Being a Championship fan who has never been to the Magic weekend before and whose team aren't involvedI was highly sceptical.

However, this weekend has been highly successful:

First of all to answer the questions about attendances, last year there were just derby games - Saints V Wigan, Leeds V Bradford, Hull V Hull KR, Cas V Wakey, Quins V Catalans, they are bound to be well supported, this year there was only one derby and the other games were well supported in a smaller stadium.

It's so refreshing to see fans of all RL clubs (not just SL clubs either) mingling together in a city when it isn't a cup final, I say keep it, Cardiff is more ideal for the fans and the games (closed roof an all) but Edinburgh is a much nicer city.

I think the football season finishes on the 24th may. The following weekend would be the whit bank holiday weekend. Therefore it would certainly be possible to stage a 'Magic' weekend at a premiership football ground.

To be honest, I'd love to be traveling to Cardiff or Edinburgh to watch my club and enjoy a weekend of complete RL. It's something different from the norm and would complement the season nicely. Whether it does anything for expansion is very debatable. The crowds look embarrassing on TV, compared to our RU rivals, and it does little to promote the game imho. Perhaps they need to ensure it is promoted better locally with free tickets for locals etc?

Someone didn't get the 'MM is a failure' memo. Quote: "[sizeSalford 16-24 Harlequins[/size Source scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/ru ... 5230323.jp

Someone didn't get the 'MM is a failure' memo. Quote: "[sizeSalford 16-24 Harlequins[/size Source scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/ru ... 5230323.jp

A half empty stadium either gives a bad impression or it doesn't. In fact if one of the primary aims is to 'spread the game' surely that's even more reason not to have a negative impression created.



You appear to be mistaking me for somebody who either has an issue the idea of MM or its location.

I'll leave it to those who know what the goals of MM are and have access to sufficient data to make a judgement to asses its success or otherwise. If you had simply sought to argue against the assumption that the figures quoted are negative rather than attempting dismiss discussion around attendance as irrelevant I'd have done exactly the same as I have with the rest of thread, ignored it.

On the specific issue of Elland Road there are few sports venues I have visited that I would be less inspired to spend 6-7 hours in.

You can tell who has not been there are moaning on here about the size of the crowd!

Only in League do we care more about attendances than the quality of the event/games!

Quite wright.

The game's governing body will be happy then as they achieved a capacity of 44%.

Away from the obsessive microcosm of rugby league fora, most normal people have the common sense to recognize context. Getting a not too disimilar number of fans to travel a couple hundred miles, to a neutral venue, in an area the game is not as popular, than would have watched the same at home is not unimpressive. As is being claimed. It is in no way comparable to playing in an empty stadium at home, for which most fans only need to travel a couple miles.

Michael.

The game's governing body will be happy then as they achieved a capacity of 44%.

Away from the obsessive microcosm of rugby league fora, most normal people have the common sense to recognize context. Getting a not too disimilar number of fans to travel a couple hundred miles, to a neutral venue, in an area the game is not as popular, than would have watched the same at home is not unimpressive. As is being claimed. It is in no way comparable to playing in an empty stadium at home, for which most fans only need to travel a couple miles.

Michael.

Sooo, out of interest, where did all those organised parties hire their coaches from? Local companies perhaps? Did they buy their tickets for the train locally, ensuring local rail services remain strong? Or take a taxi from a local firm to the station?

Did they spring for a new replica shirt for the trip, or buy some new clothes from their local high street

Small, simple minds will live forever in a small simple world, and you will deserve it.

On both days during the first games the stadium looked empty, not surprising really, but it filled up for the later games and honestly, it didn't look so bad at all.

I think the event should have stayed in Wales for this year at least. If the main purpose of the event is to increase awareness and boost spectator number/interest in the game then the combination of Celtic's first year in SL and the Magic weekend in Cardiff I think, would have combined for a more powerful effect.

This would have been worth sacrificing the extra revenue that is made from the event being held in Scotland.

All moot anyway as it has moved. So, on the same lines, I think it should stay there until the first Scottish Championship side is up and running and the RFL should actively be seeking partners to establish a team North of the border.

I can only presume the vast majority of Magic doubters didn't get of their fat a*ses and go

The publicity for this event in Edinburgh was brilliant, every pub, every bus stop, every taxi, every train, the hotel, the restaurants, everyone was talking Rugby League.

It was a fantastic effort by genuine fans to bring Rugby League to Edinburgh, an it worked. It really felt great to be part of promoting my sport Chanting with Catalan fans on the Streets of Edinburgh FFS, it doesn't get any better

Well done the RFL and the SRU

Then I come on here and read such dross from people who really can't be bothered, and thats what it's about. All the doubters just can't get off their backsides to give it their all for their sport--pathetic

No you're right, they aren't likely to say its a waste of time, by all accounts that Scottish Rugby journo actually enjoyed himself and I have no doubt that hoteliers, bar owners and many other retailers did too.

So does that all answer your silly questions back on page one ?




Exactly.

I didn't go for a myriad of reasons, but I don't feel the need to have a go at something that is clearly enjoyed by a large number of RL supporters, and is a commercial success - what sort of fool would ?

7 very entertaining games.

Full TV coverage.

The opportunity for "new" customers to sample the "product" at a very competitive rate.

Those who didn't watch it or go to the games are the ones losing out.

One of the things that isn't quantifiable, at the moment is "eyes on the box" which is the ONLY thing SKy TV are concerned about so that advertising rates can be sorted.

If in their eyes it has been a worthwhile exercise then it has paid off and when it comes to renegotiating the TV contract ( most of RL funding comes from that I reckon direct;y/indirectly) then it an advantage.