But that is besides the point...no relevance what so ever.



We're having a good old rant here when really its not much of an issue as the gate would only have been around 10-12K anyway.

2007- 9,612
2008- 10,129

I really dont understand what everyone is getting so upset about, its not like we would get a huge crowd anyway, i doubt it would be anymore than 10,000-13,000

Had it been the 4th round game when season ticket holders would have been able to get in for free then it could have created more of an issue.

As it is, all it will do is drive up demand for tickets as everyone rushes to get theirs before it sells out - nice marketing move disguised as health and safety.

well i cant get a ticket until thursday as I have no season ticket

So there we have it. No big deal really.

As Mr Gilder says, smart move by Mr Hetherington.

Had the Leeds fans shown a willingness to attend these ties in larger numbers in the past then I doubt this decision would be made.

You don't think that Wigans better performances this season, would see an increase in their fans to come to the match?

There home attendances would indicate more are coming back to watch them.

We have played Weeeegan before in the cup when the cricket was on and from memory the atmosphere was crap as we couldnt sing, chant or pass wind for fear of upsetting the cricketers!

Easy solution - lets play it on Friday night !!!

Who stopped anyone singing?

BBC would not show it on a friday evening.

No. I think the best indicator are the two previous games.

Away support is incidental. Leeds fans have shown a real lack of appetite to attend matches at home in the Challenge Cup, aside from the freebie last year. I see now reason why Saturday's gate for a game live on free to air BBC, would change that, regardless of Wigan's league position.

I'd only add

1999 - 15,500

In natural sense, there is 7'500 tickets (baring whats already been bought) up for grabs, id say thats about 1 a season ticket holder?

I think we usually have more than that

To be fair,it's hardly just Leeds fans that have shown an apathy to the CC ties over the last few years.

It's because of declining numbers that the RFL in conjuction with the clubs came up with the free 4th round entry for super league season ticket holders in the hope of getting bums on seats but i don't think even that has really worked,as whilst you might get a decent/reasonable attendance figures in the 4th round for a top all super league tie,after the 4th round the figures just drop again.

In general it seems that a lot of season ticket holders throughout the game,not just Leeds will chose not to give up their hard earned cash to pay for none season ticket games.

In todays climate and given the cost of many season ticket packages then this apathy towards the Cup prior to the Semis/Final will continue unless the clubs/RFL take further action.

This year they even set a cap for all clubs ticket prices for the 5th round but even with that IIRC the 'glamour' tie of the round between Huddersfield and Warrington only attracted circa 6000?

Got my ticket & I'll be attending the cricket too.
The issue re the North stand is all the crowd mulling round the cricket ground waiting to get in & the leaving at the end.
Just to close the North stand for the cricket specatators is not the problem IMV.
From a numerical POV you could do that & comfortably accommodate those who wish to watch the cricket in the rest of the ground despite the fact that the new pavilion won't be open.
The H&S people must reckon that allowing people to access the Paddock & the North stand upper levels solely from the rugby side is not practicable.

Rhinos have 10000+ season ticket holders but only 7500 tickets available??