Quote: Paul Youane "I note the U20’s have a friendly arranged for this weekendhttps://forums.rlfans.com/viewtopic.php?f
This got me thinking as I watch a fair bit of the “stiffs” and the Academy and to be honest I’ve never been one in support of them playing before the first team as Wilderspool on a Saturday afternoon suits me fine.
The problem with playing before the first team is that to allow for the pre-match “show” and first team warm-up they have to kick off the Academy at 12.30pm. This is just far too early to get in the stadium and gives you the best part of an hour after the Academy finishes before the main match kicks off.
It is also un-fair on away supporters of the Academy opposition (I accept this could be irrelevant if it’s the same club as the first team match and I haven’t checked) as they have to pay Super league prices to get in and watch. You do actually get a fair away support at these games even if it is made up of family and friends of the players (and I seem to recall The Latch telling us all about his journey to watch the Academy at Wakefield the day after the first team played there, so its not all family and friends).
From the fixtures it looks like at least six u20’s games will be on before the first team. I know that the majority of people will say it’s a good idea but in truth how many of them will actually get to the stadium early to watch the match. When they have played before the first team previously there has been less in the ground fro the majority of the match than what you get at Wilderspool on a Saturday.
I wonder how many Wilderspool regulars will now miss these matches and will anybody, who doesn’t frequent Wilderspool normally, honestly make the effort to watch the u20’s games?'"
It's a great post, Mr Y. See, I've never before considered going early and I've always been interested in seeing how the Academy lot get on, but just never had the inkling to go down there and watch a game. However, as you have said that there might be at least 6 games on prior to the Super League games, I might make more of an effort to get down there early doors and watch a couple of the matches.
Gives me a chance to get out of the house, watch a style of RL that I'm normally not accustomed to, and also get my spec for the SL game. Plus it gives people like me a chance to see the future stars of the Warrington Wolves.
I don't mind the hour difference between the end of one game and the start of another. I have several mp4 movie files downloaded onto my iPod so that will pass the time until kick off.
