I'm actually with Phipps on this one. I'm not in any way not backing our troops, what they do is amazing. However they know what they are getting in to, are they any more deserving than firefighters?

Or the Policeman on solo patrol who has to wade into an incident of street disorder to arrest a violent offender who has been kicking someones head in.

Or the Paramedic who is threatened with a syringe filled with HIV contaminated blood whilst trying to save a druggies life.

Or the nurse who is spat on and assaulted by some urine head in casualty in any hospital across Britain on any Saturday night.


I'm certainly not anti HM Forces at all, but if you are going to give away tickets then why not extend it to all the emergency services?

It is a very good gesture by the RFL (although perhaps a tad late?).

To answer the questions above

As a recent ex member of the armed forces it is very welcome. What people should realize is that it can be a nightmare trying to get to sporting events, due to the fact that you spend so much time outside of the UK.

It can be very hard to justify nipping down to Wales for the weekend, when you have just spent the last few weeks / months away from you family and friends. Add to this the sheer amount of sport you miss when you are away.

The offer of a freebie will defiantly help.

One thing though, is i would hate to think that the RFL have only offered the free tickets in light of the (possible) poor attendance? its only a week away.

Firefighters, police, paramedics etc are all worthy of the highest praise. But if there is a difference it's in their pay. Young guys (and girls) in the military are putting their necks on the line for just 17k, which I believe is considerably less than the other "emergency" professions.

So you think they should get free tickets because they only earn 17K a year?

PHIPPS...stop being a c()nt.

The gesture is a good one....and I am sure that it was made with good intentions. If you want to be pedantic, you could argue that a number of different professions should be included, but this time, it has been made to members of the Armed Forces.
Well done RFL.

Always seeing the negatives in a positive story. Vintage.

it would not be RL fans without it.

...nah, you're just being a c()nt

How many members of the Armed forces have gave there lives for this country since the start of the year and how many have all the other emergency services in the whole of the previous year? Phipps your being a d11ck.

It has always gone on I got a ticket for an FA cup final involving spurs once and gave them away to a spurs fan, made his day.

I remember Wimbledon seats being touted around the barrack blocks once or twice and of course RU used to host games at Twickers for the forces with thousands in attendance.

The annual Army and Navy match still goes on at Twickers and is rammed with members of the armed forces. Fantastic day out and my whole ship would get involved and we'd take 2 or 3 coach loads.

Next year make it an Army v Navy opener on the Saturday.

Allows the 14 SL clubs to play as normal but evens up the number
of matches each day.

Massive publicity, and it becomes RL version of the forces game at Twickenham.

A pritty decent shout that