Would Celtic? Are they currently obiding by the same salary cap and quota rules in the national league?

At their current rate of progress yes they would get promoted. As for complying with the rules, yes they are complying with the rules that they are obliged to, which is more than could be said for the following teams over the period Celtic Crusaders have been operating: Wigan, St Helens, Bradford, Wakefield, Wigan, Castleford, Hull and Hull KR(?). Should they be excluded on that basis.



Not really bothered either way whether Celtic got in or not (although I'm suprised the RFL didn't consider the cost of petrol for an away fan to drive down there), just as I'm not really bothered whether Widnes got in or not.



It just seems a little rich from Widnes and Leigh fans bemoaning the outcome of the licence applications when they have both had an oppurtunity to be in Super League previously and were both found, particularly Leigh who were abysmal on all fronts, to add nothing to the competition.

Personally i don`t think its a bit rich from Widnes and Leigh fans as you put it, neither of those clubs have been given the chance to play in SL with the knowledge that their will be no relegation along with having the chance to build their clubs with the 3 years grace period.



Both Leigh and Widnes were fighting a losing battle from the start whilst in SL as they were never given the chance of operating at the full salary cap or even close to it, they both basically fielded budget teams in the main.



If you asked me to put money on which club had the better chance of progressing in SL over a 3 year period out of Widnes, Celtic and Leigh my money would be on Widnes with the O`Connor management, with a decent side on the pitch they would attract the crowds which is something that Celtic have not even proven yet that they can do and that the people like RL down that way, its not far off 1 man and his dog at the minute.



Also do you think Celtic will have an ultra modern SL facility within 3 years as i can`t see it myself, i really do hope i have to eat my words on this one as i`m all for expansion but so far the RFL have failed with all its expansion attempts on British soil and don`t bother trying to say London in all its different formats has been a success.

Here are the correct gradings from the SL website rather than an (un)educated guess. We are one of only 3 grade A licences



Bradford Bulls B



Catalans Dragons C



Castleford Tigers C



Celtic Crusaders C



Harlequins RL C



Huddersfield Giants C



Hull FC A



Hull KR C



Leeds Rhinos A



St Helens B



Salford City Reds C



Wakefield Wildcats C



Warrington Wolves A



Wigan Warriors B

I don't agree with the decision, but I must admit its ambitious (albeit impatient) and fits in with the strategy of geographical expansion. So at least it is coherent for a change. It will probably be deemed a 'success', just like Harlequins is deemed a 'success' now, despite the fact that it will result in lower attendances across the league than would have been achieved if Leigh or Widnes would have been given a franchise.



The Les Cats case is often cited as a wonderful example of expansion but wrongly in my opinion. In truth this was simply the insertion of an already established French side into the SL, not the creation of a SL club in a development area.

Why is it not going to be the case the Salford stadium is already under construction and will be ready for the start of the 2010 season. So that will be 1 season at the old ground .

TBH i would be more worried about the Castleford ,Crusaders and Wakefield stadiums being up to scratch than the Salford one which imo is in the bag

Also Bradford ,Saints ,Hull kr and Leeds have a long way to go to get there stadia up to the required mark.

And to be brutally honest the only clubs who are already there are Wire,Hull,Wigan (although it is rented!) and Huddersfield .

Can't argue with what you say about promoted clubs coming from behind in respect of squads and finances. But look at it retrospectively too.



Looking at Widnes first; they did the hard part by staying up in their first season. Eventually relegated, because they weren't good enough. They have had two years since to get back in and haven't, another year (this season) would be three, no different than the licence duration.



If I am being brutally honest in respect of Leigh, I believe they came up, fully prepared and in the knowledge of going straight back down. They had no intention of trying to stay up.



Would Widnes, Leigh, etc, etc, be be bemoaning the fact of not getting promoted for three years, if thet didn't merit it? I don't see the difference.



I think people are missing the flip side of licensing; there is criteria to get in, I believe there will be criteria to remove, due to various non-performance elements. I don't know what they are, like everybody else outside the RFL, doesn't know the criteria for gaining a licence.



And when all said and one, as a regular away game attendee (as no doubt you are too Rob) I'd rather go to Bridgend for the day than Widnes.

I think Bridgend will make Widnes look like St Tropez.

No thats not true the are calling it the Viagra stadium as it stops them coming into Super League!!!

Having been to St Tropez, I can't see it.

What i wouldn`t mind knowing is how much Celtic Crusaders will get to spend on their squad for 2009, surely they won`t be given the full salary cap to spend as you have to earn that right with increased crowds and revenue etc



It will be interesting to know how the RFL will calculate their salary cap for 2009 because if it went on this years crowds then Celtic wouldn`t even be able to afford Johnny Warbo, quality aussies and other quality players don`t come cheap.

I'm sure RLFans Salary Cap Tsar SEB will know better but I'm pretty sure that there is now a 'flat' rate of 1.8 million rather than one calculated on revenue etc, making all of your post irrelevant.



I may well have dreamt that though.