I've done some research on the super league licencing for a piece of coursework, we really dont stand a chance for a long long time yet, as much as i'd love to see my home town in super league its gonna be a while... at least 2017 possibly 2020.
The criteria works on a points system, the clubs with most points get in, simples!
Stadium with a capacity of 12,000+ = 1 point
Stadium meeting standards of a premier 21st centuary competition = 1 point
Averaging 10,000 speccies = 1point
Stadium working at 40%+ capacity = 1 point
Club being solvent = 1 point
Club with an annual turnover of £4million = 1 point
Gaining a top 8 position in Championship over 3 years = 1 point
At least 25% of players being home grown = 1 point
Not breaching salary cap for three previous seasons = 1 point
Not having another rugby league club within 20 miles = 1 point
Thats just the 2009 criteria!
So realistically where are we now, and how long is it going to take to take to super league? Cos we won't be as lucky as Toulouse with the joy's of being an isolated club for expansion purposes.
I think we need to start working on bringing fans in to start of with.
The phrase trying to run before you can walk springs to mind...