Last updated: 2nd May 2008
Featherstone Rovers were the latest side to come under the Boots 'n' All licensing spotlight.
With clubs being asked to put their bids in for a permit to take part in the competition from 2009, every week Angela Powers will be out and about seeing how the candidates meet the necessary criteria.
A few eyebrows were raised when Rovers revealed they were applying to take part in Super League, but the rank outsiders say they shouldn't be judged until the RFL has seen what they have to offer.
They hit they headlines when they re-named their stadium after Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles, but the groundis more than just a publicity stunt; it is surrounded by 17 acres of land which is primed for development.
However their plans for improvement are a long way from becoming a reality and at present, they do not meet the premier competition standard, nor do they pick up any points for capacity or attendance.
However, with ticket sales going up following their promotion to National League One, the club hope their average gate of around 1,500 will shoot up in the years to come.
Despite an increase in their commercial activities, they are still a long way off reaching the annual turnover level of £4million. Having never been in Super League they can't earn a point for contributing to the competition and their geographical location does not help them either.
However, they do pick up points for being solvent, for never breaching the salary cap and for having at least eight home-grown players in their squad last season.
So Boots 'n' All reckons they would get three points, which would earn them a C licence. That's unlikely to see them accepted into Super League, but it's a good start.
Andy Prout, Featherstone Rovers Chief Executive said: It's a serious application. We want a license for 2009.
We want to take our fans with us into Super League and the community club status of Featherstone Rovers to be battling with Castleford, Wakefield and all the other giants of Super League.
There are three professional rugby league clubs in this area, not two. We are Featherstone Rovers and proud of it.
| CRITERIA |
|
|
Capacity of 12,000 + | NO | 0 |
| Premier competition standard ground | NO | 0 |
| Average crowd of 10,000 + | NO | 0 |
| Operating at 40 per cent full | NO | 0 |
| Turn over £4million + | NO | 0 |
| Solvent | YES | 1 |
| Contribution to competition | NO | 0 |
| Junior development | YES | 1 |
| No salary cap breaches | YES | 1 |
| No club within 20 miles | NO | 0 |
| GRAND TOTAL | 3 | |
| LICENSING GRADE | C |
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Engage Super League | |
| Saturday 5th July | |
| 18:00 | Harlequins RL vs St Helens |
| Sunday 6th July | |
| 12:00 | Castleford vs Hull K R |
| 15:00 | Huddersfield vs Bradford |
| 15:00 | Warrington vs Wakefield |
| 15:15 | Hull vs Catalans Dragons |
| Friday 11th July | |
| 20:00 | Leeds vs Huddersfield |
| Saturday 12th July | |
| 18:00 | Wakefield vs Hull |
| 20:00 | Catalans Dragons vs Harlequins RL |
| Sunday 13th July | |
| 15:00 | Hull K R vs Wigan |
| Friday 18th July | |
| 19:30 | Wigan vs St Helens |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Engage Super League | |
| Friday 4th July | |
| Wigan 23 - 22 Leeds | |
| Tuesday 1st July | |
| Wakefield 14 - 30 Catalans Dragons | |
| Sunday 29th June | |
| Hull 22 - 24 Warrington | |
| Bradford 40 - 20 Hull K R | |
| St Helens 46 - 16 Huddersfield | |
| Saturday 28th June | |
| Leeds 18 - 12 Castleford | |
| Friday 27th June | |
| Wigan 38 - 20 Harlequins RL | |
| Sunday 22nd June | |
| Castleford 22 - 22 Wigan | |
| Bradford 36 - 22 Hull | |
| Huddersfield 26 - 16 Harlequins RL | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leeds Rhinos | 20 | 30 |
| 2 | St Helens | 19 | 28 |
| 3 | Catalans Dragons | 19 | 27 |
| 4 | Wigan Warriors | 19 | 23 |
| 5 | Bradford Bulls | 19 | 20 |
| 6 | Warrington Wolves | 19 | 20 |
Stevo says that while Leeds should see off the Wigan challenge, they must not underestimate them.
Will a second French side be awarded a place in Super League next year? Boots 'n' All investigates.
Boots 'n' All crosses the Channel to assess Catalans Dragons' bid for a Super League spot in 2009.
Stevo says that while Leeds should see off the Wigan challenge, they must not underestimate them.
Will a second French side be awarded a place in Super League next year? Boots 'n' All investigates.
Boots 'n' All crosses the Channel to assess Catalans Dragons' bid for a Super League spot in 2009.
Stevo says that St Helens will be too strong for Harlequins - and keep the pressure on leaders Leeds.
Phil Clarke says RFL chiefs are right to scrap 'Great Britain' and celebrate the home nations.