Quote: Starbug "Much as I dislike Blackpool [ the town ] I dont really see any better option at the moment , personnally having the NRC final as a curtain raiser would just detract from it as a competition IMO , As for the attendance of the final , a bigger concern is the low interest in all games played in the lower tier games , that should be the main focus'"
Half agree with you. [I quite like Blackpool as it does exactly what it says on the tin. Seaside town - very good rollercoasters - fish and chips- Tower and Piers].
The Jonstones Paint Trophy is still called a Mickey Mouse cup but the chance to get Wembley means that the fans still turn out.
What about a day out in Glasgow? Hampden Park is my favourite mid-size stadium (was there when almost Cumbrians Gretna almost beat Hearts) and for Lancashire clubs roughly the same distance away as Wembley.
Could famous names of the past be used to promote the game up there? I saw the Scottish Grand Final last year and it was a surprisingly high standard. Get the neutrals up there who have heard of Fax; Haven; Barrow; Leigh and (although pains me to say it) Widnes in and let them see whats on offer in the Scottish Conference as the curtain raiser.
Edinburgh Eagles only lost one game last season and were the club rumoured to be applying for NL2 a couple years ago. It also gives their fans a gauge of the next level of competition in RL.
Fans day out in a stadium that we should aspire to at least half fill and a great City. 2 Games of Rugby League! Boost for the game up there too.
And if we do get a French group in the NRC then apparently Glasgow airport has been open over the last few days!!!
