Leigh's lack of fans

Quote: caslad75 "I think it's probably about both, however there is no good in expanding to a new audience and then the very people that we are trying to attract can't fit into the stadium. Maybe I look at things a little too simplistically though. Also, as Yorksguy has said, the ground at Coventry is terrible for accessibility, is nowhere near anything and the place isn't exactly a cosmopolitan city is it. I went to the double header there in the four nations and it wasn't exactly one of the best experiences I've had. It was OK, but no way a contender for MW in my opinion. It's OK them showing a lot of interest, but the place needs to be suitable for the event. Having attended there, my opinion is that neither the stadium or the city is suitable for an event like the MW. I would love to see it taken to the Midlands, but the only stadium I can think of that could even be considered due to capacity would be Villa Park, but having never been I can't comment on suitability, but at least it is close to Birmingham which should have more to offer the fans for a weekend than Coventry does.'"

I agree with much of that. I wasn't necessarily banging the drum for Coventry, just using it as an example.

One thing I take from your post though is who is the event aimed that? Fans of existing SL clubs, or locals, or both? Is it better to have 30,000 locals (new fans) or 50,000 existing SL fans - I'm not sure myself, and I'm not sure the RFL do either. That's why it comes down to a question of strategy and what the RFL want to achieve with MW.

One things for sure though, if the RFL are trying to use MW as a vehicle to attract new audiences to RL & to boost grassroots RL in that area (and help a local pro side if there is one), then they're doing a pretty poor job of it.

I suspect it is about £, which is why your points are focused on how the attendance can be maxed out with existing SL fans.