I've always generally agreed with most things Dave has written about the game over the years so it isn't surprising that I broadly agree with the article as a whole, but specifically about the game on the pitch itself.

My first game was in '87 as well and, though I am a good few years younger personal experience tells me that a lot of people my age and a bit older are getting fed up of the game and not following it, or being as interested in it, as we used to. It isn't down to our teams not winning as is always the predictable response, of the five Leeds fans in my office three of them have stopped renewing their season tickets over the last couple of years - and these are people who probably have more disposable income than they've had in the past.

It's not a good demographic for RL to be losing support from, these are people who'd be expected to take kids of their own, or nieces and nephews to games to keep the line of support going - and if many fall out with the game it will have a negative longer term impact.

The changes have sanitised the sport of RL, that along with our inability to beat the Aussies has led to a situation where there are now no surprises, no dreams, no passion and loss of emotion, 10 games since I packed in now , and not missing it, Leigh will win today at York and might with a bit of luck make the GF, but ultimatly it wont mean a lot

Same for the bulk of the rest of the teams

If you've given up, sod off then. Stop dragging the rest down. Either give up properly or don't. Leigh deserve better support.

The word ' deserve ' is used far too often in sport and particularily in RL, did Widnes ' deserve ' to be given a licence? Do Bradford ' deserve ' to remain in SL?

Useless meaningless comment from you.

Well both have been posted on here, and yet both questions are non playing relevant, so why do Leigh deserve better support?

Both questions are entirely irrelevant to this discussion and it's frankly bizarre that you've brought either up.

Why do Leigh deserve better support?

Because every club is about it's fans. Not the current board. Not the governing body. Especially not the governing body. The fans. If you're prepared to bail out and declare you are "not a fan" just because you don't like current management then you're missing the point.

I havent stated I'm not a fan, you did that, I said I dont watch them any more

Read the majority of the article, and I somewhat agree with some of the points made. However, I felt there was a counter to most arguments.

You seem to have made your mind up and derided almost every facet of the game, both on and off the field. On the field, I feel Friday's game between Catalans and Saints served up more or less everything you could want from a sporting contest. The point on all forwards carting the ball up and being the same isn't valid. From the Catalans team alone, how can you put Menzies, Paea and Pelissier in the same bracket of player? Menzies is a joy to watch as a wide running and creative second row whilst Paea's sheer power and explosiveness is also stunning. If you no longer find the exploits of those 2 differentiated and interesting, so be it but I would question your appreciation for the game and your understanding as a result.

The governing body often gets derided. Whilst it's decisions are not often popular, it's role is to safeguard the future of the game in what is an increasingly crowded sports market. Towns like Leigh and Featherstone aren't the future, as upsetting and blunt as that may seem. Expansion is important to our game, however I agree plonking a team in Super League (Crusaders in Wrexham) isn't the answer. Going forward, I can only think that France is the answer due to their clubs with history and substance. Whilst most Rugby League towns are not big, towns like Carcassonne, Toulouse and Avignon for me hold the key. Focused expansion in those areas, all of which have a deep routed love of Rugby alongside populations more than capable of sustaining Catalan like attendances are the future. This excites me (if progress was made) rather than deflates me because I'm not going to be able to go to a ghost town in Yorkshire or a manufactured bland stadium at Leigh. What needs to happen is a concrete plan to be put in place for the next 10 years. An English/French league for me, would carry more weight in the sporting climate we find ourselves in and would be enticing to (open minded, forward thinking) fans.

We currently have too many teams, I don't think their is a question about that and there are far to many mediocre players playing in Super League but if games like Friday's (and hopefully tomorrow's) leave you feeling down about the game, then so be it but I can't understand it.

On copying Australia, I think you are spot on. This country is different in all sporting aspects and following their lead just doesn't work.

As I'm beginning to ramble, albeit in the knowledge I could go on for a lengthy amount of time, I hope you rediscover your passion for the game and to be honest, have no doubt you will at some point, as ours is a game that never really leaves us once we have the love for it.

Just out of interest Il Fanatico, what do you see as the future for the Leighs and Featherstones of the world?

Whilst I agree with the idea of not following EVERYTHING the Aussies do (SOO doesn't work over here for example) there are certain things we need to follow imho.

Their structure of the leagues in regards to the lower division teams being joined with a top level club wherever possible for example.

So genuine feeder clubs?

You see that working over here?

Is the Challenge Cup really less important than the County Cups were 20 years ago? I was ball boying at Trinity during the final season of the competition, and without checking the attendances, no-one gave a stuff until the final. That one point is complete rubbish.

Wakefield stuffed Highfield in 1992 years before franchising, in a "golden age of cup competitions." Big blowouts between teams in different divisions never happened before professionalism.

Also with regards to old vs. new Wembley "but the magic and history of the occasion meant something that shiny seats and modern facilities will never replicate." I would give an arm to see Wakefield at Wembley and couldn't give a stuff if it's been turned 90 degrees and isn't the same turf Neil Fox scored a load of points at years ago.

Ask players to play more games and you'll have Peacock and Wilkin on their soapbox for a whinge.

Things don't stay the same. Some good, some bad. That's life.

Not feeder clubs as such. The dual registration move is basically doing it now except the player can go to any club he wants. What I would do is attach a lower league club to a Super League club and pool the talent.

Say Wigan and Leigh were joined (fans wouldn't be too happy but it's the logical choice), those Wigan players that are desperate for first team rugby such as Ryan King and Sam Powell would be able to turn out each week for Leigh. Leigh would also be able to call upon those Wigan players not in the 19 such as Logan Tomkins for example from this week.

If there's a player at Leigh in top form then he could get the SL call up he probably never would when Wigan have injuries. Rhodri Lloyd played against Leeds and Bradford for example. That could be a Leigh player who gets that chance and thus puts himself in the shop window. NZ Warriors have several players that starred for the Auckland Vulcans before getting their big chance with injury etc.


The closed shop of Super League could be an issue though and fans of those clubs that didn't get in could leave the game for good.

So not a feeder club, but behave like a feeder club

Sounds like a feeder club to me, what little support that remains at say Leigh would be gone in a couple of seasons, they could knock down the LSV and play at Leigh East