In reality, although reading some of the stuff on here it may not apply to Yorkshire, but, supporting your Rugby team isn't like buying a ticket for the Post Code lottery, apart from it seems in Castleford, Wakefield and Featherstone.

People can and do move about (apart from the above and Royston Vasey) and whilst population might be a good guide to compare attendances and level of support, it's by no means an absolute indicator in fact it's not great at all IMO.

For example, I'm from Warrington, support Warrington, but, live in Salford, boosting one figure diminishing the other (it's also an IQ thing Warrington's average has gone up). The population of Warrington also saw a large increase in population not from a baby boom of ex Wilderspool devotees, but, due to formation of a 'new' town and relative economic success attracting all sorts of folk to the area from Manchester Liverpool and beyond who by and large are a target market than die hard RL fans that can be counted on day one and each and every week.

I do hope that we can attract more fans and accept that we have lost many along the way for one reason or another, the players and game on balance (it's not all perfect) deserve it. My own club should be pulling in another 1,500 per game based on the current set up and level of investment. Unless you're a publican it's disappointing to see rugby fans mostly in tops 'supporting' the team on SKY through the bottom of a beer glass and I understand the maths of £12 for 4 pints and see the game in the warmth rather than £20 plus for standing on a terrace, but, if we want to up the ante on quality we need people through the gate as well as Sky subscribers.

Agree with all that, and it applies to my team, although getting another 1500 fans through the gates would need a serious overall of facilities whether at Belle Vue or elsewhere. Plus you're spot on, it's extremely disappointing to go into the pubs around Wakefield after a game, especially the last couple of years when we've had decent seasons and they're all sat in their tops having just watched the game, or even more annoying are those that obviously 'support' the team by the eagerness they want to know the score soon as you walk in to pubs, but for one reason or the other have chosen to stay in the pub all night rather than come down and watch the game. We have to develop ways to entice those guys (plus others) to either come back or start coming to games because they obviously have an interest.
I've often said that Wire is a club that Trinity could aspire to copy, with the better stadium and investment came more supporters and then, in turn, more success on the field.

The state of affairs says more about the difference between Leeds City Council and WMDC.

It isn't Leeds Rhinos who have developed Headingley by the way - Rhinos are very fortunate to ride on the coat tails of the cricket ground, who have the support of LCC.

You might want to do your research because you’re very badly wrong. If anything Yorkshire Cricket are fortunate to have the Rhinos run so well compared to them.

Wrong, cricket side would be up creek without the Rhinos. And yes it ys leeds rhinis that gave develwpeped headingley, all be-it help using private investors, but nothing stopping other clubs doing the same, but i guess investers see the Rhinos as a great investment opertunity and not wakey or Cas.

I havent seen any promotion for the new season on sky sports whatsoever.....

LCC have been unnecessarily obstructive of the Rhinos in the past. If it weren’t for LCC the South Stand would have been redeveloped years ago.

It very much is Leeds Rhinos who are developing Headingley. It’s in conjunction with Yorkshire as it’s a shared stand. The Rhinos are paying for the full South Stand redevelopment and for their share of the North Stand.

Leeds didn’t sell their stadium decades ago to pay for more players so are in a better position now.

I do enjoy a trip over to your place, particularly if doable by train and agree that a better ground will generally attract more fans and investment.

Our last days at Wilderspool were iffy to say the least and the new ground and set up is different 'gravy' a real boost. I'm sure that there will be a few team's supporters who will chuckle at your aspiration, but, in all honesty and despite still having the GF 'monkey' on our backs, it's a relatively easy time being a Wire.

We've definitely had some luck really, with the ground and our board and in turn I hope that you get your slice.

Isn't Leeds council financing York's CC part of the new stand to enable them to keep their test match status?

When the big lad was in charge of the game didn't he use sell outs one year as a pre season measure of success?

Quote: little wayne69 "Isn't Leeds council financing York's CC part of the new stand to enable them to keep their test match status?'" Not exactly - it certainly isn't "financing" it. Leeds CC has brokered an investment with Legal and General on what is essentially a 'sale and lease back' kind of arrangement. LCC can do this as local government can generally borrow at lower rates and given YCC's financial position, there's no way that YCC could have done this by themselves. This bit on Legal and General's website explains moreComprising the redeveloped stand, which sits on the south side of Headingley Cricket Stadium and the adjacent north stand of the Rugby Stadium, the property will be let to Leeds City Council on a 42 year lease, and under-let to the Cricket and Rugby Clubs jointly. Legal & General is financing the circa £35 million redevelopment on behalf of Legal & General Retirement, which invests in high-quality, long-term assets that generate income streams, which match its commitments to pensioners across Britain.'" https://www.legalandgeneralgroup.com/me ... velopment/

Quote: little wayne69 "Isn't Leeds council financing York's CC part of the new stand to enable them to keep their test match status?'" Not exactly - it certainly isn't "financing" it. Leeds CC has brokered an investment with Legal and General on what is essentially a 'sale and lease back' kind of arrangement. LCC can do this as local government can generally borrow at lower rates and given YCC's financial position, there's no way that YCC could have done this by themselves. This bit on Legal and General's website explains moreComprising the redeveloped stand, which sits on the south side of Headingley Cricket Stadium and the adjacent north stand of the Rugby Stadium, the property will be let to Leeds City Council on a 42 year lease, and under-let to the Cricket and Rugby Clubs jointly. Legal & General is financing the circa £35 million redevelopment on behalf of Legal & General Retirement, which invests in high-quality, long-term assets that generate income streams, which match its commitments to pensioners across Britain.'" https://www.legalandgeneralgroup.com/me ... velopment/

He certainly did and despite the game not hitting those targets, he walked away with a huge wedge

Having said that, each club should be setting financial and performance targets anyway, every business needs to grow.