Deadcowboys1 wrote:
So which plan, if either, do you think offers the most hope?
Discuss without apology or even a lemming.
Martyn Saddler's is as mad as a bag of spanners. It is 100% unworkable and designed to pander to people who hark for the good old days. It would do little for the development of the game with the top clubs still hoovering up the best talent and the same clubs featuring at the end of the year.
Richardson's is a bit better.....I definitely think we need an independent commission to run the sport.
Mine? A stronger Top tier with a clear pathway to get into it is key....if we move to licencing then there needs to be some cold hard decisions made...no more bullcrap smoke and mirrors about new stadiums....either build them or bugger off. And mergers....they need to happen. Castleford and Wakefield need to merge and build one new stadium......and then work to attract a 12k average gate.
If London are involved, then SL or whatever it's called need to own the club a la storm.....if sky want change then they need to get their chequebook out. There needs to be a 10 year plan, visited after 24, 60 and 84 months with progress being rewarded and failure to hit targets resulting in reduced funding.....
Personally....3 teams from Manchester, a team from Liverpool, 3 from Yorkshire as well as a hull side and 4 other sides......all with a clear set of targets they must adhere to. I'd remove the cap but have stricter rules on overseas trained players. All clubs would run academy's as well as a ladies side. Benefactors will be fine, but clubs will have a minimum target to hit of income from fans & Sponsors. Also clear targets for community work
A collective marketing team.....pushing the comp as well as helping teams who need it most.
But clear understanding that your place at the top table is dependent on you pulling your weight.
Get it up and running....once it's working the independent commission can negotiate with media.....if we have 6 games a week averaging 15k in the stadiums then we will have a product to sell....currently it seems like post covid, many fans have found other things to do......and Saddler's plan for st Helens to murder Workington twice a year is insane.....although if it come to be, I'd want us in conference 3 which looks like a 2nd tier comp already...