Cornwall RLFC: League One side folds due to finance issues - BBC Sport

Cornwall RLFC: League One side folds due to finance issues - BBC Sport

It was inevitable unfortunately. 
If SL clubs can't make the numbers, how would Cornwall.


It's a shame.

Terrible news for them and British Rugby League, as we need to spread outside the M62 corridor

Rugby league has existed in the hotbed of the M62 corridor for well over 100 years.
I just don't get this obsession to expand.

Because the sport in M62 corridor is nir financially sound and if we can expand to other areas successfully it brings in more players, more supporters and more income.

Sad but inevitable really. 

Hadn't been able to log in since the site migration but I couldn't resist getting it sorted once I saw a bit of expansion chat pop up!

Poptart has hit the nail on the head really - greater geographical spread leads to more exposure which leads to greater commercial investment which leads to richer competitions, bigger sponsorships, more interest in internationals, bigger broadcasting deals, and ultimately more stable clubs across the board.


However, 20 years (and more) shows 'new' clubs rarely grow without foundations; schools comps and a healthy amateur scene. There was none of that in Cornwall, unlike South Wales Scorpions or London Skolars.


I feel for the players who have relocated their lives there, and also for the stronger clubs in League One who are now playing in a bit of a grey league. 


I'd really like to see a slightly smaller, stronger SL, full of 'Grade A clubs'. Then a 13-team Championship East (right now the Yorkshire clubs plus Newcastle) and 12-team Championship West (Lancashire and Cumbrian clubs plus Hurricanes) underneath it, with detailed minimum standards for new franchises, not too dissimilar to NRL > Queensland Cup + NSW Cup. They all play each other twice, then top 6 of each league play off.


Then amateur leagues underneath that who would require minimum standards to enter the Championship.