But Leeds gates where static around that period, and the dramatic increase came around 2004 when Leeds United got relegated.

Do you think that is coincidence?

Ein was für unhöflicher Mann. Meine Schuhe sind eine Größe 10

Yes, because they won their first SL title that year, playing some great rugby.

2004 was also the season Leeds won their first championship in 32 years, as well as being the season LUFC left the premiership.

Glass half full - Rhinos success brought fans to the club
Glass half empty - People started coming because LUFC were in a lower division.

The truth? Probably somewhere in the middle.

What he said.

Yes, do you know why, because Leeds Utd where relegated (after a couple of seasons bobbing round the lower part of the premiership) at the end of the 2003-2004 season, which is mid-way through the SL season, the same SL season that Leeds Rhinos won the SL with a record points total, a record points scored, a record points difference, by a record margin and for the first time since Methuselah was born.

I would think the fact the Rhinos were successful, and so successful, after such a long wait had much more of an affect than Leeds Utd being relegated mid way through the SL season.

Average attendances at Leeds Rhinos increased by almost 5,000 between 1996 and 1999, a period when Leeds United were enjoying Champions League football, reaching the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup and breaking the British transfer record.

Where did those extra 5,000 fans come from? Shouldn't they have been saving up for expensive European away trips and Leeds United season tickets?

Hetherington has gone on record on numerous occassions about how Leeds Rhinos have more fans from outside it's catchment area than any other club.

The team at Headingley, coincidentally from 2003, actually targetted fans from other areas to increase the gates. Cumbria and Northumerland give a high number of visitors to Headingley. I doubt that many of them will be Leeds United fans.

By contrast, Leeds United have previously gone on record has saying that over 20% of their supporter base is from Outside of Yorkshire and in the south of the country and Ireland.

22-Feb-04 ….. London ….. 15,119
19-Mar-04 ….. Wigan ….. 18,124
08-Apr-04 ….. Bradford ….. 21,225
16-Apr-04 ….. Huddersfield ….. 11,701
07-May-04 ….. Warrington ….. 16,065
Leeds United Relegated
28-May-04 ….. Salford ….. 14,239
11-Jun-04 ….. Widnes ….. 13,419
25-Jun-04 ….. Hull ….. 15,153
09-Jul-04 ….. Castleford ….. 13,922
23-Jul-04 ….. St Helens ….. 16,635
01-Aug-04 ….. Wakefield ….. 15,629
22-Aug-04 ….. Bradford ….. 21,225
27-Aug-04 ….. Castleford ….. 14,605
17-Sep-04 ….. London ….. 17,329

Leeds were enjoying a pretty good upsurge in support even before Leeds' relegation probably by way of the factors mentioned previously.

Absolutely cock on there. I was going to rip the pi55 out of the whole city of Leeds until I factored in the context of the current economic climate.

Every club has its core supporters and most will be envious of the solid season ticket sales at Headingley despite a poor last season by recent standards.

With the belt tightening that most people are having to contemplate you would expect ticket sales to be under pressure. Add to that the fact that the team last year were well below their best for entertainment and you lose some support.

If the new coaches can get the team returning to a fast, offloading, wider attacking game then the floating supporters will be there at the turnstyles. As has been previously stated those that did not want to commit to the cost of the season ticket will be there for the big games.

When playing well Leeds have always attracted the independent rugby league supporter who has no real ties to any club but values open rugby in a great stadium with atmosphere. Put the product on the field and the support will be there even in difficult economic times. (please note GH)

Didn't GH make a comment the other season about negative rugby? A lot of folk thought he was having a pop at certain other clubs, but I always thought that he was actually giving Bluey the Scarborough warning about our own on field style and disciplinary problems.

Might that have been a factor in Bluey's early departure?

I think we all would love to see that type of rugby league, and this season should prove very interesting!