Leigh Anger At Super League Snub

Rugby league club Leigh Centurions have hit back at the decision by the Rugby Football League not to award them a Super League licence.

Leigh have slammed the RFL’s decision to hand a place in the newly expanded Super League to Welsh club the Celtic Crusaders stating the decision was a ‘geographic’ one as opposed to based on sporting success.

The Super League will now consist of 14 teams with Celtic and Salford City Reds joining the existing 12 clubs in the top-flight with no promotion or relegation system.

‘The decision makers should hang their heads in shame,’ said chief executive Allan Rowley.

‘We now have a team that fielded 10 overseas players against us, because they are classed as a development team, and are now in our elite competition which is a complete contradiction of terms and we feel this decision is purely a geographical one.
 
‘We know that there is no system for appealing but we are definitely going to ask the RFL how Celtic ticked more boxes than us we owe that to the public of Leigh.’

RFL chief Richard Lewis insists the 14 clubs awarded licences ‘must deliver’, stating: ‘It’s absolutely not a closed shop – the pressure’s on those 14 more than ever.

‘Clubs given licences must deliver, in the knowledge those clubs that missed out are waiting in the wings. There was a real danger, without question, that those clubs already in the Super League would miss out.

‘They were pushed very, very hard to answer some searching questions on their plans and on what they can deliver in the next three years.

‘But the point is that National League clubs now know what they have to do. Forcing every club to plan, to put those plans in black and white and make commitments, has been a healthy process and ensures those in the Super League cannot afford to relax.’

Lewis also defended the decision to go with the Crusaders commenting: ‘Market research suggests that we have a lot of support for rugby league and the Super League in Wales.

‘It’s a calculated risk to go with Crusaders. They put together a good application and convinced us they can make a real success of being a Super League club. Look at the Catalans Dragons – they have been a massive success story. They’ve gone from bottom of the table in their first year – when they would’ve been relegated had it not been for licensing back then – and now they’re third in the table, have sell out crowds every week and are a top side.

‘With that in mind, Celtic Crusaders might, too, surprise everybody. We’re confident about them even though it’s a big step up. However they, just like the other 13 clubs, now have to deliver.

‘The clubs who missed out will already be thinking about their next licensing agreements and, with National League clubs guaranteed a chance of applying in 2011, the 14 Super League clubs know they are under pressure.’