Stevo calls for these clubs to be merged under radical name

Rugby league is set for big change under IMG as they look to grow the sport.

Former Sky Sports commentator Mike ‘Stevo’ Stephenson has suggested as part of this Cumbrian teams should merge together to create a team such as Cumbria Cobras to create a hotbed for rugby league and a successful side thriving off the talent produced in that area.

“I can remember years and years ago saying ‘look how many great players have been produced in Cumbria’,” Stevo said on the Eddie and Stevo podcast.

“Now let’s say the Cumbria Cobras and Barrow, Workington and Whitehaven join. I know everybody will be saying ‘oh, he’s on it again’, but that’s the only way to get to the future.

“Can you imagine anyone who lives up in Cumbria going down to Wembley to see Cumbria Cobras or Cheetahs or whatever you’d call them.

“Everybody loves success, forget about the past. That’s what had to happen in Australia and that’s what they’ve done.”

However, Eddie Hemmings wasn’t convinced that this would yield the success Stevo thinks: “I understand that but just by merging clubs in Cumbria isn’t necessarily going to lead to the Holy Grail that you’re talking about.”

Mergers were of course suggested back in 1996 when Super League was formed.

It is interesting that these same debates are happening now.