What if the CC fina was [inot[/i nearly always a sell out before SL?

Would that mean his point was [inot[/i valid?



This just isn't true.

Point on the CC attendances was that its losing its gloss and is no longer attractive to the neutral, whereas is was prior to SL. Now its a marginalised competition by the RFL who's focus is the grand final.

If you dont think people are getting disillusioned with the game in the UK you must live in a cave. The RFL focusing their efforts on a select few only serves to alienate those on the outside and those people dont go running to the nearest club as a substitute. Christ, the RFL dont even make a half attempt to please the NL clubs or BARLA and their fans so why would they give a toss about the game any more.

No, the point is that what you said was wrong - and so if that was the support for his point, it has none.

Saturday's attendance compared well with any of the pre-Sl CC finals after the configuration of Wembley was changed.

I think you've come to a conclusion, and are trying to set the facts to fit.

I think the final of the CC still has the same gloss and is still the big occasion it has been, there are many factors which probably contributed to the lower attendance this season - most notably probably the current economic climate making it harder for a lot of neutrals - but so far this is a one off drop and we will see in coming years how it works out in the long term.

If by "nearly always", you mean about 5 times spread over 3 decades, then you have a good point.



Maybe people are getting disillusioned, but it doesn't seem to stop them watching or playing in larger numbers. The huge rise in attendances at games compared to the 1990s, 1980s, 1970s or 1960s would tend to suggest the opposite. The tens of millions of pounds per year coming in to the game from Sky and from Sports England and the lottery would tend to suggest things aren't looking too bad?

Most of the Wigan finals from 88-95 sold out didn't they? (+ both Bradford v Saints ones in 96 and 97 did IIRC).