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 .

IMG can want what they like, if the fans don’t like it and vote with there feet and won’t turn up, it turns to custard.

£25 is ok when your working but as a concession for seniors it's a non-starter in this economic climate and ridiculous energy bills. I've watched them through thick and thin for decades so I'm not the problem, the concessions for seniors is the problem. If people can't afford it they can't afford it, it doesn't matter if you can pay by direct debit if you haven't got enough to pay the direct debit.

You can all stick your head in the sand but IMG want big clubs with 15000+ crowds. Franchises and mergers will be brought in just as licensing has and yes, at some point in the future the 2 codes will reunite. Both codes are struggling financially and it's the only way to get a National game.

Enjoy the ride because Leigh will have success over the next few years but by the time IMG have finished with their re-imagining only the select few will be in the top league and the smaller clubs won't be in it.

How much should a concession ticket be then in you’re opinion?

Think I’m right in saying £24 this year as opposed to £17 last ?
Although a £7 increase , 17 last year does seem relatively cheap.
£20/21 May of been a bit fairer but as stated , everything world wide has gone up , so in turn I assume Leighs rent would have increased , extra stewards required not to mention all the extra value from players to entertainment.
Unfortunately some people can go some people can’t , it’s the way of the world . In years gone by I’ve not been in the position to go every game so I picked and chose which I could afford.

You change the brand to raise the profile of the club. Leigh don’t have a ground bought by Tescos, wire do.
You will never see a merger at Leigh. The club would die first.

The opportunity for Leigh to 'grow' their brand will be the last game of the season v Wigan. Would be even better if we had still something to play for.

I would play it at Bolton. It would generate a great crowd and would tap into outer areas like Westhoughton, Horwich, Daisy Hill, Bents, Bongs and a huge Town like Bolton itself.

Wigan would bring double to Bolton for sure !

Always great to get more fans in but we are doing better than some others given town size ie Hudds, Salford, Waky. With another year in SL [fingers crossed] gives us opportunity to reach further than just the Leigh boundary, marketing to towns adjacent would add 40k of potential fans base. Just 10% of these gives us around 10k+ per match. Think the challenge from IMG is growing fans bases if we start filling grounds in the heartlands this creates more interest for TV and attract new team start ups in other areas.

Is there sufficient a stadium in Bolton? Walking down Hope Street, Leigh, on a clear day you'd think that you could reach out and grab that little stick atop Winter Hill. But that little stick is blummin' huge and, at Bongser's age, takes a good 30 seconds and more to circumnavigate.

Point? Horwich is a lot further away than Bolton.

Presume CowYed is from Westhoughton anyway. Bongser lives in Bent. The latent interest is there. But there are far too many Wiggin shirts around Atherton. Glory seekers (from the old Leigh vills) will stay reflected glory seekers until Leigh pick up some serious silverware again.

For Bongser, it should be best 17 for the C Cup tie next week.

I more than get your point Bongser but as an Exiled Leyther living in Warrington and being a Wanderers fan to boot, there are far more connections with both clubs than there are with Wigan.

Bolton is a huge Town, and although it may be a little further away, easy to get to and it doesnt stop 20k week in a week out watching an average football team play in Championship 1.

Point ? Nothing to lose, spread the brand, day out and no doubt far more than the 9100 in the previous fixture v the crustmunchers will attend !

Another great win last night, so happy days !

Pies appointed full time development officer to bolton after world cup
they got bit over 20k at that fixture with all the promotion
dont know if pies do any of the fabled marketing around bolton if so what form it takes anyone know?bolton town centre resembles Beirut
we have posters round town and have been into schools i believe including bent and bongs?
think we should look to fill lsv. elvis on the pitch gives us lots more seats

Friday is a must for the big clubs as that is when they fill hospitality

Wikipedia states Leigh`s population is only 41,250.