172traindriver
Legendary Member
It was @172traindriver & for far too long.
Try to keep this short, but that is difficult.
Promotion & relegation scrapped just after Leigh Centurions relegation from Super League in 2006. It was replaced by the "Franchise" system as operated by the NRL in Australia. As they tend to say about finance etc, "America coughs, the World gets a cold" the same happens here with the RFL who adopt anything the Aussie NRL do (or they did).
Fan pressure & Club pressure has ultimately overturned this ridiculous state of affairs, although the RFL would have us believe it is their idea.
The criteria to gain entry to Super League used to be based on Club Finance, attendances, stadium & facilities & geography.
Those clubs who fell in Geographically important areas (of Development) to the RFL were treated much differently to heartland clubs, with exemptions being made etc.
Many of these exemptions/concessions were unofficial, a few were including, going unpunished for financial irregularities/going into administration for example (the RFL bailed them out).
Fielding more than the overseas player quota, (O.k if you are a French, Welsh or London Club).
Having low attendances & Stadiums not fit for Super League.
Interestingly Bradord Bulls, a big club with a large following in a Rugby League heartland were punished last season by the RFL & docked 6 points for going into administration, a penalty that ultimately resulted in the relegation (introduced last season) along with London Broncos, who are just plain S#!T€ & have no fans or even a Stadium to call there own.
London (in their various names/guises & venues) have had more false starts than the starting grid at Brands Hatch & more 2nd chances than a pervy Torie MP & more name changes than a dodgy corner shop.
The RFL are hell bent on "Expansion" of the game to those who don't really want it, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, London & the majority of France.
The Catalan region are perhaps the exception, yet they were gifted direct entry to Super League, having never played in any U.K lower division & then a 6 year 'Freedom Pass' where they could not be relegated. At least they have a home stadium & a following.
So, relegation re-introduced last season but no promotion to SL, which is introduced this season (or Centurions would be in it).
Promotion this season is based on an overly complicated play off series that favours the current incumbents of SL & so no direct entry, no come top, win everything & get promoted, just a convoluted money spinner.
Wouldn't happen in any other sport.
War & Peace over....
Praise the Lord I hear you say
Quite the opposite to your last 2 lines, much appreciated. I saw something recently on telly at a really early hour in the messroom about the London Broncos. Could only half hear it, but I got the gist that they were claiming a London team was required etc etc. Typical, this country is based around bloody London, I suppose their fans would most like be ex-pats either from up north or down under. I would assume Union is the favoured game down south.
The Welsh team went belly up didn't they, last I remember they were playing at Wrexhams ground after playing down south Wales weren't they.
When my mate and me used to watch St Helens, in the early 90's Bradford were the major team that seemed to keep on winning and Wigan were on a bit of a decline.
But like most things you only dominate for so long (Liverpool and possibly Man U now).
Some of the teams from then and before when I used to go have now virtually disappeared or at least dropped right down the leagues. Suppose they say that progress.
but managed to get back on the turbo a few weeks ago and will now ride more casually for fitness only and still intend to buy a bike in Cyprus - the cash is already in the kitty!!
