Whose idea was it to have the Challenge Cup semi-finals a fortnight before the final?

Why would you give people the supporters of the finalists such a short space of time to plan a 200 mile trip to the capital? There is the financial planning, the time off work as not everyone gets every bank holiday off, the arranging of travel.

Getting a cheap train fare to London on a bank holiday weekend will be nigh on impossible. Getting cover at work on a bank holiday weekend will be very difficult at such short notice.

If the people who make these decisions are so far removed from the reality of every day lives then they need replacing with someone more in touch with the people who fund the game.

If TV schedules are to blame that is no excuse, a set of potential dates should be presented to the companies and they pick the best one for them, they should not be dictating beyond that.

Got to agree why we do not go back to the old ways and have the final in may baffles me no wonder people don't go to the c cup rounds any more, time to change hope when sky starts it instead of the BBC it might change for the better

The last thing on the RFL agenda when planning anything is the fans.

Just do what I do when my team get to the semi-final - Make a provisional booking at a hotel [One you can cancel without a charge], also make a plan of how to get down, coach, train, plane, drive etc. That way, when your club gets through, the hotel is already booked, and you've already made your plans on how to get down. As well as earmarked the money you will need.

At least (through good sense or sheer luck) there isn't a game scheduled for 8pm this Thursday.

The logical thing would be to have 1 round per month for the Pro/Semi Pro teams starting from March. (Round 3 March, Round 4 April, 5 May, etc)

Of course, Logic and the RFL go together like Milk & Vinegar.

The CC scheduling is awful and I think it goes along way to galvanise the apathy of the fans towards every round apart from the final. 5 weeks between 5R and QF then 9 weeks between QF and SF giving only 2 weeks to sort out tickets, travel and accommadation for the final is barmy.

If the final is moving back to May (which it should IMO) then it could quite easily be worked around:

4R - February
5R - March
QF - April
SF - early May
F - end of May

I suppose the BBC calls the shots? Let's face it without the BBC the Challenge Cup would be nothing.

Or, support Hull or Rovers and you generally don't have to worry about that sort of thing

Isnt it moving back next year or year after?

Last year a distant memory now?

Don't know what the problem is. Grand Finalists only get a week to plan their travel or get time off work etc.

When London get to the Grand Final - that will be worth mentioning.

Show off

It doesn't affect me it's a long time since my team were there - 1988.

I might go as a neutral and i'm happy to make a late decision, the cost and time of work won't be a factor.

Yes committed supporters can make provisional plans and most will do but such short notice will deter many many casual supporters from the towns of the competing finalists, just the people you need to stop Wembley feeling like a cavernous bowl.