Hamilton welcomes league shake-up

ROUGHYEDS chief executive Chris Hamilton isn’t surprised in the slightest about the RFL’s decision to grant Super League places to Salford and Celtic Crusaders.

The two National League One sides will now move up to join the existing 12 top-flight sides after all were granted three-year licenses, starting from the 2009 season, after the RFL rejected applications from Leigh, Halifax, Featherstone and Toulouse and Widnes.

“I have said all along that I thought those two would get in and so it was not unexpected to me,” said Mr Hamilton.

“Salford had a compelling case as they have been in Super League recently and have kept the structures intact. With the new ground on the horizon as well they were always the big favourites to get in.

“The gamble is Celtic Crusaders. They have risen through the ranks very quickly and whether they can get the crowds in remains to be seen, but they have got a very wealthy backer in Leighton Samuel and they now have three years in which to establish themselves in Super League.”

The verdict means that the National Leagues will be equalised to 10 teams in each division from next season. Three sides will be promoted from NL2 with one dropping down from NL1, increasing the Roughyeds’ hopes of going up.

“One or two clubs in National League One were trying to do away with relegation but fortunately that didn’t happen,” said Mr Hamilton. “We have seen that clubs at the top end of National League Two are more than capable of holding their own against sides from the division above.

“Hopefully both competitions (Super League and the National Leagues) can now focus on making their own brand strong.”

The club is due to receive the results of knee scans on Adam Robinson and Jason Boults today.

Injured hooker Simeon Hoyle has begun running in training this week, albeit only in straight lines, while stand-off Neil Roden has been able to resume bicycle work.

At this stage it is too early to tell if either will be ready to face Keighley at Boundary Park this weekend.