By Martin Morgan

Last updated 16:05, Wednesday, 23 July 2008

WHITEHAVEN plan to push ahead with a Super League bid at the earliest opportunity in 2011, pledged chairman Gordon Grace.

• View more pictures...

Top performer: Leroy Joe was Haven’s star man in Saturday’s win over Celtic Crusaders

And he is confident the club will be able to put up a persuasive case for a top-flight set-up at the Recre from 2012.

Haven were not among 19 clubs who this week were in the running for three-year Super League licences from next season, as the Recre did not meet the requirements.

But Grace revealed that Haven are working hard to ensure the club does not miss out on the bidding process next time around.

“Cumbria needs a Super League side,” he said. “It’s our intention and ambition. If Celtic can get it, why can’t Cumbria? This is a heartland of rugby league.

“We would have to bring players in from outside, but there would also be an opportunity for our young players to stay at the club and develop.”

Salford and Celtic Crusaders, beaten home and away by Haven this year, joined the current 12 top-flight outfits in being awarded licences on Tuesday.

“National League One is a good standard, but if you want to see the stars you have to be in Super League,” added Grace, who acknowledged that competition for a Super League place will be tougher in the next bidding process as it will mean unseating a current top-flight outfit.

Widnes, who missed out this week, are likely to bid again, while Leigh are moving in to a new stadium for next season, Halifax are redeveloping the Shay and Toulouse are set to enter the National League in 2010, putting them in a prime position for another top-flight tilt.

Grace believes many aspects of Haven’s operation, including its coaching set-up, scholarship programme and lottery systems are already up to Super League standard.

Work is continuing on the plan to redevelop the Recre, while Ged Stokes’ team would also have to appear in a Grand Final to be considered for promotion.

“Ged will be putting his first team together next season, and after that we’ll be looking to the higher level,” the chairman said.

Haven are this week looking for a commercial manager on what is thought to be a generous package to generate new income and drive forward the club’s business plan.

Ideally candidates will have a track record in a similar role and in the first instance should apply to marketing director Mike Graham, at the Recre. The closing date is August 8.

Haven entertain Halifax on Sunday (3pm) fresh from last weekend’s superb victory over Celtic in Bridgend. They picked up no major injuries and are likely to field a similar squad against Fax, who beat the Cumbrians 38-14 last month in Yorkshire.

“I’m not sure we got it right at Halifax in terms of strategy, and we’ll go about it a little differently on Sunday,” Stokes said.

“They showed after the last game that they were very happy to beat us. That was an indication they were showing us a lot of respect.”

The home game against Sheffield has been brought forward by three days to Thursday, August 7, to be shown live on Sky Sports.

Some 200 free tickets for families of four are available at the Recre from today (Thursday).

Last week’s Pride of Five £100 winners were: G Johnson, Briscoe Mount, Egremont, with ticket number 1,873; F Newton, Muncaster Road, Richmond, 2,306; M Burns, Tangier Street, Whitehaven, 2,514; C McCulloch, Melbreak Close, Mirehouse, 2,382; D Walker, Victoria Road, Whitehaven, 40.