Quote: wrencat1873 "The nucleus of fans and certainly those who are supporting Widnes in the Championship would NEVER support another side but, loads of supporters go to watch a game of RL and are not just 100% for their side.
Why else do attendances fluctuate so much and drop so steeply when a side is relegated, with the exception of KR, who's support was commendable during their recent spell in The Championship and where are all of those Bulls fans from a few years ago ?
Do you honestly think that none of them have started watching elsewhere or do you believe that they are merely hibernating, like squirrels in "the longest winter" ??'"
Whilst there are general RL fans that might turn out to watch a game not involving their side (I even went to Wigan v Saints last year) I wasn't contemplating making the switch to one or the other anytime soon so in the context of this thread and YOUR suggestion that a successful Liverpool RL Club were a perceived threat to Warrington Widnes and Saints then I'm not swayed.
If you are suggesting that attendances "fluctuate so much" at relegated teams because they've suddenly buzzed off to support another local team then again I'm not buying it. People get disillusioned and will either stop going or pick their games and there are decent fixtures in the Championship I suspect Leigh v Widnes in either division would have a comparable crowd. Voting with your feet may involve none RL weekends
And finally, although I don't really know this for sure perhaps a Bratford fan can tell us both, but, yes I think that the biggest fall in attendance can be accounted for a great marketing strategy and a successful side attracting healthy crowds with a sharp reduction being accounted for by disillusioned locals giving up rather than returning to watch Halifax Wakefield etc the "squirrels hibernating in winter" if you like.
As a matter of interest since Bradford's demise in the corresponding period have your crowds rocketed with all of these returning 'rats'?