Bobble Goulding blueprint for superleague

[oval balls]

Goulding’s 13-team Super League would look like this: Newcastle, Cumbria, one Hull team, West Yorkshire, Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, London, Catalans, Toulouse, Toronto and one of Ottawa, New York, Cardiff, Dublin, Edinburgh or UAE.

That means Goulding would see teams like Wigan, Salford, Leigh and Warrington merge to become Manchester, with St Helens and Widnes essentially rebranding to Liverpool.

Castleford, Wakefield, Huddersfield and Featherstone would merge and Hull FC and Hull KR would become one.
I personally wouldn’t want this nor would any rugby league supporter following their town club’s fortunes
Will be an interesting debate amongst supporters

[Firestarter]

If this ridiculous plan did work ,and we lost our name i,for one would never be attending a game again....... change from wigan to manchester....... never heard as much s%#+e spouted in rugby league history

[Wigan_forever1985]

As a whole its a terrible idea - however there are elements i dont mind

I think a Liverpool and Manchester team (in name) would help exposure

[Firestarter]

As a whole its a terrible idea - however there are elements i dont mind

I think a Liverpool and Manchester team (in name) would help exposure

No doubt.... as long as theres a wigan

[shaunedwardsfanclub]

As a whole its a terrible idea - however there are elements i dont mind

I think a Liverpool and Manchester team (in name) would help exposure

That's what Koukash wanted!

[old hooker]

What a load of shite, it will never happen thank heaven.

[SJ]

Elegantly expressed O. H

[morley pie eater]

Totally agree with all the above re Goulding's idea and the fact it'll never happen.

When former players come out with this kind of stuff it's about crebating controversy to earn them a few quid. Ditto Phil Clarke - I'm sure Sky put him there just to be controversial at times. The difference between the two of them is that one has something between his ears.

Fwiw, my view of the future is back to franchising, with:

> 3 year protection against relegation for promoted teams.

> Minimum standards for teams moving into SL, focused mainly on youth development and financial sustainability.

> Initially a 10 team SL until the pool of quality players is big enough. Play each other 3 times (Inc Magic) to give 27 games a season.

> Trial for reduction to 12 a side to both tip the balance to more open play and reduce costs.

It's for you to decide if I'm a Goulding or a Clarke....or even Gary Hetherington

[nathan_rugby]

Goulding’s 13-team Super League would look like this: Newcastle, Cumbria, one Hull team, West Yorkshire, Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, London, Catalans, Toulouse, Toronto and one of Ottawa, New York, Cardiff, Dublin, Edinburgh or UAE.

That means Goulding would see teams like Wigan, Salford, Leigh and Warrington merge to become Manchester, with St Helens and Widnes essentially rebranding to Liverpool.

Castleford, Wakefield, Huddersfield and Featherstone would merge and Hull FC and Hull KR would become one.
I personally wouldn’t want this nor would any rugby league supporter following their town club’s fortunes
Will be an interesting debate amongst supporters

It won't because its flawed in so many ways it is a clear non starter.

[jaws1]

Maurice Lindsay came back with this years ago the supporters were up in arms then in theory it was good on paper but from a fans point of view it was not on.The merging of .Oldham, Rochdale, Swinton and Salford to become Manchester. Whitehaven Workington and Barrow to become Cumbria. Featherstone Wakefield and Castleford to become Calderdale .He even said Wigan and Saints to merge
Would have liked the Cumbria clubs to merge as I think there is a hot bed for RL up there.
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/how ... 15884.html