It doesn't help when the RFL send out a bucket load of marketing (to people who already know about it anyway) that has Thomas Leuluai as a f*cking centre.

What kind of centre !!!!

You cover some good points. If Widnes get things cracking again and are pulling in crowds, Saints and Salford have their attendences and profile boosted by new stadiums, then the north west is looking very healthy. If we could get Leigh sorted as well we'd look really good.
Quota systems and salary caps have forced clubs into investing in youth, so clubs are now creating their own, at least half decent youngsters, who'll at least play with pride for their clubs, which is what people really want to see.
If that was the case and an England game (like the Knights game last weekend at the LSV) was properly marketed by the RL, I'm sure we could start to get some decent crowds. Maybe even a [iEngland Supporters Club[/i could be started like your brigantes.
As lancastrians, we could take pride in supporting our country in way the yarkshire lot *spit* fail?

Expansion should start with the amature game, which is doing very well in certain areas like London, but the introduction of new clubs should only come when the demand and proven stabilty is there from the local area a la catalans. We have tried to force it too often. Fans from such areas can enjoy superleague on Sky by watching the northern clubs until such time their area can demand a SL francise.
We want a league of 14 healthy clubs, what ever their location.