Barrow chairman Steve Neale is looking for more detail when IMG hold their follow-up meeting with the clubs in a fortnight.
Neale also can see why Keighley have reacted as they did to the latest proposals from the RFL’s partners to reimagine the game.
“It’s historic with Keighley and I can understand that, even though it’s nearly 30 years ago. As a club they had done everything right and Cougarmania was in full flow. They won the League but were denied entry to Super League because of Paris St Germain being included.
“The wounds are still there after all this time so I can see why their chairman has reacted as he has.”
Neale, whose involvement at Barrow has turned the club into a force in the Championship, also points out that the Raiders have had their disappointments over promotion even more recently than Keighley.
“We had to outline our case for a place in the Championship just a couple of years ago and missed out to Newcastle. Now as things have played out we have proved ourselves a better club at that level than Newcastle,” he says.
As far as the plans for Super League and the rest under IMG proposals are concerned he just wants to see more detail.
“There has to be transparency, particularly in this grading system they have mentioned.
“As long as everyone knows exactly what they have to do, what boxes are to be ticked and they can work towards going from Category B to Category A I would accept that.
“What I don’t want is the RFL to be operating behind closed doors to make decisions that affect the current clubs.
“I know we are not ready for Super League at Barrow yet but I want to build steadily. It’s not an overnight fix. I know for instance that our ground isn’t ready, although we have improved areas. We are getting a lot of things right on and off the pitch but we still have a lot of work to do.
“At the end of the day I want to create a legacy at Barrow rugby league club which will last for ever.”
Neale, however, has already contacted the RFL imploring them not to initiate the IMG proposals for two-legged Challenge Cup-ties.
“That would be a disaster. The bigger clubs would get through every time. What we want is to create a bit of David and Goliath in the competition.
“It’s an opportunity for the smaller clubs to make a bit of money with a home tie against one of the Super League giants and for their fans to see them at first hand.
“We experienced that against Huddersfield this season and Whitehaven had a great day against St Helens despite a heavy home defeat.
“I would bring the Super League clubs into the competition at a round earlier. I felt so strongly about that suggestion that I have already sent them my thoughts.”
