it would be idiotic to think that you couldnt have commented on the 15 years of growing attendances we had because you only joined in April 2012. 2012 set attendance records. You could have started one yourself as you offered. You have plenty of opportunity to shout the good news from the rooftops. You chose not to. You refuse to explain why.

There is not any way, shape or form, or possible interpretation of anything at all, that could lead any intelligent person, who understands what the word means, to describe the fact this thread has a point as a tautology. I can only assume you have attempted to shoe-horn a word you dont understand into the sentence to try and sound intelligent.

I have to say, I don't always like William Eve's style but I'm interested in this thread.
It will clearly go on until the end of the season and I want to keep seeing the attendances. The conclusions we are all drawing from the numbers are the point ofthe thread in my opinion.
I don't agree with all his and/or others opinions on it, but I wouldn't have my opportunity to read and comment if he didn't post it.

Sometimes an antagonist is a good thing.

Agree, good to monitor attendances as they do matter in so many different ways. I like to take the good with the bad. Attendances are down this year for whatever reason. Hopefully next yer they will be back to the norm and start climbing again.

I agree with you. Perhaps asking, "Whats the point?" is the wrong question but I am just interested in William's motivation for starting the thread in the first place because his comments don't seem to be constructive or positive. Anyway, he must be sitting in his cellar p155ing himself laughing at the moment so I think I'll bow out.

this...but with the kicker that "hopefully" has no place in modern sports marketing...the RFL employed a marketing Guru from Man City...time he started to earn his crust IMHO!

For me, the crux of the matter is that long standing die-hard rugby league fans are becoming frustrated with the lack of meaningful games, and are becoming less avid.
In a discussion on the Leeds board, I explained that I personally have gone from never missing a match (missing work, using holidays, missing other events to make sure I didnt miss a match) to more recently picking and choosing the games I attend. For instance, even if I were offered a free ticket to Salford v Leeds, with free travel, I'd still choose to stay at home and watch the game on the box, because the intensity isnt there for a Leeds v Salford match.
Rugby league fans simply want a good full bloodied contest, between 2 teams that will give their all and play as though their lives depend on it. The current league structure means that the top teams can afford to take it easy for large parts of the season - leading to low intensity games and a general apathy.
The worry is, that if someone like me, who's life has always revolved around the game is becoming dis-illusioned, how on earth are we going to attract and keep new supporters. (By the way, my love for the game has not detracted - its just the entertainment served up is often not worth giving up my hard earned and spare time).

Empty!

I'm not a betting man but I would be willing to chance a few shillings that should attendances next year take a turn for the better our friend William will not be so prolific with his offerings.

If you read the earlier posts in this thread, he did say that one of his reasons for doing this was because the RFL made a song and dance about increases in 2012 but weren't so keen as to make any public statement as to a reduction in fan numbers that should be a major concern to them.

I've much better things to do with my life than read 140 odd pages of some geeks hobbyhorse ramblings.

you're not from round these parts are you stranger

You mean he's surprised that a business isn't shouting from the rooftops a lower than expected business outcome? Really?

I think the rfl should be taking out full page adds confessing its poor management and telling the world crowds are down, as should all the over sports who have seen a drop this year!