Super League clubs have rethink and conclude big is beautiful

Chairmen joined Rugby Football League representatives in Bradford yesterday for a specially convened meeting primarily to discuss the financial state of the game with the subject of the league's make-up from 2012 also high on the agenda.

Super League was expanded from 12 clubs ahead of the 2009 season, when automatic promotion and relegation was scrapped and three-year licences were given to newcomers Celtic Crusaders and Salford.

The recent economic downturn prompted calls for an about-turn, the argument being that clubs would receive more central funding if the pot was split 12 ways instead of 14.

RFL chief executive Nigel Wood sparked a debate over the format of Super League at the season launch in London last month and fears about a drop in standard had been aired.

Many club chairmen were believed to be backing their coaches and players in favour of a smaller league. But that number has since dwindled with just three – understood to be Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, Bradford Bulls and Hull KR – yesterday expressing a desire for a 12-club format, the apparent urge for more fixtures and more revenue proving too tempting.

Leeds Rhinos' chief executive Gary Hetherington said: "It was a lengthy discussion but at the end of the day only three clubs showed a preference to revert back to 12 clubs against staying at 14.

"The decision (to have 14) was taken two years ago and the licence system is now in place.

"The game has been guilty of too many decisions of back-tracking in the past. We embarked on a course two years ago and we're part way through it."

An RFL spokesman confirmed: "It was discussed by the clubs and the clubs' agreement was to remain at 14."

The decision will be ratified when the Super League chairmen convene for their official scheduled meeting in Harrogate next month and will come as a relief to clubs in danger of failing to meet minimum standards.

However, with a Co-operative Championship club certain to be promoted in 2012, there will be no reprieve for one Super League outfit.

Castleford, Salford, St Helens and Wakefield have all been warned to follow up on their pledges to move to new stadia or face the consequences.

A decision on the next set of licences is due to be made in the summer of 2011 and so far three Championship clubs – Widnes, Barrow and Halifax – have earned the right to seek promotion.

Such is the desire to increase revenues the subject of re-introducing the Yorkshire and Lancashire Cup competitions was also discussed yesterday along with potentially moving the Magic Weekend fixtures to London in 2011 given the RFL's desire to seek more media exposure from the capital.