[url=http://www.code13rugbyleague.com/2012/08/24/northampton-rebels-withdraw-from-championship-1-entry/................. before kicking a ball in anger[/url

It could have been worse in that they could have started the season. That leaves the RFL looking for 2 new expansion teams now in National league1 instead of 1

From what I've heard in the past few hours that was NEVER GOING to happen. The RFL it's [size=150ALLEGED[/size have been exasperated in the lack of progress delivered in this now "mis-adventure" and fell very let down because Northampton was the first expansion "franchise" for Championship 1.

By all accounts it's the RFL that have withdrawn the "licence" not Northampton handing it back. Wakefield Trinity have been less than impressed as well.

Never mind.

The Rebels are dead, long live the Demons.

Meanwhile we end up with 8 teams in Championship 1 next season

There must be viable clubs to step up.

Warrington Wizards, Bramley Buffaloes have been kicking around the Conference for years, why don't they step up?

If they were a better option than Northampton, they should have got the pick first time, the whole idea is to give the best options longer to prepare, another total foook up

I agree, as would most RL fans I imagine

Most would agree that announcing you are bringing in 4 new clubs without actually having at least 4 clubs ready to step up is plain stupidity, they have compromised the Championship structure for next season

And in 2009 Crusaders got a licence and we know how that turned out.

Tunnel vision from the RFL and you hope they'd learn.

I want a strong RL structure of 3/4 divisions with clubs stepping up on merit

So isnt it time the idiots who keep making the same mistakes , along with lots of new ones got sacked?

Ah lets sack everyone, thats the answer.

If there were stronger clubs they would have stepped up. If SL teams are going bust what chance have the smaller clubs got.