Optimistic note............. Saturday afternoon (chance of drinks before and after the game), local debry, first time in play-offs for Widnes. Could we see our highest play-off attendance in some years and possibly a top 5 , 2014 attendance.

Where are you drinking? 2008?

Beer before the game, beer during the game, beer after the game, our local rivals as the opposition = Stay well clear of town on Saturday

I've only been to a couple of matches this year for a couple of reasons.
Main one - we've been on TV 13 times and as I don't live locally that's quite a saving on petrol and tickets. If I was local I would have gone though.
But also I do understand about 'meaningless' games. If there was only a 'top 4' in the play offs then arguably the pressure would have been on, but from the start of the year - apart from the first few weeks when a lot on here were 'wobbling' - it was fairly clear we'd make the eight.
Now we're in the play offs I'll try to go to all of the matches becasue it's sudden death and you don't get the same atmosphere watching at home.

Come on the Wire !

Costello's Stockton Heath £2.50 pint of Bollingtons cask last night.

Grappenhall Legion £2.50 per pint Carling (mild & bitter are cheaper)

In my younger days I travelled home and away to every game for the best part of 10 years.
I hardly attend a live game these days - and working in the media admission prices are not an issue.
What keeps me away from live games?
1. I can watch more than half of Warrington's games live on TV and highlights from all games. (Warrington's last eight games have all been live on TV!!)
2. The main competition is almost meaningless - finishing top of any league should be the ultimate goal.
3. So much live sport on TV there is always something else to watch
4. Traditional Sunday afternoon games few and far between
5. Too many changes in the game RE relegation and promotion.
6. Summer rugby didn't help as once my kids lost interest they wanted to do something else as a family.

A lot of the people I used to attend with regularly have stopped going saying they have fallen out of love with the game and if you take a family of four to a game now with youngsters over 18 I don't think you will get much change out of £100 for a couple of hours entertainment.

But to me the main reason is the amount of TV coverage.

Even Leeds could only attract just over 7,000 yesterday reflecting the general poor attendances for play-off matches..£28.50 is a fair old wedge of cash in these straitened times. Wouldn't it make for a better spectacle if these games were to be played before a packed stadium if admissions were greatly reduced to a more realistic price ?

The good thing about the play off format is next season the first game that won't be accessible with a season ticket is the semi final, which is obviously a massive game and one which is usually well attended at all clubs.

The current format is far too drawn out and the week one games for the top four teams are training exercises which hardly inspire punters.

Like most other sports in the country RL has been sacrificed on Murdoch's altar of greed....sky's intention is for minimal amounts of spectators at live sports while it beams pictures for you to watch from your armchair.

Incidentally, since football - and Anfield in particular - was dragged into this thread earlier on, you should be thankful that you watch a game which is comparatively under-supported. To give you an example, Liverpool are playing Middlesbrough at home on Tuesday night in the League Cup and tickets start at £25. An unattractive fixture and an overpriced ticket. Anfield will be full though, and anyone who doesn't buy a ticket and have it credited to their season ticket or membership card will almost certainly not be eligible for a Wembley ticket should Liverpool end up in the final of that competition next February. One missed game in an earlier round = no Wembley.

Now if that was a similar story in RL and missing yesterday would have meant you wouldn't get a Grand Final ticket if we make it there, then yesterday's attendance would undoubtedly have been higher, but it would make watching Wires a lot more difficult in general. Knowing that you'll be able to go to absolutely any match you want to regardless of importance, opposition, and whether you have been to any others in your life or not is an absolute luxury that RL fans take for granted. The grass is not greener for the ordinary supporter in other sports.

£1.60 for a pint in the Connie Club!

Pardon ?

The question of money in players pockets makes the difference ;get a contract and hey presto same pay cheque every week.

Play as of old with winning and losing pay and watch the smirking players attitude change

I'll have to take your word for that, as I've never tasted cat p*ss.