League 1 : Mon Jul 24, 2017 6:39 am  

League 1 in its current form is not working. There is a massive gap in playing standard between the northern and southern teams. Now the league has split into two leagues of 8, games will be much more competitive, which is better for all involved, nobody wants to play for or go watch a team getting beaten by 30-40 points most weeks. Why not permanently split the league into a League 1 and League 2?

Having a League 2 or it could be called League 1 south, would also make it much easier to introduce new expansion clubs, as they would only be competing with relatively new clubs. I would start with the League been a closed shop, with no promotion/relegation, with the exception of adding new expansion clubs. In say 5 years time, if the League 2 clubs are competitive with the northern clubs in the League 1 cup and Challenge Cup, promotion and relegation between the two could start.

Re: League 1 : Mon Jul 24, 2017 6:58 am  

The championship isn't working with lots of the northern team struggling to keep up with the southern teams. Bring in a Canadian side I say to add some balance.

Re: League 1 : Mon Jul 24, 2017 7:30 am  

Sir Kevin Sinfield wrote:

League 1 in its current form is not working. There is a massive gap in playing standard between the northern and southern teams. Now the league has split into two leagues of 8, games will be much more competitive, which is better for all involved, nobody wants to play for or go watch a team getting beaten by 30-40 points most weeks. Why not permanently split the league into a League 1 and League 2?

Having a League 2 or it could be called League 1 south, would also make it much easier to introduce new expansion clubs, as they would only be competing with relatively new clubs. I would start with the League been a closed shop, with no promotion/relegation, with the exception of adding new expansion clubs. In say 5 years time, if the League 2 clubs are competitive with the northern clubs in the League 1 cup and Challenge Cup, promotion and relegation between the two could start.

Something needs to change I agree. Highlight the point above to expand on it. It appears fans don't even want to go and watch teams WINNING by 30-40 points most weeks! Barrow have been going really well but crowds are still massively down.

The organisation of it all is horrendous as well, got to play every team home and away. As it stands Barrow have played Toronto and Haven both away; and now in the 8's they'll play Toronto and Haven both away again. Not only is it not fair on-the-pitch; it also harms clubs financially by taking away competitive home fixtures!

Would make sense to level out the numbers of teams in Championship and League 1.

Re: League 1 : Mon Jul 24, 2017 7:43 am  

RAB-2411 wrote:

Would make sense to level out the numbers of teams in Championship and League 1.

A 14 team Super League, 14 team Championship and 12 team League 1 would certainly be much better than the current format. There would still be the north/south playing standard divide in League 1, it would just leave less northern teams in the League. Personally I think a League 1 north and League 1 south would be better.

Re: League 1 : Mon Jul 24, 2017 7:54 am  

I'd go along with that.

Re: League 1 : Mon Jul 24, 2017 8:18 am  

Off the pitch standards down south wouldn't permit a southern division, without big changes to stadium standards. Some of the teams who would be eligible on playing standards play on playing fields.

Reading between the lines there will be fewer southern teams in pro RL next year anyway. Lots of rumours about who is out flying around Broncos yesterday. We shall see.

Re: League 1 : Mon Jul 24, 2017 8:27 am  

League 1 is a graveyard for RL clubs.
For those that were dropped form the championship a few seasons back its been an absolute disaster.
There does need to be a gateway for new clubs but the likes of Hemel, Coventry, Oxford ans the Ironmen are not ready for that level and the effect that dropping down to such a level for clubs like Whitehaven, Barrow, York etc is shocking.
By trying to increase competitiveness in the Championship, we have all but cast certain clubs into the wilderness.

Re: League 1 : Mon Jul 24, 2017 10:16 am  

wrencat1873 wrote:

League 1 is a graveyard for RL clubs.
For those that were dropped form the championship a few seasons back its been an absolute disaster.
There does need to be a gateway for new clubs but the likes of Hemel, Coventry, Oxford ans the Ironmen are not ready for that level and the effect that dropping down to such a level for clubs like Whitehaven, Barrow, York etc is shocking.
By trying to increase competitiveness in the Championship, we have all but cast certain clubs into the wilderness.

So now the next step is to increase competitiveness in League 1. It's not going to happen instantly. At this level, some clubs will be duds because they have no where to go when they fail and no where to build from to prepare. They come in cold.

The likes of Gloucestershire, London Skolars and Crusaders are proving competitive and are bringing through their own players.
Coventry have a solid base and good crowds for their level. With some investment, they could really take off.

Oxford have shown some glimpses, but don't have the foundations of the others yet.
South Wales have had a nomadic existence and no one has been able to get behind them because of this. Of financial issue to the next. Hopefully now that they have a proper base (having been taken over by an established club stepping up rather than being a new club trying to make it big) they'll be able to kick on.
Hemel have been a huge let down. They're one of the clubs I thought would kick on at this level but they chairman then made a ridiculous decision to basically turn the club into Dewsbury B team and base them up north. They took the club from the community and are now just a fixture filler.

If we want clubs to step up, they've got to be given the chance to. And they've got to be given the time to.

Re: League 1 : Mon Jul 24, 2017 10:29 am  

In regards to splitting the league, I agree that 16 is too big and the fixture format is a joke because of this.

If the structure changes soon, and we see a 14 team SL and Championship (giving an ideal 27-game round-robin season) then that leaves a 12 team League 1 (with an ideal 22-game round-robin season) but also leaves no room for further expansion.

You've got the likes of Manchester Rangers, Avignon, Villeneuve, Nottingham, Cardiff (I'm sure I've missed out others) that have expressed an interest in stepping up. There's plenty of scope for a potential League 2.

Re: League 1 : Mon Jul 24, 2017 11:42 am  

a 14 team SL with no protection from relegation? it would be a good time to be an agent for Queensland cup players