The BIG problem here might be that Sky are the only bidder. It's a massive concern is the next TV rights deal.

Back in 1996, would Wigan and St Helens been happy with a merger of their two clubs. Yes, or no?

The answer is almost certainly no, but then if Saints and Wigan were to disappear from the game, and take their famous rivalry with them, that would also have been damaging.

However, back in '96 some clubs could have merged and the game might have benefitted. I'm thinking the Cumbrian clubs, clubs in east Manchester like Rochdale and Oldham, some of the smaller clubs in Yorkshire. Don't know how much they'd all have been strengthened in truth, though I'm sure that Cumbria could still put out a decent side if they pooled their resources.

I seem to recall Hull merging with Gateshead and Huddersfield merging with Sheffield. Since the merger, how many home games have Hull played in the NE of England, and how many home games have Huddersfield played outside of Huddersfield?

Not to RL out side your areas it wouldn't.

it would for away following

Even pretending you believe that makes you look smalltime.

Nope did us no harm in 1980 when Wigan were smalltime!

Why Wigan and Saints fans think the whole of SL revolves around that derby game?...it just makes me smile.

Welcome to my ignore list.

Ouch.

If that's the point you think I was making, smile away.

But it's a hollow victory, because all it does is underline the parochialism that causes us so much difficulty.

I had to Google that to be sure you wasn't talking about Hardaker.

we were still bigger than you in a lower league, what about Saints then? Did you miss their attendances also?

That's a good line, but basically you're letting your visceral dislike of Wigan get in the way of seeing the bigger picture.

Don't worry though. There are thousands of you who do that. Which is another problem the game has.

That's unfair as I don't always read that comic at breakfast.