Simon Riley told Boots 'n' All that Featherstone Rovers have grand designs on a place in the Super League.
Rovers are looking to get a licence application in place
Simon Riley told
Boots 'n' All why Featherstone Rovers have grand designs on a place in the Super League.
The Yorkshire outfit will play in the Championship Grand Final this weekend and their progress means they have now met the criteria to proceed with a Super League licence application next time round should they so wish.
Ahead of the clash with Sheffield Eagles the club's Chief Executive told Boots 'n' All about their stadium development plans, which indicate that a bid for promotion isn't out of the question.
And with those plans in place, Riley believes an area that already boasts two top-flight teams in Castleford and Wakefield can cope with another.
Riley said: "We didn't apply for Super League because we knew we wouldn't meet the criteria. Our aim is to get everything right and get a bid in place so we do meet the criteria next time round.
"In order to do that we have acquired two stands from the former Scarborough Football Club that we are currently taking down piece by piece and we're going to transport back here for the Bigfellas Stadium in Featherstone and then rebuild them here at either end of the ground.
"I believe the area can sustain another Super League club. You'd expect me to say that, but I really do believe that.
"I'm a local guy to this area and I can remember when there was three clubs in the old First Division and it was brilliant, it was buzzing. That's what we want to get back in the place.
"We've got a great relationship with Castleford and Wakefield and I think they're as keen as we are to get those three clubs back up there at the highest level."
Glory
Featherstone suffered Grand Final heartache last year, but Riley believes coach Daryl Powell can lead the team to glory this time.
And he says everybody at the club is looking forward to the showdown with Sheffield.
"It's a huge game for everyone associated with the club, without a doubt," Riley added.
"Our intention is to go there and win. It's going to be a very tough game and Daryl's unbelievably determined.
"He got the accolade of Championship Coach of the Season for the second successive year, which is fully deserved. He's done a great job here, I'm trying to keep it quiet what a great job he's doing!
"We're all really thrilled and we want to go one better this year and win the Grand Final."
