Don't relegate from NL1 this season - Stokes
Last updated 12:44, Thursday, 19 June 2008
Whitehaven boss Ged Stokes is urging the RFL to scrap relegation from NL1 this season – to ensure it’s a quality competition next term.
The RFL this week confirmed that Super League would expand from 12 to 14 teams next year, with League One outfits Salford, Widnes and Celtic Crusaders leading the race for the additional places.
But Stokes, above, fears that if a further two clubs are relegated to League Two, the quality of rugby on show in NL1 will suffer next year.
“If two go down and two come up from NL2, we’ll have lost four quality teams out of NL1,” he said.
“I don’t think any competition can sustain that. They have to think about bringing two up and leaving the other NL1 clubs where they are.”
Relegation from the top-flight has been put on ice for three years, and Stokes believes the same rules should apply across Super League and the National Leagues.
If any top-echelon club is relegated in 2012, playing position is likely to be just one of several factors in the decision.
“I still believe in promotion and relegation in Super League, and it should be played for,” added Stokes. “But why should National League clubs have any different treatment to Super League?”
The Kiwi stressed that his comments were not driven by a concern for Haven’s position in NL1, as he does not believe the club will be threatened by the drop this season.
And he warned that there will be a glut of talent on the market if two League One clubs are relegated.
“A whole heap of players will be looking for new jobs,” he continued.
The relegation issue will not be resolved until after three-year Super League licences are awarded next month.
At present, clubs do not know how many, if any, will be relegated from League One next year.
Though it looks likely that at least two will be promoted from NL2. Gateshead Thunder currently lead the race from Barrow Raiders, who head Oldham by six points.
There are 6 scenarios on the RFL's website and they have been there for several months so I cannot understand how a coach of Ged Stokes standing doesn't know how the system is going to work.
If the RFL are to go for 14 teams in SL and the second French bid from Toulouse fails then that would mean that 2 clubs would be promoted to SL from NL1 leaving that league with 8 teams. One other team would be relegated from NL1 to NL2 leaving 7 teams. " teams would gain automatic promotion from NL2 to NL1 and a third NL2 would be promoted after a play-off between NL2 clubs placed 3rd to 8th in that league. This would then leave 10 teams in both the National Leagues.View all comments on this article
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Ged meens which out the 6 scenarios id say.
come hell or high heaven they want wales in the super league that is certain.
Could you ever see them shutting the doors on the prem league football i think not!!!
Posted by barry on 19 June 2008 kl. 17:25