As the Super League license system draws ever closer, clubs continue to strive to put themselves in the best position to be in the top flight come 2009. But what about teams left in the National Leagues?

A lot has been made of the so called franchise applications set to be made by aspiring clubs in the next 12 months. But what hasn’t been discussed is the game under Super League level, and the clubs who aren’t successful in getting a franchise, or those clubs who won’t be applying.

A fine example of a club in the National Leagues that fits into this category is Featherstone Rovers. With the end of season play-offs beginning this weekend, Rovers have a week off, having finished in 2nd place in National League 2. They will face Barrow for a place in the Grand Final next weekend, with the eventual Grand Final winner earning promotion to National League 1 for next season.

But what about the season after that? Well it seems that people at clubs around the league are scratching their heads and asking the same question. That was certainly the impression given when we interviewed Andrew McNeil from the club.

Are Featherstone confident ahead of the NL2 play-offs?
Why wouldn’t we be? For a large part of the season we have held top spot in the table and had the best point’s difference in the league. As a part time team our fitness levels have shown against most opposition and after a great performance in the Northern Rail cup against League One opposition I think we could not only gain promotion but compete with a good proportion of the current teams in NL1.

You have been locked in a battle with Celtic Crusaders for top spot all season, how do you think they are shaping up for a potential tilt at a Super League franchise in 2009?
If both Celtic and Featherstone are promoted this season then I would suggest we are both in very similar positions. Featherstone has a great tradition and a much bigger fan base to generate income from; perhaps more importantly we also have a much better location and history that will help in attracting the kind of players needed to bridge the gap from NL1 to Super League.

What are your thoughts on the franchise system?
It isn’t something I know a great deal about. I know that everyone I have spoken to is keen to keep Promotion and Relegation, you only have to refer back to the last league fixture of 2006 at Wakefield to realise what could go missing from the game!

The bigger risk is perhaps an even greater gap developing between the Super League and National Leagues and what this could lead to in the future, Featherstone amongst others have played their part in developing talented youngsters that have gone on to play for the country. If the gap broadens and we lose teams like Featherstone Rovers where will these youngsters come from? I think the National League clubs contribute a tremendous amount of advertising for the game and the survival of the sport in schools and amateur levels bridging the gap of amateur status and super league. If youngsters cannot see a path to the highest level from their school team will they choose to take part in alternative sports?

What do you think the franchise system will mean for National League clubs?
Again, not being fully up to speed on the topic it is a little hard to comment. What I do believe is that there is an urgent requirement to raise the profile of the National Leagues. I use Football as an example, whilst promotion and relegation remains in the sport the old League Two was promoted to ‘The Championship’ on the arrival of the premier league, something I think could be replicated in Rugby League. I also think it is imperative that the salary caps in the National Leagues are raised to assist those clubs who have the infrastructure to generate income and allow them to compete in competitions like the Challenge Cup even if not in the same regular league. Again going back to football, there is always a great cup upset each season, is there such a thing in Rugby League anymore? A cup upset generates a media story and therefore automatically creates an interest in the sport in lower levels. I also find it a little strange that Sky TV show a few fixtures from NL2 but choose not to publish the result or league table on their Sky Sports News programmes, there is interest in the NL2 and average gates have increased this year yet there remains a lack of publicity on the biggest sporting portal of all.

Do Featherstone have any plans regarding obtaining a franchise in the future?
As I mentioned before, Featherstone have a great deal of ambition despite some setbacks in recent years. I would hope that Featherstone make an application, if nothing else but to understand what improvements we need to make. The club ticks a lot of the box’s required and with the extra revenue provided from Sky TV money wouldn’t be a great deal away from being able to spend competitively in the Salary Cap available to Super League clubs.

The club was involved in a unique marketing deal earlier this season with the “Chris Moyles Stadium” re-brand – who was the brains behind this, and what benefits has it brought the club?
Featherstone Rovers have pioneered a number of new initiatives over the years; I think we were the first club to have a shirt sponsor! I don’t think we will be last to have a celebrity ground name!

The idea came about from discussion on creating revenue from the naming rights to the stadium. My co-director suggested using the celebrity Chris Moyles, thinking it may help in the future to assist us in attracting leading brands to the club. It doesn’t get much bigger than Chris Moyles and you don’t get much bigger than brands like JVC and Daewoo Electronics who we have attracted over the last few months. I think that we have not only benefited Featherstone but the whole of Rugby League, initially there was a little mocking from some quarters but I know now that whenever you mention Featherstone Rovers to someone they instantly reply, that’s the Chris Moyles club isn’t it?! If it has raised the profile of Featherstone then it must have raised the profile of the game as well. Chris has agreed to continue his support for next season and really enjoys his visit to the club. His family are quite local and they too enjoy regular visits on match days.

Should Rovers get promoted to NL1 next season, what will be the short and long term aims of the club?
In my opinion, the short term aim will be stability and maintaining NL1 status. The club has completed a tremendous amount of work to improve communications and revenue generation to support life above NL2. Long term we want to be back in the top league and causing as many upsets as we did in the past!

Article by James Gordon