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Rugby League

Celtic and Salford earn Super League berths

22/07/2008

Celtic Crusaders and Salford City Reds are the two clubs who will join the existing 12 for the expanded Super League over the next three seasons, the Rugby Football League has announced.

In an announcement at RFL headquarters this morning, the two clubs were told they would be joining the current 12 in the 14-team Super League in the 2009, 2010 and 2011 seasons.

The success of the applications of Celtic Crusaders and Salford, as well as the 12 currently in Super League, means the other five clubs will be left disappointed.

Halifax, Featherstone Rovers, Widnes Vikings, Leigh Centurions and Toulouse all submitted bids but have been passed over.

The ruling means Super League will have a representative from Wales for the first time in its history with the Brigend-based Crusaders outfit.

And chief executive David Thompson described the successful attainment of a licence as "a remarkable achievement for a club that did not exist three years ago".

"It is testament to the hard work, determination and belief of the people that have been associated with the club during this time," he added.

"I would like to thank everybody involved."

Salford have apparently earned the nod over equally strong bids from Widnes Vikings and Leigh Centurions because of their positioning in England's second-largest conurbation - the cities of Salford and Manchester.

"This is a historic day for rugby league and we are once again being innovative and leading the way in British sport by implementing a licensing system that will improve standards both on and off the field in the elite competition," explained RFL executive chairman Richard Lewis.

"We believe licensing has already served to galvanise the sport, stimulating clubs into addressing the issues of facility improvements, spectator comfort and the production of more players.

"Fundamentally, and at its heart, licensing promotes improvement in standards across the board. It creates stability and yet crucially keeps open the route into Super League for all aspiring clubs who can demonstrate the required standard.

"It is a better and fairer way of a club entering engage Super League."

The new system means clubs will be guaranteed top-flight status for three seasons at a time, which the RFL hopes will encourage teams to invest in their structure and roots rather than making short-term decisions to maintain their first-teams' status in the division.

"A three-year licence provides an environment where by clubs will be able to look long term, giving them a sounder base to invest off the field as well as on it," Lewis continued.

"This will lead to improvements in stadiums, training facilities and club management as well as the production of junior players who will be given greater opportunity to play first-team rugby."