To be fair, most of the people that I know who go regularly all plan to return once restrictions are lifted, if they aren't attending now. As said above, they just can't be bothered sitting there for hours before the game.
Also free coverage on the our league app or cheap coverage for non season ticket holders will have influence some people against going to the game who might otherwise have gone. Sadly there will be a small number of fans who probably won’t come back because of fear of the virus even after they have been vaccinated.
Because of the forced absence, people have found other things to do. For some its other activities such as running, cycling, golf (our golf club for example has seen a massive increase in membership).
The question is, how many will now go back to watch the games and how many have picked up a new hobby/pastime and prefer to do that rather than go to the match? It's a tricky one.
It’s death by a thousand cuts. You lose a couple of hundred here and a couple of hundred there .... Our core base pre-Covid was @ 2.5k. If we don’t make the play-offs (and can’t afford to improve squad for 2022) we will have less than 2k core. It’s a downward spiral and it will continue whilst the game is structured the way it is.
I like the idea of a centrally funded semi-professional game with Div 1, Div 2 and a Div 3 North and Div 3 South. 10 teams per division, play each other home and away and winner take all.
2 teams relegated from Div 1 and Div 2 with 2 teams promoted from Div 1 and one each promoted from Div 2 N and S.
Beef up the Challenge Cup - get a (non-media) sponsor and make it something worth winning.
Re-introduce proper representative football - Regional sides competition and internationals against France, Wales, Ireland and Scotland - a five nations tournament if you like and a chance to support your town, county and country, if you wish.
Silly me 😁
It is interesting that fans of the game are coming up with different suggestions to improve and promote rugby league. I would guess that these comments are reflected in the fans forum of other clubs - other than perhaps the top 4!!
The game is struggling and something needs to change and that is why there needs to be an independent Commission, comprising people who actually have an interest in and love the game and others with the expertise to promote the game, to look at all options to ensure the future viability of rugby league and potential for growth in the UK and internationally.
I think that's the biggest problem.
You asks fans of all clubs, and most will say the game is dying on its arse.
Ask a lot of people high in the RFL and they think it's a complete bed of roses.
Then there is all the constant meddling with the league formats. Whatever they do they should say this is the plan for the next X years (At least double figures) and stick to it so clubs can at least try and plan.
I know it’s an old song and anybody under the age of 50 will wonder what I’m talking about but Maurice Lindsay has an awful lot to answer for. Just about the worst thing that has happened to the game and a nasty, grudge bearing, little (add your own word ) who set the game on the road to ruin.
And, just to add to my earlier comment; the Vikings had a great win at Brat'fud last weekend but I have yet to speak to anyone about the game.
Does that sum up generally how little interest in RL there is in the town any more?
I used to be part of a group of fans who would watch the Chemics/Vikings home and away, good, bad or indifferent. It didn't matter. You just supported your team.
Now, other than the (very) odd game, none of us go any more, and it is no longer the first topic of conversation when we get together.
I realise that much of that set in before the pandemic, but replicate that lack of interest across the sport, and I suspect the game is in trouble.
You have a point DV, to some not being in SL is a turn off. To the old school SL has been a relatively short part of their supporting history. They (I) grew up supporting a struggling team and I still do .
If you follow the SL is everything line then the game dies, simple as that, with supporters begging for crumbs from a wealthy mans table. For me the game/club is the thing, no matter what division. Seeing youngsters making mistakes and correcting them is part of the interest. Seeing Gregory or the Hulmes, or Offiah as green horns becoming greats has to be part of it.
Add to the mix that the sport has been mis-managed since the inception of Super League, then you can see why the game is in deep trouble should you care to scratch ever so slightly beneath the surface.
For me, the game cannot afford expensive overseas players and coaches, nor can it continue to pretend to be something that it is not.
It is not football, nor rugby union, cricket or tennis. Indeed, nobody outside of he areas where the game is 'strongest' knows or even cares about RL.
It is a regional, part-time sport at best - which, incidentally, happens to be its strength and not its weakness.
And, if another 'expert' in the media tells me today's game is fantastic and needs to expand and be seen by everyone, then I am going to scream!
The game used to be exciting, full of honesty and integrity, but when our paymasters in the media cannot even be honest with the fans, then it really does deserve all the negativity it attracts.
And, just to add to my earlier comment; the Vikings had a great win at Brat’fud last weekend but I have yet to speak to anyone about the game. Does that sum up generally how little interest in RL there is in the town any more? I used to be part of a group of fans who would watch the Chemics/Vikings home and away, good, bad or indifferent. It didn’t matter. You just supported your team. Now, other than the (very) odd game, none of us go any more, and it is no longer the first topic of conversation when we get together. I realise that much of that set in before the pandemic, but replicate that lack of interest across the sport, and I suspect the game is in trouble.
Bang on Darth.
My memories of going to watch Widnes, in the early 60’s was of going with my dad, both grandads, two of my uncles and a cousin. We stood, looking down the pitch from Lowerhouse Lane end about two thirds of the way back to the corrugated sheeting to the left of the players tunnel / clubhouse. When we played at home there were regular family groups in their spots around us.
People fretted about how good the opposition were / how bad we’d been lately on the way to the match and argued about what had happened in the match on the way home. People talked about the games and looked forward to the next one.
Im parallel, my cousins played for our school teams - St Bede’s, St Patrick’s, St Marie’s and Simms Cross and used to regularly ‘play out’ with a rugby ball (rather than a soccer ball).
Sadly, from my perspective, those days are long gone - the lifestyle doesn’t exist anymore.
I said above that the game is falling away bit by bit and in it’s current state is dying. The interest is fading and the ‘fading’ is picking up pace.
The good thing is, as a game to play (and watch) Rugby League is fun. It will survive and I honestly think it can have a future - just not the way it is. In the meantime all we can do is (Covid permitting) is get down to the match, cheer them and then argue about 5he game on 5he way home.
Looking at comments from the RFL/SL etc and one mentioned the 'costs of large numbers of staff'. This has to be in the SL area where, as we know to our cost, empires have been built over the years. The logic was that more specialist staff (D coaches etc!) were essential to progress and had to be protected. That is the road to nowhere imo. Certainly a more polished professional approach was required but there has to be a limit to how much it costs.
Can we say that the game amongst the top clubs is better or more efficient or creative in the recent past? I think not. There are many 'old mates' employed doing tasks that were quite probably been shared by all in the past.
It is plain that certainly Wire has realised that common sense must be applied and a management revision is underway. Cuts to Sky income have to be reflected by an honest appraisal of club staffing levels at all clubs to maintain the teams and cut waste.
I totally agree that our game has to recognise its place in the world of entertainment, and if we are honest we are a localised small fry. Bigger crowds are seen in many other minority sports I am told. But our highly paid leaders will try to inflate our game, to their advantage of course.
A lot of people can’t be bothered with the Agrocof having to get there nearly 2 hours before KO, not being able to buy a drink etc. think once all restrictions are lifted most fans will be back.
You don’t really need to get in the ground that early, thinks it’s just a guideline so everyone’s not turning up at the same time.