Wildcats' licence – for the 2009 to 2011 seasons – was not granted on the basis of a move to a new stadium in or by 2012.

It was always understood that Wildcats would remain at Belle Vue for the next three years, which is the length of the franchise they were awarded two months ago.

Wildcats' short-term future is secure, but looking further ahead, things are grim indeed for the Wakefield club following the collapse of their proposed move to a new stadium at Thornes Park, in the city.

Last week, a feasibility study, commissioned by the local authority, reported that there was little chance of the community stadium being delivered by 2012 and for a budget of less than £60m.

Wakefield Council, who were to fund the scheme, are now set to pull the plug.

That leaves Wildcats without even a site for a proposed new stadium, with less than three years to get the ground built and ready for occupancy.

Belle Vue isn't a fit venue to stage Super League matches. Though the pitch itself is excellent, the stadium is years out of date and facilities for players and spectators alike are poor.

Wildcats have got away with it once – based on an improving playing record and the excellent work the club has been doing over the last couple of seasons to increase their fan base – but that won't happen again. Without the very real prospect of a move to a modern stadium, Wildcats won't be granted a licence in three years' time.

The situation could not be more serious. The RFL are already seeking talks with Wildcats officials to clarify the situation and the club say they intend to continue working with the council in a bid to find an alternative site.

The Thornes Park project will be officially killed off at a council meeting later this month, when councillors will also discuss Castleford Tigers' proposed new stadium near the Xscape leisure complex, just off the M62 at Glasshoughton.

The cost of that development – which already has outline planning permission – is being met by private investors, the club and developers Waystone.

But council input is being sought and that could hold the key to Wildcats' hopes of a move away from Belle Vue.

From the start, the idea of two new, multi-million pound stadiums being built in the same district has seemed ridiculous and unnecessary.

This column has, over the past couple of years, frequently highlighted the advantages of the two rival clubs sharing one facility.

And events over the last week have surely made that more likely.

Tigers want Wakefield Council to help with the cost of their new stadium, the local authority remain keen to find a new home for Wildcats.

Put two and two together and you come up with a proposal by the local authority to fund the Glasshoughton project on the condition it is used by both clubs.

That hasn't been muted officially yet, but it's certainly what many fans – of both clubs – expect to happen.

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BRADFORD BULLS were victim of possibly the worst video refereeing decision of all time in last weekend's play-off defeat by Wigan Warriors.

Chris Nero touched down after Semi Tadulala had palmed Paul Deacon's cross-kick backwards.

Video official Phil Bentham disallowed the try for an alleged knock-on, which existed in his imagination only.

Whether Bulls would have gone on to win the game is a matter of conjecture, but the decision was crucial in one of the most important matches of the season so far.

The RFL are apparently considering introducing video refs at all Super League games, not just those which are televised live by Sky.

That will, it is estimated, cost upwards of £250,000 a season.

If video referees are going to get decisions as badly wrong as the one last weekend, the RFL and clubs would be better off spending the money on something more useful.