WITH only three weeks to go before our much-anticipated clash on Boxing Day against our friends and rivals at York City Knights, I was thinking about whether the Championship clubs had got our season placed at the right time.

Obviously most sports have a defined season, but the recent disregard for Championship and League One by the RFL and, more importantly Super League, has reminded me that not being joined up works both ways.

It is obvious to anyone that Super League are trying to steer their own ship completely and as the rule change shambles has regrettably demonstrated, the RFL board are at risk or appearing as bystanders, doing a magnificent impression of being in office, but not actually in power.

Therefore Championship clubs should also set about doing what is in their best interests. You will see what happens when anarchy sets in.

It is very interesting, with the professional leagues now completed and the international season now behind us, that there is still a very real appetite for live rugby league action.

Focus and attention is now being placed on England Academy versus the Australian Schoolboys.

It got me pondering whether the Championship season would be better off actually starting earlier on Boxing Day and having some clear space between it and the start of Super League.

It may not be fashionable for some to promote those clubs outside the Super League, but I have nothing but respect for the hardworking conscientious characters who turn up year after year to keep the rugby league flag flying in the towns and cities across the land.

What could be better than the non-Super League clubs starting in December and playing through?

It would keep our sport visible for longer and position the Championship in its own space.

Great holiday crowds on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day would give the Championship champions even longer to prepare for their promotion to Super League.

Speaking of the latter there was a very interesting and I my say revealing article by Hull owner Adam Pearson this week in which he lifted the curtain a little on some of the discontent within the Super League.

Apparently there is some unhappiness that London Broncos have been promoted with it “not setting the pulses racing”.

Of course the real but silent sub text behind this grievance is that had ante post favourites Toronto been promoted all of the Super League clubs would have not got a financial boost given the Wolfpack wouldn’t have received a penny.

Yes that’s right, the share no longer needed to pay Widnes would have been allocated around the other 11 clubs, not the whole game.

That would have been a windfall to each Super League club of around £150,000 each.

No wonder the Broncos have been made to feel as welcome as a fox in a henhouse.

The other issue, is that even clubs who understand that the sport needs a strong London in the elite league, do not believe it is delivered by the current Broncos set-up.

London Broncos owner David Hughes deserves a gold statue for his vision and mind boggling financial contribution to the rugby league landscape, and his tireless efforts in London.

The other cause for concern seems to be Salford, who minus their enigmatic former owner Marwan Koukash are apparently ringing alarm bells.

I do hope that Andrew Rosler and his team, can navigate through the crocodile-infested waters to safety.

If they do succumb to insolvency the RFL have draconian rules as we, at the Bulls well know.

Whether the current board have the conviction to actually apply their own rules is open to much conjecture.

Regrettably even very worthwhile, positive initiatives like the Catalans taking a Super League game to Barcelona get lost a little against the unstable backdrop.

On this game, which is destined for Camp Nou, you have to hope that it will be a success.

Wigan supporters have been asked to dip into their pockets enormously recently with home league games taken to Australia and London in recent years, but given this is an away game that would otherwise be scheduled for Perpignan, this seems far more reasonable. Great initiative worthy of applause.

It was nice to see England coach and Bulls friend Wayne Bennett finally get his future sorted out.

The on/off switch with South Sydney has been an utter shambles of epic proportions, which has done no credit on either clubs administrators.

As it transpired, master coach Bennett eventually got 'sacked' so his undertakings to his players was not broken and he could leave reputation broadly intact, and I am sure given his new club is the current home for three Bulls products, the England team will benefit from his astute management.

In our own backyard, momentum shifts up a gear in the pre-season stakes, with plenty happening on and off the field.

I see exhausted players everywhere as a result of a much tougher off-season campaign – the toughest since my arrival.

The bar has definitely risen, along with our expectations.

John Kear has made it plain to everyone in the squad, that making the playing team each week, will be a tough challenge as we have such great depth now in every position.

No-one is guaranteed a starting shirt, and they will all have to beat off intense competition from within the playing group.

Off the field the Bulls and our brand new kit partners Kappa, launch our playing strip for 2019 at The Broadway this Monday, starting from 4pm.

Our special guests include X-Factor star Danny Tetley, new signings Jake Webster, Jy Hitchcox, and James Green along with Sam Hallas. Fantastic prizes and giveaways are on offer so get along to support your team. Bullman and Bullboy will be there to keep the kids entertained as well.

Finally, to help the Christmas budget, the club has today launched the Bulls Ezi Membership Pass, a great affordable present.

Jump online to get yours, bradfordbulls.co.uk also available in store. The Bulls Ezi Membership Pass has a much lower upfront payment, and then pay as you go only for home League games you attend. Available for adults, concessions and juniors.