Play Offs Scrapped : Thu Sep 30, 2010 7:10 am
Following events over the weekend and comments posted on various forums since, the RFL have decided to scrap end of season play-offs.RFL spokesman Mr Nigel Creosote said: “After Sunday and the way that Featherstone blew an 18-point lead with 22 minutes to go we feel it is unfair that they end the season with nothing other than a piddly shield. As the club and supporters had already proclaimed themselves as League Champions despite not winning the Grand Final we thought this action would save embarrassment to whichever club finished top of the league next season and promptly printed merchandise confirming their club as “Champions 2011” without first waiting on the outcome of the play-offs, which are more important.”
“It is a shame as the supporters and staff of all our member clubs appreciate that the winners of the Grand Final are crowned as Champions and the league rounds simply decide the final placings for the play-offs. I love the Grand Final day outs too, there’s no better way to enjoy a free 8-course meal before the game. With Widnes not reaching one for years, the Championship Final was also a great way to watch 2 teams who we will never allow into Super League play out a terrific game of rugby league with no ultimate reward of access into our private-members league.”
Featherstone’s official match reporter Mr C Ali said: “Brilliant news. I said all along that the play-off final was just a day out for the supporters. With no promotion on the line then the game is pointless anyway, and for our season to be decided by just one bounce of the ball is very cruel indeed. I’m sure Zak, Matty and Finny will be delighted. It also means we can press ahead with plans to rename our stadium again to ‘Champions 2010 Stadium’.”
This news means that Featherstone’s forthcoming charity single release “Championes” can also go ahead as planned. Featherstone’s Supporters Trust spokesman Mr Frank Cap, or Flat as he’s know to his friends commented: “This is great news for Fev supporters. We will be involved in the single as footage from Sunday’s game where me and my fellow supporters were singing this with 30 minutes to go will be edited into the song which the players recorded 4 weeks ago.”
The rule comes in with immediate effect so Saturday’s Super League Grand Final will now be preceded with a presentation to League Champions Wigan Warriors. Their subsequent game against St Helens will now be played as an end of season friendly doubled up with a testimonial for Keiron Cunningham so Eddie & Stevo can continue to pay gushing tributes to the greatest player ever to grace our game.
Meanwhile, Sunday’s evacuation and choice of venue for the final are also being investigated. Mr Creosote confirmed: “The seats at Warrington are just not comfortable as they turn up at the edges. Because of this the 3 seats I was sat on has created indents on my 8 buttocks. I was also disappointed with the unplanned evacuation, this meant I had to wait an extra 45 minutes before I could get my 4–course meal at half-time.”
