Last updated 11:39, Friday, 18 July 2008

STEVE McCormack has done a sound job with Widnes Vikings this season, but the ex-Haven coach could be forgiven if he suffers a few sleepless nights ahead of next Tuesday’s announcement on Super League licences.WHAT does it tell young British talent when Bradford Bulls are reported to be interested in Aussie veteran Steve Menzies for next season?

It’s widely expected that the current 12 top-flight clubs will be handed licences guaranteeing their Super League futures until the end of 2011.

And it’s looking increasingly like a fight between Widnes and Celtic Crusaders for the 14th and final licence, with Salford certain to return to the higher echelon.

On the eve of their visit to Whitehaven in April, I indicated that the Crusaders should be strongly considered for a licence this time around.

They went on to be hammered 44-16 at the Recre and a few factors have since caused me to think again. Perhaps, after all, they should be patient and work toward a stronger bid for 2012.

Don’t get me wrong. I remain a fervent backer of expanding Super League in to south Wales. But I want their bid to be built on strong foundations. Their current appeal is based largely on potential rather than huge achievement.

“Featherstone is a village, Halifax and Leigh are towns. Celtic Crusaders is a nation,” says the Western Mail.

I take the point. The problem is, Wales has not yet got behind the Crusaders. They attracted over 3,500 to Brewery Field for last month’s televised clash with Widnes.

But attendances for Sky Sports’ superb National League coverage are always larger that a club’s regular figures, boosted by ticket giveaways and promotions.

Only 1,336 saw their home win over Batley in late May. Their Northern Rail Cup semi-final against Salford pulled in 1,760.

I guarantee that if Haven had been hosting the City Reds in a last-four meeting, it would have attracted a larger crowd – and the west Cumbrians are not yet even close to making a top-flight bid.

Celtic have done remarkably well to be vying for the NL1 title in only their third year.

But their low crowd figures worry me. I had hoped they would have picked up by now.

In their dismal 2005 season, when relegated from Super League, Widnes averaged 6,794 in top-flight matches, at what’s now the terrifically-appointed Stobart Stadium.

The Vikings have a long history of achievement and boast the feel of a big club.

If Celtic lose out on Tuesday, I trust they take the news positively and pledge to come back bigger and bolder with another bid – hopefully with a larger fan base following three more solid years of achievement.

On a purely personal note, I hope it’s good news for Steve McCormack next week. He’s had more upsets over recent years than a coach deserves in a lifetime.

Yet he has bounced back after losing four consecutive NL1 Grand Finals, with Haven and then the Vikings.

But I suspect the RFL board will opt for Wales. Whatever the outcome, there will be some bitterly disappointed fans and officials on Tuesday morning.

What a decision to be forced to make. Rather them than me.

The international back-rower is undoubtedly one of the modern greats, scoring 171 tries in 16 years at the top.

His support play has always been exceptional and his work ethic’s second-to-none. The fact he can still make the grade in the NRL with Manly at 34 is testament to his quality.

But it’s not sending out a good message to our leading kids if a top club like Bradford is going half way round the world to sign the likes of Menzies.

Our Super League should be about more than offering an Aussie superstar one final payday before retirement.

The Bulls’ commitment to youth cannot be doubted.

Six of the current 22-strong England Under-18 party currently touring Australia are Bradford kids.

And of course, first-team boss Steve McNamara really went out of his way to court Wath Brow youngster James Donaldson, rated by many at the time of his signing as the leading under-16 in the country.

Menzies could no doubt prove valuable in helping develop the Bulls’ kids, including Donaldson. But such a signing simply sends out the wrong signals.

Martin Morgan