Re: Takeover ratification? : Fri Oct 18, 2013 3:42 pm  

Some people over on the Broncos forum have suggested that London have asked for a dispensation that prevents them from being relegated during the next two seasons. I can see that going down well with other clubs if it ever comes to pass

[Bulliac]

Re: Takeover ratification? : Fri Oct 18, 2013 3:52 pm  

BullCharge wrote:

What baffles me is this:

If we were to be replaced by Halifax, Sheffield, Featherstone or Leigh, we would be being replaced by a team with less than half our attendance figures, and with a squad with no chance of competing in Super League. Those four championship squads are not prepared, even if they say they are, to take the step up, as the gulf in the salary cap is too big. So I don't know how a team that has not been preparing to play in super league all year, that hasn't signed any super league players or overseas players, can replace us, and avoid finishing bottom.

Secondly, London Broncos must be in a worse position than us. They have no ground to play at, and have let half of their players go, bringing none in. They have the worst attendance figures in the league too.

You must have forgotten the form for P&R.

All contracts of the relegated club are made null and void as that club is now in no position to pay them in the next season. The usual situation is that the promoted club takes on the majority of players from the relegated club. As you say their most likely finishing position is always going to be bottom.

Re: Takeover ratification? : Fri Oct 18, 2013 4:23 pm  

Nothus wrote:

Some people over on the Broncos forum have suggested that London have asked for a dispensation that prevents them from being relegated during the next two seasons. I can see that going down well with other clubs if it ever comes to pass

I would ask under what circumstances London deserve dispensation?

Re: Takeover ratification? : Fri Oct 18, 2013 8:56 pm  

the answer, R2D2 iS: being in London.<- full stop, period. To misquote the rfl chairman, theres a lot of grassroots stuff going on in London, so they need to be able to reach the pinnacle of RL, - SL.

Re: Takeover ratification? : Sat Oct 19, 2013 1:05 am  

martinwildbull wrote:

the answer, R2D2 iS: being in London.<- full stop, period. To misquote the rfl chairman, theres a lot of grassroots stuff going on in London, so they need to be able to reach the pinnacle of RL, - SL.

Sorry, but that argument ( and I'm pretty certain you meant it sarcastically) doesn't actually hold weight. If the Broncos were so important to all these grassroots in London, then surely that would be reflected in things like crowds, after all there are people from grass roots clubs in Bradford who come watch the Bulls and I'm sure the same applies to places like Leeds, Wakefield, St Helens etc.

And why would they need a SL club there to reach the pinnacle of RL? I can't believe that the other SL clubs don't have people scouting this area so the talented youngsters will be on the radar.

And what do London actually bring to SL? It's certainly not big crowds. If you replaced London with either Featherstone or Halifax you'd see an increase in the average SL attendance and those 2 clubs would easily beat London's average attendances. And would be a good thing for the whole league. Bigger crowds mean all clubs have more revenue coming in and can help towards securing sponsorship for the league.

Then, maybe with all these grassroots they're supplying a large number of players to the home nation international teams? Oh wait, no they're not.

No, the truth is London Broncos NEED SL, not the other way round. They need SL to keep overlooking their poor crowds and the general lack of interest they generate.

[Bulliac]

Re: Takeover ratification? : Sat Oct 19, 2013 2:29 pm  

I still hold to the view that rugby league, if it ever wishes top be considered a major sport in the UK, needs a successful [defined as you will] presence in the capital. The truth is I don't know how 'solid' the grass roots are in London, nor do I really know how much the London SL club is necessary to retain or grow those roots but I do know those roots are substantial and it would be a real sad day for the game if the fruits of all that work went belly up.

I'd suspect the Broncos are a figurehead for the game down there, just as the city sides in the north are for their own areas, and same as the 'grass roots' development, to me it would be a desperate shame if 30 odd years of blood sweat an tears went down the pan.

Re: Takeover ratification? : Sat Oct 19, 2013 4:29 pm  

Knowing a little bit about the academy,I would say London's academy is doing very well.Dont know what the answer is for London and it's certainly looking bleak,but if Broncos go it would be really bad news for a lot of young lads coming through the system.

Won't be holding my breath for RFL to come up with a solution for them young lads

Re: Takeover ratification? : Sat Oct 19, 2013 4:44 pm  

The problem is as soon as you loose a super league in the capital you loose what
is classed as a national game. Sky would then offer monies to what will be classed as local to the north of England. Could the league and clubs afford to take that chance.

Re: Takeover ratification? : Sat Oct 19, 2013 6:16 pm  

That is a good point,maybe the RFL will use that to keep London in super league

Re: Takeover ratification? : Sat Oct 19, 2013 7:35 pm  

Whether most fans like it or not we have to hope to keep a team in London or the game we all know is doomed in its current format. Its down to BBC prices and floodlight comps