Just back from Tottenham. Superb state of the arts stadium, but still disappointed it wasn't at Wembley, and hope the final returns "home" next year.
Went with the Leythers on one of their coaches, and top fans they all were!
Bed now, as been up since 5.00am!
Spelly.
That would mean another date change though.
Last weekend in May at Wembley has been Football League Play Off Finals for over 30 years.
We could have it on the second weekend in May, which it was for years before they changed it.
With regards as to wether you would get a bigger crowd playing it in the north, I’m not sure you would. I think the competition isn’t as popular now, as most fans seem to watch the Grand Final, perhaps because that gets the most publicity, because Sky advertise and promote it all season, and the BBC don’t do that with the challenge cup, especially as they only show the rounds when SL clubs come in, the earlier ones tend to be on I Player. And any other publicity for it is on the SL show which is on at the peak viewing time of 11-45 pm.🙄
I was really disappointed in another CC Final with a shockingly low attendance Spelly. This is one of 2 showpiece events for domestic RL. It can't be a good look for RL in this country when someone new to the sport tunes in to watch this final and sees thousands of empty seats ? I've said it before and I'll say it again: The CC Final should be moved away from the capital because the venue, whether it's Wembley or a 62,850 football stadium is way too big. Times change and it's time the CC Final was played in the north where there is genuine interest in the game and where there is even a remote chance of a decent crowd.
I agree that the empty seats don't look good, and I was talking to a Leyther on the way home, who had similar views to yours, but........
Would moving it up here help?
We can normally fill-ish OT for the GF (last year was an exception, as many Catalans fans, couldn't afford the expense of the trip) but.........
Where would you hold CC Cup Final, if you were the decision maker?
Another final at OT? The Etihad? Anfield? Goodison? All this side of the hills though, so would the Yorkies whinge?
Where else is a 50,000+ capacity stadium up here? St James' Park? But.......
"Magic" is there, so would fans fancy heading to the north east twice in the same campaign? It's not as far as the "Smoke" but it's still a fair distance.
A confession here, coz................
Wembley lover that I unashamedly am, and coz of the fact the number of empty seats (again) disappointed me, I was actually thinking of using my page in the Swinton programme to gauge people's feelings about where the showpiece should be staged, so...............
With what you've posted here, I will do that very thing!
My notes for the 'Ornits game in a couple of weeks are already done, and are with the programme compiler, as they're about the sponsored walk on that day www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/john-spellman but......
The article will be there for all to see, when he host Donny in July.
Would I swallow my selfish pride, if people thought moving it to the heartlands would help? Of course, I would, coz I want the best for the game I've had a love affair with for six decades!
How's that for an honest answer mate?
Spelly.
I said it years ago.......The RL own Odsal, alongside sport England and Bradford LC they should look for investment and develop the ground
Host all the major finals there, test matches etc, develop it as a center of excellence for RL for all age groups and start bringing RL spectators money back into the game
The FA, Cricket, RU etc all have a home base, we do not, its location is central to the RL heartlands
It just needs someone who gets paid a fortune at the RL or SL to have a bit of foresight and put money back into the game instead of executives pockets
No chance of that happening. It would cost hundreds of millions to get a 50K stadium. It's a massive ask. The new North & South stands at Headingley cost £40mill pre-Covid. They were just replacing old for new with a large percentage of the South a standing terrace.
Rent the Etihad for the CC, and send the GF to London (Spurs, Emirates or WHU).
Paulie xx
We could have it on the second weekend in May, which it was for years before they changed it.
With regards as to wether you would get a bigger crowd playing it in the north, I’m not sure you would. I think the competition isn’t as popular now, as most fans seem to watch the Grand Final, perhaps because that gets the most publicity, because Sky advertise and promote it all season, and the BBC don’t do that with the challenge cup, especially as they only show the rounds when SL clubs come in, the earlier ones tend to be on I Player. And any other publicity for it is on the SL show which is on at the peak viewing time of 11-45 pm.🙄
2nd weekend in May is usually when the FA Cup Final is played, so that's a non starter.
We could have it on the second weekend in May, which it was for years before they changed it.
With regards as to wether you would get a bigger crowd playing it in the north, I’m not sure you would. I think the competition isn’t as popular now, as most fans seem to watch the Grand Final, perhaps because that gets the most publicity, because Sky advertise and promote it all season, and the BBC don’t do that with the challenge cup, especially as they only show the rounds when SL clubs come in, the earlier ones tend to be on I Player. And any other publicity for it is on the SL show which is on at the peak viewing time of 11-45 pm.🙄
The Challenge Cup is in serious decline at the moment (as is the whole British game in general, unfortunately...)
Wigan held their homecoming this evening on the car park of Robin Park Stadium, attended by about 600 people.
Their homecomings at Central Park back during their 8 in a row heyday used to attract more than 10,000.
Not sure what can be done to stop this terminal rot.
I certainly don't think moving the Cup Final North would improve matters, if I'm being honest, I think it would actually sound the death knell for the competition.
If you look at the attendances for the last 10 years or so, they weren't that bad until Catalans made the Final and then the pandemic happened. There were still high 70ks and 80ks up until 3 years ago.
I don't think the Final should be in May, it should be closer to the business end of the season.
I do like the idea of a RL stadium, the Odsal conversion sounds great. Will never happen though, too expensive.
I'm not hung up on staying at Wembley, maybe a tour of Northern football grounds would be preferable, Anfield, Etihad, St James, OT....
I think a lot of fans enjoy a day/weekend down in London watching the cup final. I think they feel it’s a bit different than just going to a football ground in the north, and then coming home again.
It is seeded to within an inch of it's life. Most teams don't care until the semi finals. There is 0 chance of a real underdog, or even a lower team facing a big team these days. It's all fairly predictable in terms of line ups.
It doesn't come as part of the season ticket (Rightfully so IMO), but then most fans sack it off as well. There isn't the glamour of it any more, and whilst winning it is great still there really isn't the same feel to it as there was maybe even 20 years ago.
A sad state of affairs