Quote: WYSIWYG2 "Jack Gaskell, you put up a very good argument and I respect your views but I have to differ. No matter what DB does he will find it difficult to get above the 6-7000 average and further down the line this won't be good enough for IMG. They will want 15000+ crowds.
I'm just being realistic. IMG will want big clubs and expansion clubs. This will be later in their 12 year tenure for re-imagining the game, and that is the word you all need to focus on - RE-IMAGINING. By the end of their 12 years Rugby will be totally different. They want a National game and that means mergers and franchises and, as I stated, a possible reunification of the 2 codes.
If IMG want big clubs, it doesn't matter how passionate DB is. What IMG want they will get because they are in it to make money and sentiment definitely doesn't play a part with IMG.
I fear for clubs like Leigh, Cas, Wakey, Huddersfield and maybe HKR and Salford, although they will want a team playing out of Manchester, and I should imagine they will want to keep the Hull derby.
For the next few years you will enjoy a lot of success watching the Leopards, so enjoy it. I've found other things to do with my weekends now so I will never be back with the inflated admission fee.
DB was reported as saying something with the initial rebrand to Leopards. That's what got my alarm bells ringing. I can't remember the exact wording but it hinted that they would be known as the Leopards and so they could be pushed as the Leopards on social media and thus increase their social media following. So, if you build a good following in other parts of the country, the next step is to take a few games on the road to build on that following. Catalans did it when they played Wiggin at the Nou Camp for the record SL attendance. I'm sure a few clubs may try it out just to try and impress IMG.'"
So you fear for HKR but yet imagine they will still want a Hull derby ! Talking absolute nonsense.
Codes merging? Again absolutely ridiculous statement. That will never ever happen .