Do we really? I'd argue that rugby league is the second biggest sport in the region and a major part of the identity in this part of Lancashire. On BBC Radio Manchester we get one evening a week exclusively for rugby league, a couple of hours on Friday often shared with the one and only professional rugby union side in the region and the Sunday sports programme. During the soccer season the sport's coverage is chopped and changed to accomodate the 11-man code with little to no explanation or warning.

The bigger picture is that local radio provides an essential link and helps overcome isolation and loneliness. For many people, particularly the elderly and those in more isolated areas, their local BBC radio station is truly a lifeline and sometimes their only link to the rest of the community.

I don't think i'm on my own when all I want is the RFL to promote its strongest 12 or 14 clubs in its elite division.

i also won't support any of the RFL's showcase events like international games until it wakes up and starts to listen to its core fanbase.

When I read the OP I knew there was going to be at least one person that is either too selfish, thick, ignorant or lazy to research the history of the game properly and why the RFL have made the decisions they have, and use the thread as an opportunity to spout their self-righteous, ill-informed, non-sensical rubbish.

Cheers.

Second biggest, yes, but by a long, long distance. I know BBC radio shouldn't be about the popularity of sports etc but you could get a total of the attendances of all the Radio Manc RL clubs and it wouldn't match even just a couple of United and City games, not to mention Bolton, Wigan, Rochdale, Oldham, Stockport etc.

We're light years behind in terms of support in numbers but that's the beauty of local radio and just one of the many reasons why it can't be allowed to wither and die.

Which clubs are stronger than any of the 14 in SL for 2012?

All true fans of Rugby League will respond to the RFLs request. All those masquerading as Rugby League fans, but are not won't.

Leigh to run its own radio station,its been tried out too via leighlife.com

It's very much in it's infancy, hang on