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For mine, the RFL are damned if they do. That's my point. I don't honestly believe this will be the last time the leagues are reconfigured in the near future. They should stop trying to micro-manage the leagues to fit what would be better geographically.
In the long run a consistent league structure is the only way to build expansion teams.
Oh and on your point about Doncaster never seeing success. It could be argued that over the last 12/13 years we have in fact been a relatively successful team. Challenge cup 1/4 finals. Regularly competing in second league play-offs, puffers cup final, two promotions, south Yorkshire cup .... the list goes on.
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I'm sorry but the RFL hardly have a good track record as regards expansion etc. Gateshead and Sheffield for instance, the original clubs were asset stripped to shore up Hull sharks and Huddersfield, to their eternal credit both clubs reformed. Paris were first, when that didn't work Catalans came in,London broncos have had that many identities i can't even take them seriously . The sport is not in a good position, why try to expand ,when what you already have is struggling. There is only so much finance available at the moment, can't see the point in spreading it thinner on something that has been tried and is seemingly ,at the moment , unachievable .
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I don't think Catalan are a good example. The team is propped up with Aussies and Kiwis. The smattering of French players in there has not helped to increase the standard of the French international side.
Surely Catalan would be better served playing in a stronger French elite league. France RL desperately needs a higher standard top league. Come to think of it so does the UK.
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Good debate. Looking at the wreckage of tried and failed expansion clubs over the years, it's hard to make an argument in favour. Then of course there was Mansfield Marksman, Kent/Southend/Folkestone Invicta, Carlisle Border Raiders, Blackpool and Bridgend ( however, at least here there has been a spin-off of the North and South Wales teams). Expansion can work - the amateur game has proved that, but I believe, unless and until the game gets a foothold in schools, circumventing Rugby Union, we have little hope ( I don't see that happening any time soon). Better to make sure that we support and develop the teams we already have than to spread ourselves too thinly in my opinion.
On a separate point, as I've said before, 18 games in a season is too few. It does not allow you to gain momentum attendance-wise when there are yawning gaps in the schedules. Am so glad we have been promoted, as at least next season we will be getting another four home games which will help greatly and, of course, the added bonus of getting local derbies back! Good times. I'm still looking at this thread title and having to pinch myself!  icon_biggrin.gif" alt="icon_biggrin.gif" title="Very Happy" /> icon_biggrin.gif" alt="icon_biggrin.gif" title="Very Happy" /> |
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Good debate. Looking at the wreckage of tried and failed expansion clubs over the years, it's hard to make an argument in favour. Then of course there was Mansfield Marksman, Kent/Southend/Folkestone Invicta, Carlisle Border Raiders, Blackpool and Bridgend ( however, at least here there has been a spin-off of the North and South Wales teams). Expansion can work - the amateur game has proved that, but I believe, unless and until the game gets a foothold in schools, circumventing Rugby Union, we have little hope ( I don't see that happening any time soon). Better to make sure that we support and develop the teams we already have than to spread ourselves too thinly in my opinion.
On a separate point, as I've said before, 18 games in a season is too few. It does not allow you to gain momentum attendance-wise when there are yawning gaps in the schedules. Am so glad we have been promoted, as at least next season we will be getting another four home games which will help greatly and, of course, the added bonus of getting local derbies back! Good times. I'm still looking at this thread title and having to pinch myself! icon_biggrin.gif" alt="icon_biggrin.gif" title="Very Happy" /> icon_biggrin.gif" alt="icon_biggrin.gif" title="Very Happy" /> | |
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Quote ="Sandbag V"Quote Let us not forget the case FOR expansion which is, basically, Les Catalans. That part of France could become a heartland in the next few decades quite easily, and folk would never believe it wasn't.
'"
but it IS an RL heartland now and has been for a while along with the Toulouse area where the next french SL franchise will come from in a few years
Quote I would prefer less commercialisation in rugby league - clubs built less on money making principles but more upon the values of the sport. The salary cap is a good system (compared to the alternative of inflated wages in football) but if clubs like Bradford are going bust there must be some holes in it (I don't really know the ins and outs at Bradford). I would control foreign ownership of clubs (which basically distorts everything in football) and I support the RFL owning assets in clubs and actively intervening when clubs go bust.
'"
don't we need more commercialisation to bring in more investment ? Better management and wiser spending has to be the norm rather than spending more than the club is earning surely ?
If foreign money is saving clubs then isn't that good ? rather that than the club going out of business maybe ? The only way I can see your system working is if all SL clubs are part-time which will of course reduce the ovearall quality of the product but ensure a more stable environment and see clubs continuing with the other leagues playing catch-up and competing more equally in a few years time.
Quote Basically, if player wages and asset costs can be managed (mostly by the RFL) the 'heartlands' will be maintained in a pretty constant ">state.'"
agreed, I think
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Quote ="Sandbag V"Quote Let us not forget the case FOR expansion which is, basically, Les Catalans. That part of France could become a heartland in the next few decades quite easily, and folk would never believe it wasn't.
'"
but it IS an RL heartland now and has been for a while along with the Toulouse area where the next french SL franchise will come from in a few years
Quote I would prefer less commercialisation in rugby league - clubs built less on money making principles but more upon the values of the sport. The salary cap is a good system (compared to the alternative of inflated wages in football) but if clubs like Bradford are going bust there must be some holes in it (I don't really know the ins and outs at Bradford). I would control foreign ownership of clubs (which basically distorts everything in football) and I support the RFL owning assets in clubs and actively intervening when clubs go bust.
'"
don't we need more commercialisation to bring in more investment ? Better management and wiser spending has to be the norm rather than spending more than the club is earning surely ?
If foreign money is saving clubs then isn't that good ? rather that than the club going out of business maybe ? The only way I can see your system working is if all SL clubs are part-time which will of course reduce the ovearall quality of the product but ensure a more stable environment and see clubs continuing with the other leagues playing catch-up and competing more equally in a few years time.
Quote Basically, if player wages and asset costs can be managed (mostly by the RFL) the 'heartlands' will be maintained in a pretty constant ">state.'"
agreed, I think
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Quote ="originaldragon"I don't think Catalan are a good example. The team is propped up with Aussies and Kiwis. The smattering of French players in there has not helped to increase the standard of the French international side.
Surely Catalan would be better served playing in a stronger French elite league. France RL desperately needs a higher standard top league. Come to think of it so does the ">UK.'"
the present Catalan side is represented in the french league with their reserve club (UTC) - the current Catalan Dragons squad contains 19 french qualified players who have played for the first team in the SL this season which isn't bad and hardly 'propped up with aussies and kiwis' as you suggest but I agree the international team hasn't progressed much and won't until another french SL team emerges and even then they will never compete with the likes of the England team with such a huge professional pool to choose from
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Quote ="originaldragon"I don't think Catalan are a good example. The team is propped up with Aussies and Kiwis. The smattering of French players in there has not helped to increase the standard of the French international side.
Surely Catalan would be better served playing in a stronger French elite league. France RL desperately needs a higher standard top league. Come to think of it so does the ">UK.'"
the present Catalan side is represented in the french league with their reserve club (UTC) - the current Catalan Dragons squad contains 19 french qualified players who have played for the first team in the SL this season which isn't bad and hardly 'propped up with aussies and kiwis' as you suggest but I agree the international team hasn't progressed much and won't until another french SL team emerges and even then they will never compete with the likes of the England team with such a huge professional pool to choose from
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