In the same season, with Nigel Wood as Rugby Football League chief executive, the clubs vote to end the licensing system and cut the competition from 14 to 12 teams for 2015.
Fast forward 11 years and history repeats itself. The controversial Wood is back in charge at the RFL, after a bloody coup led by the owners of Leigh Leopards, Leeds Rhinos and St Helens – as exclusively revealed by The i Paper in February – overthrew the board of the governing body in March.
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The RFL amends its articles of association to avoid Sport England’s questions over governance and appoints Wood. Included on his panel reviewing rugby league are several of Wood’s associates and former RFL employees.
The beneficiaries of a new 14-team Super League? Sources insist that Bradford, York and London, now owned by Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington, will be in, with struggling Salford Red Devils relegated and Toulouse Olympique XIII overlooked.
Salford Red Devils fans made their feelings clear in February (Photo: Getty)
But then on Monday 28 July came the official announcement like a lead balloon: “The 12 existing Betfred Super League clubs have today voted to extend the competition to 14 teams for the 2026 season, subject to conditions.”
But the kicker came in the next paragraph: “This would be done by combining the Club Grading System introduced to determine Super League membership as part of the sport’s long-term strategic partnership with IMG in 2022, with an independent panel to be chaired by Lord Jonathan Caine, who was recently elected as a member of the Rugby Football League Board, and the Strategic Review Sub-Committee.
Super League effectively confirmed that IMG’s grading will only be used for the first 12 teams – basically ensuring Salford will be kicked out – with an RFL panel to decide the remaining two spots.
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The kicker? According to several sources, Sky has not been consulted about this expansion, is displeased, and there is no guarantee they will offer more money to televise the sport in the future.
At the crux of the whole issue is money, power and control. Wood and his supporters now wield complete influence over UK rugby league and remain convinced that an expanded Super League will be a financial windfall.
The regurgitation of the same failed leaders and individuals, over and over again, shows that self-interest and self-righteousness reign supreme. The paradox of rugby league remains ever-true – yearning to be bigger than it is, but its M62 owners are unwilling to loosen their grip over the reins.
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