Anyone who thought that Bradford wouldn't have been brought even more together by what's happened to them this week knows nothing about team sport. It was always going to be difficult for Wigan, they were on a hiding to nothing.
They were deserved winners, but Wigan contributed to their own downfall with some terrible sloppy play.

Those Bradford players and their fans did their club proud tonight.

Never been prouder. Not a lot of players would sing to their fans at the end. Its a tough time for everyone. I think that on spirit and determination alone we deserved to win tonight. Despite reservations on it being `our own fault` its very difficult when its the club you love. Thanks for the hospitality

You are not wrong there. Wasn't it him who forced the pass just before half time after we had scored? No need for it.

There were other culprits though. Lauaki was just as bad giving away a penalty about 30m out while in possession and they scored in the next set. Farrell passing twice instead of scoring twice. Micky Mac's antics need no commentary. Architects of their own downfall.

As to clapping a team on, we clap all teams on and always have done for as long as I can remember. Bradford going bust had nothing to do with that.

we often get the away team's coach climbing the steps past us in the west stand. they almost always get a round of applause simply because it's the right thing to do. There are managers i'd rather see trip & break something on the way back down, but this is rugby not soccer and respecting the other side is part of what differentiates us from the rabid thugs that sit in our seats when we're not there.

I clapped bradford on tonight because the players could be without a salary in 10 days time, those players such as ainscough and pryce once played for our club and we supported them. They provided us with entertainment but yet could lose their careers shortly. I feel sorry for the players, fans and other employees of the club. How would you feel if your employer told you that within 10 days you could be unemployed and there was nothing you could do about it? I have huge respect for the bradford club, bar directors, for tonight.

The reason people applaud is due to sportsmanship. Something that is being forgotten due to the all-conquering might of professional soccer.

Every time I've seen you play there. You're welcome.

I've always said this. It does my head in. It's not a game of chess! And we don't clap Wire, Leeds or Saints onto the pitch, as they are a threat. People only ever clap when the teams either haven't brought any fans like Catalans, London or Crusaders, or if they pose no threat and everyone feels sorry for them.

It's not down to sportsmanship in the main. Fair enough to those who clap every team every week but that wasn't the case last night. I have never seen an away side get a standing ovation coming on to the pitch. It was pure patronising sympathetic applause in the main.

Got that wrong last night!! I had a good chat with a few Wigan fans in the North stand and all wished us well. I usually clap the opposing team if they put in a fantastic performance, don't tend to clap beforehand though. Been a tough few weeks though.

Ever since I first started watching the game in the early 1980s it has been customary to clap both teams as they take to the pitch, particularly at home games where, as a representative of the home club, you are acting as a host to the visiting team and its supporters. It is a simple gesture, but I think an important one. It has always been part of my experience of rugby league matches, as has applauding any good play or tries scored by the opposition team, standing respectfully for the anthems of other nations etc. These things are the foundations of our game - foundations built from sportsmanship, shared values and the sense of solidarity that helps rugby league to be a "family" game on so many different levels. These things have been fundamental to our survivial and development as a sport and I would not wish to see them slipping away from us. Rather, they are values that I believe we should be upholding and actively promoting.
I wasn't at the game last night and so I did not witness the event, but the thought that our fans gave the Bradford team and its supporters such a warm welcome, bearing in mind their club's current predicament, is one that makes me happy. They are, after all, part of our rugby league family.
What is the percieved danger of such gestures? That somehow such gallant conduct will result in our team suffering more losses? I find that to be a naive and somewhat shallow view. You could even argue that it has the slight whiff of sour grapes following Wigan's loss.

That's where the applauding after the final hooter comes into play. Why do we 'boo' Saints and Wire, when one of the biggest cheers of the night was Bradford coming onto the field.
The applause seemed sympathetic and patronising. 'Aww, here's Bradford, aren't they cute, let's all clap them.'

Does anyone in this thread really think that an applause or boo makes a jot of difference to the players?

Unfortunately I couldn't make the game last night as I didn't leave London until 7.30 - so thank you Bilko for the updates on Twitter.

I would have applauded the Bulls onto the field last night to not only show sympathy to the plight of the players and fans because of things completely out of their control done to their club by morons, but also to show solidarity with them.

I can't say I've ever clapped the opposition onto the field.

If a team scores a good try then fair play I may give a quite clap and say it was a good try, but that usually falls on deaf ears. I will not always clap the opposition off, but if it's been a tough game I generally will.

I tend to clap the winners at finals, but it's got a bit much recently.