www.runcornandwidnesweeklynews.c ... -25355203/

www.runcornandwidnesweeklynews.c ... -25355203/

Quote .... "[iI know we will be in Super League in 2012[/i".



Just like Mr Calland comments last season, what a great motivation for all other Championship clubs.



There's a long way to go yet. Seems that Mr O'Connor is smoking cigars already.



We'll see.

I think '2012' and 'franchises' should be banned under the swear filter. We've got a competitive, exciting league with a varying array of days out, grounds to visit and long-standing rivalries, and all at an affordable price. Believe me, that isn't the case in Super League these days.

Sounds like nothing of the sort.

Name me one club that comes close to us in terms of meeting the franchise criteria. We're streets ahead of the likes of Barrow and Halifax.

Are Barrow really going to get to our standard in any other area than playing performance over the next twelve months? I very much doubt it.



We're confident and rightly so.

And if/when you get in to Super League, what happens then? Year after year of trying to tick off-field boxes while aiming for nothing more than an occasional first round defeat in the play-offs? The grass isn't always greener on the other side.



And if S O'C thinks he's put big money in already (fair play to the bloke, he must be mad), then think how much more he'll have to put in when going from a £400,000 salary cap to £1.8million.

Alternatively we may wish to aim higher. With the benefit of a bigger fanbase, playing against our historic big rivals, becoming an attractive club that once again can attract top name stars and youngsters, we have everything in place to support continual and sustained growth in the top flight. Just look at the progress Hull Kr made in 3 seasons.







I think SOC is astute and wise enough to know what he's signed up to.

And look at their accounts, it simply isn't sustainable. I'd genuinely wish you the very best of luck if you were given the chance in Super League, but it really isn't all that it's cracked up to be. Given me Batley and Dewsbury ahead of Cas and Wakefield any day of the week.

Nonsense.If a SL spot was decided by promotion and winning a grand final then you would have a good point but it isn't,it's based on a 'robust' system of criteria of which every detail is scrutinised

and all mr o'connor is saying is we meet those standards as of now.

Not really considering all the boxes will already have been ticked and that's why we'll be in Super league! What would be left to tick? 10k crowds & average 8th place in 3 years? Hmmm... I think that will be based on the playing squad in Super League anyway!







Add an extra 3k fans at least... buying shirts and season tickets, programmes (will be back IMO), other merchandise, cup tickets i'd say looking at at least another 750,000 in the pot and add the extra SKY money also.

With a positive attitude like this we can't go wrong. You could say whats the point of anything. Isn't this what Leigh have been doing for years, going out in early play-off rounds? The likes of Wakey, Cas etc. getting in the play-offs is a big thing. We'll have a stronger club because of it.



And yes, SOC has put his money where his mouth is but you've wrote that like he has to find £1.8M of his own money when we go up!.........I don't think so!

The RFL will "let in" who they want... End of... The last round of criteria/license apps proved that..

We'll tick 1 box that you never will - location. We will also tick the 'financially sound' box as well. Widnes may struggle to do that given your recent points deduction and massive loss last year.



I agree you are ahead of the pack at present, but your Chairman's comments are disrespectful and highly presumptuous.



I know for a fact that your forum would be red-hot had our Chairman made the same remarks.



I also know that the comments will be like a red rag to a bull for the Barrow BOD.



As last season showed, anything is possible.