Re: IMG Recommendations for British RL : Thu Sep 29, 2022 6:48 am  

Barrie’s Glass Eye wrote:

I think you’re being optimistic saying most supporters, a quick browse of social media or the virtual terrace shows the pitchforks are out already.

But this really is the sensible solution, it should allow for teams to create multi year sponsorship, develop young players all which the current spectre of relegation does not allow. And let’s be honest, it’s mostly just the same couple of teams signing each other’s players and going up/down in the current system anyway.

The key is that the criteria is now A, transparent and B, stuck to.

Some people saying that on field performance or your own stadium should be top of the list. For me too if the list should be youth development/academy and engagement with the local community/ grass roots

Spot on. Trouble with RL in this country is that there’s too many small minded clubs along with their fans. They don’t see or care about the bigger picture with long term growth needed. Union and NRL are blasting this sport to death at the moment

Re: IMG Recommendations for British RL : Thu Sep 29, 2022 9:36 am  

It's very easy for Leeds fans to sit back safe in the knowledge that we're always going to be safe whatever proposals are created.

However this creation of B clubs who will get assessed every year just means those clubs, probably around half of Super League, won't be able to plan long term as they could be relegated at any moment. It means the A clubs (Leeds, St Helens, Catalan, Warrington, probably Hull KR, Wigan and maybe Hull and Huddersfield) will get a permanent place and will be able to carve up the best players and the trophies amongst themselves. That won't do anything to make SL more competitive.

Also if loop fixtures are going then it would have to be a 14 team league otherwise the numbers don't stack up.

Re: IMG Recommendations for British RL : Thu Sep 29, 2022 11:03 am  

There should also be a commitment to strong reserve and youth competitions by clubs, especially those that are given Grade A status.

Re: IMG Recommendations for British RL : Thu Sep 29, 2022 11:34 am  

The Ghost of '99 wrote:

It's very easy for Leeds fans to sit back safe in the knowledge that we're always going to be safe whatever proposals are created.

However this creation of B clubs who will get assessed every year just means those clubs, probably around half of Super League, won't be able to plan long term as they could be relegated at any moment. It means the A clubs (Leeds, St Helens, Catalan, Warrington, probably Hull KR, Wigan and maybe Hull and Huddersfield) will get a permanent place and will be able to carve up the best players and the trophies amongst themselves. That won't do anything to make SL more competitive.

Also if loop fixtures are going then it would have to be a 14 team league otherwise the numbers don't stack up.

Totally agree. I think this IMG need to sit down again and try to find the real problems to the game.

Re: IMG Recommendations for British RL : Thu Sep 29, 2022 11:41 am  

The Ghost of '99 wrote:

It's very easy for Leeds fans to sit back safe in the knowledge that we're always going to be safe whatever proposals are created.

However this creation of B clubs who will get assessed every year just means those clubs, probably around half of Super League, won't be able to plan long term as they could be relegated at any moment. It means the A clubs (Leeds, St Helens, Catalan, Warrington, probably Hull KR, Wigan and maybe Hull and Huddersfield) will get a permanent place and will be able to carve up the best players and the trophies amongst themselves. That won't do anything to make SL more competitive.

Also if loop fixtures are going then it would have to be a 14 team league otherwise the numbers don't stack up.

Fixtures wise we could have a draw like the NRL. They don’t play every team home and away, as part of player welfare because their players union actually has some clout.

Re: IMG Recommendations for British RL : Thu Sep 29, 2022 11:49 am  

The Ghost of '99 wrote:

It's very easy for Leeds fans to sit back safe in the knowledge that we're always going to be safe whatever proposals are created.

However this creation of B clubs who will get assessed every year just means those clubs, probably around half of Super League, won't be able to plan long term as they could be relegated at any moment. It means the A clubs (Leeds, St Helens, Catalan, Warrington, probably Hull KR, Wigan and maybe Hull and Huddersfield) will get a permanent place and will be able to carve up the best players and the trophies amongst themselves. That won't do anything to make SL more competitive.

Also if loop fixtures are going then it would have to be a 14 team league otherwise the numbers don't stack up.

A lot will depend on criteria. I've seen a lot of suggestions that involve us, saints, pies, wire, FC and cats as the grade As but there's nothing to say that the likes of kr, wakey, Leigh won't be too, with maybe only a couple of b graders thrown in. Depends where the bar is set

Re: IMG Recommendations for British RL : Thu Sep 29, 2022 11:55 am  

Clearwing wrote:

A lot will depend on criteria. I've seen a lot of suggestions that involve us, saints, pies, wire, FC and cats as the grade As but there's nothing to say that the likes of kr, wakey, Leigh won't be too, with maybe only a couple of b graders thrown in. Depends where the bar is set

Apart from a lower average crowd KR are a stronger business, brand and club than FC so it's hard to see why they would be graded lower.

Wigan are a bit of a mess financially and have no control over their stadium. Will be interesting to see if on-field performance, strong Academy and good (but declining) crowds alone are enough to make them an A.

Re: IMG Recommendations for British RL : Thu Sep 29, 2022 1:04 pm  

I’d say Kr are closer to been an A than FC are.

I also think with the new ground underway and a stronger recent record of youth development Wakefield are in a better spot than most think. Yea they’re not earning massive money but they do live within their means.

Re: IMG Recommendations for British RL : Thu Sep 29, 2022 1:22 pm  

Sounds like they want London in, so the criteria may be skewed in their favour, which is how we got in such a mess last time. Crusaders given a franchise just as they went bust, and Widnes gambling on a franchise award that didn't come and they haven't really recovered from that.

Re: IMG Recommendations for British RL : Thu Sep 29, 2022 1:44 pm  

The structure needs sorting, but its at least realistic in terms of recognising that not all clubs are equal. Saying that the "B" clubs won't be able to compete suggests that they can now. SL has been held back partly by trying to level down. This is a step in the right direction - level up if you want to be a SL side.

I think the other thing that really might be important is that IMG are not just dumping a report on the game and walking away. They are part of the process moving forward. The clubs need to get with the programme and work on the structure. Then IMG have to show whether they can deliver what the sport really, desperately needs - money. They are in this to make dough. The only way they can is if the game starts to grow and make all clubs better off. That means new TV/media deals but I'd also hope they have a strategy to get seriously wealthy people to invest in the game.