Oldham got 603 against Oxford today, just 60 less than they got for their local 'derby' against Rochdale the other week.

I remember them getting almost 10 times that many a decade ago against Leigh , as somebody put earlier, both clubs are almost dead

That quite clearly wasn't my point. My point is that if they die, it's not the fault of the expansion clubs.

Did I suggest otherwise?

It is the perception of the competition by those outside it, that could end up dropping into it, much like the SL clubs perception of the Championship that the SL clubs cannot drop into

That and there wouldn't be any away fans.

I found this very interesting-

Are these pro or semi pro clubs? Makes you wonder how they can operate on crowds like that.

They're semi pro clubs mate

I think the thing is with Union, it is played and watched by the establishment, and there will always be people to prop clubs up. We obviously don't have that, and too many clubs are run like Working Men's Clubs. Championship 1 seems to be showing though that if done properly, expansion can work well. It will be very interesting to see how things develop over the next few years.

I am looking forwards to Coventry joining the league, they are already run like a professional outfit. Their website puts most in Super League to shame.

I know I'm risking being banned for making an optimistic suggstion, but could this mean that now the club's got a settled base that the support's drifting back?

Pardon my ignorance, but is there P & R between C1 and the Championship?

Yes there is - 2 up 2 down I think

P+R is back to how it was before last season
1st-automatic promotion
2-7 playoffs, grand final winner promoted

bottom 2 in championship go down

Are there any plans to increase the amount of teams in C1?

Coventry Bears are set to join in 2014. Northampton were supposed to be in the league this year but backed out.