I might be wrong, but I don't think the RFL have stated what's going to happen after 2012-2015? (i.e. there may well be no guarantee of a Championship side 'going up')

I suppose the big differences is that Leigh was in effect a National League side playing in SL so our base support didn't suffer , equally after relegation we looked to come back up via promotion (and should have done with the squad we had).

The club thrown out of SL havn't got any hopes of that and are guarenteed 3 years in the lower division.



If its a established SL club (and lets be honest unless its Crusaders or Hull KR then every other club in SL is pretty much a established SL club) then I just don't think the club or its fans will get over the shock of it all.

Could you imagine the reaction is someone like Wakey was announced for 'demotion' in July but then went on a great run of results, finished in the top 4 and had a real rack at the playoffs?!



How red would faces at Red Hall be?!?

The sad thing is this could actually happen, then like you say how would they react to that.

Not inconcievable that the ' demoted ' club could make a Challenge Cup final next year

That's a good point as well Steve.

Very doubtful they will do that again , Widnes would have been in competition with Fax,Barrow and Batley this time , if of course the RFL hadn't sneaked in the ' extra ' criteria



Next time we will be competing with SL clubs



That is why IMO we need to be looking at 4,000 averages and becoming self sustaining if we are serious about getting into SL



And we arent going to do that unless we have a serious change of focus both on improving fan base and financing the club

AND that is how crazy this silly "transperently/experimental/ludicrously stupid daft short sighted luny idiotic and suicidal idea which has been unbelievably followed by chairirmen of "safe clubs" who thought it would relieve the pressure on them( as shown them by Fred the shred Goodwin) is.



Richard Lewis has never suceeeded in any sport he has been involved in but the real culprit in this is Gary Hetherington.

It would seem I confused somebody with this post



When I suggested a ' free jolly ' I was refering to the RFL providing the travel costs for the team and a minimum set of coaching staff



The directors pay their own way

I'm sure that still saves the clubs a fair whack.

Saves them a fair whack from an unncessary expenditure, though. Don't see any reason why our league [ineeds[/i a non-UK side in it, though that said I've already got my Euros stashed away for next year

I guess someoene received an irate phone call or three