Restricting ticket availability on account of a cricket match was hardly a marketing masterstroke.

Not embarrassing at all.

I won't devalue the CC. It's a prestigious event and is one of only two major trophies to aim for. I'd love us to win it.

This is a major tie regardless of the attendance.

However, you need a dose of reality. It is a trend throughout the game at EVERY club that paid for cup ties attract low crowds and much lower than league averages. Nothing at all for Leeds fans to be embarrassed about but something that the league needs to consider carefully. Hence the decision to make the 1st round games free at EVERY CLUB because EVERY CLUB was suffering dire attendances.

Whilst you've been at pains to pretend you weren't trolling you were trying to score some points but you've failed miserably I am afraid.

PS, I won't be there. I am away for the day. Had I not been i would've bought a ticket and been there. Is that OK?

I wasn't trolling. I've never trolled in about 12 years on these forums.

And I know crowds are generally lower for cup. Maybe Leeds fans will turn out on the day, we'll see. I just expected this game to be near sell out now both at Leeds and Wigan considering it's all ticket. I suppose I'm just galled that this is our third cup trip to Leeds in four years whilst at Wigan we've not had a big home cup tie in 11 years since we left Central Park.

I'm just really surprised that having not won the cup since 1999 that no one on here seems bothered about winning it. Clearly the lack of excitement shown in this thread proves that. In Wigan I reckon quite a few fans would take the cup before the league. Interesting contrast.

I think a lot of people like to play it cool over the cup a little and pretend they're not really too fussed, because they know it hinders our attempts to get to the Grand Final, and relinquishing the Super League Trophy is going to be hard to swallow when it happens. But deep down I think everyone would love to win the CC. I know I would, and if I could be there on Saturday I would be. It does surprise me that more people haven't bought tickets as yet.

Furry Muff

I expected a gate of about 10,000 based upon your last two visits here in the cup. Would I prefer a gate like we got last year against Saints (when it was free)? God yes. But there's an issue with the cup rounds and the league needs to get to the bottom of it. Would it be different if the tie was at your place? I suspect not to be honest.

I am desperate for us to win it. the players and the club are desperate to win it. Some on here may pretend they're not bothered but it's bravado. However, the consensus is that it is less significant that winning the Grand Final which is an interesting contrast. Perhaps it's because, historically, we had a decent cup record and an abysmal championship record and now we're addressing that. Also, from my point of view, i like that we're creating a bit of history and I hope we go on to win a 4th. IMO, and it's just MO, each of our Grand Final wins is worth two to three of your titles in your glory days given the level playing field we now operate in so we're etching our name in folklore. That's why, if I had to choose, I'd take another GF win in a heartbeat. But if I was being greedy, I'd quite like both.

Hope that rambling stuff helps explain the prevailing attitude a bit.

GTFO.

I would agree with this comment

It does a bit yeah. A sense that the cup distracts from the league. But again interesting that the current league table hasn't changed that view.

IMO it is a terrible effort by Leeds fans. I could understand if it we were playing a smaller club. I can understand not many non-season ticket holders attending. But only 30% of season ticket holders have bought tickets. 30% is terrible!!! But when it comes to the next home gave and there are 15,000 there and the rest of the season ticket holders come back as if they are hardcore fans but won't spend £20 to watch them in the cup against Wigan. It’s got to be the money that puts people off because there were nearly 4000 who travelled AWAY to Hull. So the majority of season ticket holders were happy to spend on transport to get to Hull and back but not on a ticket for a home game. Rant over. Cmon Leeds lets get to Wembley

from the OS

The capacity at the rugby stadium has been halved for this Saturday’s game to just 10,000 for public safety issues with Yorkshire CCC also playing in the cricket stadium at the same time. However, with 3,000 tickets still unsold for the game there is a danger that Rhinos fans could be out numbered by Wigan supporters on their own patch.

Does it?

I don't think so - Saints have won the cup and made the GF in the same season three times in the last 4 years, could have been 4 in a row but for a poor semi-final performance against Hudds last year.

There may be an argument that it hinders you winning the GF, but I don't buy into that either - it just seems to be a convenient argument for Leeds fans to trot out to mask their under-achievement in the cup. I'm happy to back down if someone can prove to me the direct link between Meli's gaffes and us playing at Wembley . . . .

IIRC it's been an equally convenient one for some saints fans to trot out to explain their underachievement in more than one GF

I know 8 of the 11 regulars I stand with are away with it been bank holiday weekend or school hols. I also know a few who have been put off by reduced capacity and a few who are watching the pennies In tough times and are just gonna see it on the beeb? It's 70 sheets for tickets plus drinks and food so add at least 50 quid to that! So £120 for an afternoon out for my mate, his wife and 2 kids is just not a gower right now. Other people maybe similar at the moment?