I've lived in Manchester most of my life and rarely do United 'sell themselves' around here, except a few campaigns in the MEN and the Tevez billboard. They don't generally need to (unless the occasional European game is selling short). Their sponsors, 'partners' and the media will do it for them.

I have, however, seen Salford marketing themselves far and wide, especially since Koukash took the helm. It's certainly not true to say they sell only in Salford. Far from it - they've targeted a wide catchment and are active on the radio, in local press and via other means including social media and mailshots.

For all practical purposes, 'Manchester' is the area within and bordering the M60 (sorry, Salford); the defined borders mean very little in reality. Except for a small hardcore in the Salford and Swinton area there is almost no interest in the game. A scattered passing interest, perhaps, but not much. Football areas are football areas and you haven't a cat in hell's chance of breaking in. But then there are other demographics people forget. A huge Jewish community in North Manchester. Enormous Asian (and other immigrant) communities in more areas than I can probably name. The large Afro-Caribbean community centred around Moss Side. A massive student population, many hailing from non-RL areas and many of whom remain in Manchester to live & work after university. Then there are areas such as Wythenshawe...though the less said about those the better. So there you have huge swathes of the population with - again, for all practical purposes - absolutely no interest in or indeed awareness of the game. The 'traditional' RL audience in Manchester is limited, so new inroads need to be found.

It has to start in the schools but that's a challenge in itself. A friend of mine coaches sport at a college nearby. He's a football man but also loves RL and when the Head of Sport decided the college would coach and play RU, it was simply due to funding and support from the RFU, who send development officers into colleges to help out. Some of the Sport England funding would do well bringing back the RFL development officers of a few years ago who were doing similar and making some strong inroads, including converting the school the Bury Broncos had moved to. Invest, invest and invest in get kids playing throughout their school lives and you have players and fans at the ready. Then you can start to think about cracking big cities who frankly don't care about RL.

Salford RL missed their chance to be the home of spectating on live sport when Manchester United turned their back on their local fans in the 2000s as tickets became like gold dust.

While the football club chased the big dollar spent in the club shop by fans far afield and gentrified the atmosphere, Salford RL could've grabbed those locally who were alienated if they had moved quickly.

Now it's too late as Salford City and the class of 92 plus FC United of Manchester have moved in to cash in on that crowd.

Hillbilly, we have disagreed and that's only natural as people will have differences of opinion, but, I would hope that it was a disagreement based on some semblance of facts, or each others interpretation of them? I know what is was about and think that we just agreed to disagree, no name calling or "swinging wildly" to create a different never ending argument?

Funny how our co correspondent, named all of these Rugby League places in Manchester yet left out Rochdale how is it in 'them thar' hills, hope you're Ok on the outside of Manchester?

the growth of rugby league and the geography of Manchester are different topics. One i care about, the other i dont.

See you did understand. Seems a strange tactic, though common in those from Manchester, to pretend they don't understand things they do.

I have neither called you stupid, nor said anyone doesnt understand. I havent argued any Germans would follow Keinhorst in to RL, i havent once mentioned where he went to school, i havent argued that he got into RL after playing RL at University, I havent at any stage mentioned Jewish students. But other than that well done on a great post.

Soccer is easier to understand, which is why it is popular!

RL has always been innovative to keep it's crowds but it is a game where being able to think is important.