Is the Right Answer

Like I say bullsfan away there are genuine exceptions where for instance people maybe cannot afford to attend as often. But let's not kid ourselves that our crowds have dropped dramatically because of the recession. I am pretty sure Wigan isn't immune to the recession and they seem to be getting the crowds each week... I wonder why that might be...

What the hell are you on about???

My comments were aimed specifically at those who state they will not go back to Odsal while Macca remains the coach. Read what I said and what I was responding to.

Nowhere did I say anything about people not going because of their own financial realities, or in any way suggest that was not a valid reason for not going.

My point was specifically regarding people who use the "coach crap therefore won't go while he is here" excuse when at heart they are glory supporters and only want to go when the team is usually winning. I have worked with such people, and I'm sure so have numerous others. All we want is a bit of honesty from them - its nothing to be ashamed of, its entirely up to an individual what he spends his money on, and trekking up to Odsal to see your team capitulate would be a poor use of time and money in many peoples' books.

I believe the point BB was making was that much of the drop-off in crowds is because of many people not enjoying going when we are not winning most games - something I have heard numerous times when talking to former-attendees. That was what I was agreeing with. He was not trying to make any clever point, just stating what he saw as a fact of life - as I do.

I also know people who have to be selective which games they attend because of the current economic realities, and have been the first to leap to their defence when someone calls THEM glory supporters.

Can I suggest you read what I actually said, and the context in which it was said, before you refer to me as a tösser?

Thank you.

Those who don't come because of financial constraints - fine, nobody can argue with that.

Those who come because they don't want to pay players wages when they don't put any effort in (Warrington last season) fine.

I think staying away because Macca is the coach is ridiculous. Nobody can deny he's always tried his hardest. His hard work off the pitch is paying off and we are seeing it on the pitch now. He'll be gone by next season so we'll see if that's the real excuse or if it's just because we aren't getting to the GF every season.


When the silverware finally does get back to its rightful place in the Odsal trophy cabinet, the people who attended when their money let them, whether we were winning or losing will appreciate it that much more. I for one am certain that watching us in 2009 (as Adey says, sometimes felt like a punishment) will make me appreciate the success alot more.

I think we underestimate the number of stayaways that only stay away because they've moved away or died. In good times they'd be more than made up for by new fans. Now, not so much.

Quite. I started going to loads of games when I was 12/13 back in 1997, so I'm now 26 *gulp*. A lot of people who started going to games in those days are likely to have moved away to university or to find employment (I have, albeit just 30 miles away) and / or had children, which seriously reduces any money / time to do anything.

Back in 1997, the Bulls were a fabulous team and summer rugby was a new exciting product that was a lot easier to sell. It was amazing being at Odsal back in those days. Even in the '90s there was probably far less competition for leisure time and also, it was cheaper to watch the Bulls then! The ticket prices have risen above inflation quite considerably.

Nowadays, I'll try get to about half of our home games and some away games. I find paying nearly 20 quid plus public transport costs quite hard to justify though to be honest.

Me? I am not trying to "spin" anything. I am just seeing that there is two sides to this argument. Some people on here refuse to see that. The people who are not coming to the games are not fans and that is it. End of. I think some should cut them some slack and try and understand why they are not coming back. At the moment. Of course if we get to Wembley/Old Trafford plenty will return, but that's human nature.

It felt like I'd died at points watching them last season....

I've been bed ridden all weekend so didn't go Friday,

What happened?

Oh mate, you've missed it all. It's kicking off good and proper. There's a big meeting in Whitehall, London, I think it's to decide on our new coach for next year. Someone called Clegg and a guy from Cameroon seem to be favourites. Must be from the NRL 'cos I've not heard of either of them, they were on telly too, but never even mentioned RL once, though the guy from Cameroon seemed to think we'd be better off out of the European Super League. I don't have any confidence in either to be honest; where's ME when you need him?

Quality.