Yeah, so it's completely inconsequential to the thread. It's about as relevant as claiming that the DW Stadium and KC Stadium are also victories for P&R. Good for Leigh, the council built them a stadium, that's great but it has nothing to do with a club like Featherstone investing in infrastructure and development rather than short-term on-field success.

Not to mention that Featherstone will own and run their improved stadium and therefore stand to benefit financially in the long run.

Who knows, but they did build a 2000+ seat stand back in the days of P&R.

It didn't look anything like that big a crowd on tv.

Not the only thing they developed at the stadium when P & R was in existence.

They improved the disabled facilities, built a study centre amongst other countless things.

I agree, but it has boosted their average for the season to 2,536 (just over the box-ticking number although I don't think this will apply from next year when some measure of sanity returns to RL).

This brings back vivid memories of Fax v Batley a few years ago.

FM, I would guess there was as many as the fixture against you guys, if not more. The main stand was full (commentary area), sponsors section, full again.

Wouldn't it be great if all the teams could start attracting crowds of this nature.

I agree, Chris, but I didn't believe the attendance figure for the Fax game either.

You are William Eve and I claim my £5. Seriously - what is the point of these sort of posts?

Why did they publish a faked attendance, then? Is 3,890 a magical number that will secure great advantages for Fev? Is 3,890 a number that when I looked at it, should instantly impress everyone who will then all say, "Wow, look, if Fev can get 3,890 in a league decider they must immediately be promoted to SL"? Or maybe they just want to pay more VAT?

I'd say no. If we had automatic P&R, then Fev would have been up a couple of years ago, wouldn't they?
That could have meant that they could have used the extra income generated by being in SL to continue to develop, but its equally likely that increased players wages would have stifled any such development.

It's a big jump in home attendance, and the stadium was far from full against a team with a very small away following, I can see why people are questioning it.

Not true, even the days of P & R the club has always tried to improve the facilities.

Why are they relatively poor then?

Honest question, not meant as a dig, but the arguments being made here are that Fev are looking promising for an SL gig, which means they need to be judged by SL standards.

In the late 90's, early 00's we had a fair few financial issues, that thankfully we moved on from, however in 1997 the family stand was built, moving from a terraced (roofed) stand, into a modern all seating stand.

Just before the club got relegated it improved it's learning centre, meaning the club could work more with the local schools etc.

In 2004, the club hit a low point and was relegated in National League 2 (at the time), seeing us in 2005 hit a real low point and really was the start of promising things to come.

The club in 2007 then had a new chairman (Mark Campbell) who was influenced by the friend of Featherstone, with new directors coming in and starting what we have today.

Since then, the club has extended it's offices, coaching area, training facilities, updated the clubhouse and co-operate facilities etc.

In the last 3 weeks we've seen the start of the new state of the art training facilities. Plus also we've seen the railway end demolished and a new stand progressing nicely. Once this has been completed, the clubhouse will be extended allowing more than 120 sponsors in the dining area.

For a club that doesn't get much tv revenue, I personally believe it is huge progress compared to other Super League clubs who have had an awful lot of financial backing.

Final point is, we own our own stadium and 17 acres of land, so everything in the stadium is run by the club.

Hope that answers your question.

Is that the standards set by Bradford, Salford & Wakefield at some point or other in their franchise tenure?

Congratulations Featherstone - the man from KPMG - he say yeeeeaaah!!"