If the league were forced to merge the North East and Yorkshire divisions into a single super‑conference, would the traditional county rivalries survive, or would the competition become a homogenised, commercial spectacle that erodes local identity?
They would have to merge with Durham and Northumberland too. Then you'd have to have divisions ...then you end up back where you started.
Although rivalries will prevail regardless of leagues.
If we had a Yorkshire Premiership, everything below the National Leagues being controlled by the county
Yorkshire Prem
1. Hull
2. Ilkley
3. Driffield
4. Sandal
5. Middlesbrough
6. York
7. Cleckheaton
8. North Ribblesdale
9. Scarborough
10. Pocklington
11. Old Brods
12. Morley
13. Selby
14. Moortown
Yorkshire Champ
1. Malton & Norton
2. Bradford Salem
3. Pontefract
4. Wetherby
5. Old Crocs
6. Donny Phoenix
7. Wath
8. Dinnington
9. Goole
10. Yarnbury
11. West Leeds
12. Keighley
13. Wensleydale
14. Old Rish
Yorkshire 1
1. Harrogate Pythons
2. Hullensians
3. Beverley
4. Leo's
5. Old Otliensians
6. Bridlington
7. Roundhegians
8. Huddersfield LH
9. Ripon
10. Sheffield 2s
11. Ionians 2s
12. Wharfedale 2s
13. Sandal 2s
14. Driffield 2s
Obviously could keep going, but it starts to look a lot more appealing on many levels
Gets my vote
👏👏👏👏
I've long advocated flattening the structure
Looks a lot better than what we have and makes common sense, therefore my prediction not a cat in hells chance of the powers that be going for it.
Gets my vote too. Differ lid for President! ;)
And me
We have all been sent down the river by our county chairman, who unbelievably has NO association with any Yorkshire club, other than Plymouth Albion!!!! And a certain forum member from Old Rishworthians. We were promised 14 team counties leagues that virtually every club voted for and yet the "Powers that be, "Connell and Morgan" have concocted between themselves the new "Set up" that is in direct contravention of what the clubs voted for.
I can say with all honesty that we at Ribb voted against Lower XVs going into the leagues, but did state that if the vote went against our wishes we would consider our position as we lost seven home games in the merit table this season with teams not willing to travel to us. Therefore our vote was against lower XVs inclusion. How then can the powers that be say that 36 clubs who will now be included in the league structure voted for it when we DEFINATELY didnt. I am a simple Ribb man but the whole thing to me stinks of lies and corruption.
Maybe we can call an EGM and ask the people who have changed the face of Yorkshire Rugby that IMHO will see the demise of struggling clubs close to bigger clubs (Stocksbridge, Barnsley, near Sheffield as an example). We have already lost Knottingley from the league structure next season. How many more will follow in the next ten years?????
I did ask the county office to see the voting slips but was told it was a "Secret Balllot" and as such I could not see the results. It was IMHO never communicated as a "Secret Ballot" and as such I firmly believe we have been well and truly hoodwinked by the aforementioned two gentlemen (I use that term very loosely).
Thoughts please.
Where have these proposals been published ?
Seems like common sense to me. Dont hold our collective breaths, BUT, they did do it in Lancs/Cheshire and its still going strong.