

Quote ="Bull Mania"Doesn't feel right does it.'" /> No, which is why I fully expect it to go against us!

Quote ="Bull Mania"Doesn't feel right does it.'" /> No, which is why I fully expect it to go against us!

Do they ever publish minutes from these meetings?

I get what JK said about our being in this division being due to 'help' from money being with-held and hefty points deductions going against us, but without the adrenaline of a win there's hardly anything to celebrate if we get pushed up as collateral. /> Feels like another pointless season if that happens

I get what JK said about our being in this division being due to 'help' from money being with-held and hefty points deductions going against us, but without the adrenaline of a win there's hardly anything to celebrate if we get pushed up as collateral. /> Feels like another pointless season if that happens

Kear is, of course, correct though. We have been shafted enough in recent years. I will happily take a "free" promotion, which we knew would happen after we announced the signing of Webster.

Hey, its ME! How ya doing, fella? Proper Sport must have been a boon for you this year. /> I know you'll especially have enjoyed the brilliant exploits of that promising young coach I told you about, McNamara. www.rlfans.com/images/smilies//icon_smile.gif" alt="icon_smile.gif" title="Smile" />

Hey, its ME! How ya doing, fella? Proper Sport must have been a boon for you this year. /> I know you'll especially have enjoyed the brilliant exploits of that promising young coach I told you about, McNamara. www.rlfans.com/images/smilies//icon_smile.gif" alt="icon_smile.gif" title="Smile" />

Quote ="Ferocious Aardvark"Hey, its ME! How ya doing, fella? Proper Sport must have been a boon for you this year. /> I know you'll especially have enjoyed the brilliant exploits of that promising young coach I told you about, McNamara. www.rlfans.com/images/smilies//icon_smile.gif" alt="icon_smile.gif" title="Smile" />'" www.rlfans.com/images/smilies//icon_smile.gif" alt="icon_smile.gif" title="Smile" /> I have just got out of therapy this week after the stunning win by the Catalans. I am saddened you never came to visit FA. www.rlfans.com/images/smilies//icon_sad.gif" alt="icon_sad.gif" title="Sad" />

Quote ="Ferocious Aardvark"Hey, its ME! How ya doing, fella? Proper Sport must have been a boon for you this year. /> I know you'll especially have enjoyed the brilliant exploits of that promising young coach I told you about, McNamara. www.rlfans.com/images/smilies//icon_smile.gif" alt="icon_smile.gif" title="Smile" />'" www.rlfans.com/images/smilies//icon_smile.gif" alt="icon_smile.gif" title="Smile" /> I have just got out of therapy this week after the stunning win by the Catalans. I am saddened you never came to visit FA. www.rlfans.com/images/smilies//icon_sad.gif" alt="icon_sad.gif" title="Sad" />

Blimey, have I just stepped back in time 5 years?



And why are they being NICE to each other?

We didn't get a vote on being relegated from SL when they decided to start relegation again, just nice and handily when we finished next to bottom after a points deduction - nor when we should have been relegated from the championship and they insisted we go back in the same division with another points deduction and no team for a season of penury. So I'll take anything offered, with no shame whatever - isn't it great being the RFL's pet?

Me and FA have always gotten on famously. He is the Yin to my Yang.

Latest rumour is play-offs for L1 stay the same, but loser plays bottom championship club in MPG type match. So possibility no one from championship could be relegated.

Quote ="Bull Mania"Latest rumour is play-offs for L1 stay the same, but loser plays bottom championship club in MPG type match. So possibility no one from championship could be relegated.'" /> That doesn't make sense. What about the L1 league winners?

Quote ="Bull Mania"Latest rumour is play-offs for L1 stay the same, but loser plays bottom championship club in MPG type match. So possibility no one from championship could be relegated.'" /> That doesn't make sense. What about the L1 league winners?