Quote: jinkin jimmy "I never missed a game back then ....'"
And my post wasn't aimed at anyone in particular - It just pointed out that late 80's/Early 90's people found the time, found the money to attend Cup Semi Finals & Finals along with regular season games.
Believe it or not the crowds up until last year and this (Not sure what average is currently for this year) weren't too dissimilar to those of the "Glory Years".
Yet any cup match/Semi final etc. back then didn't see the drop off we see now for play offs/Semi finals.
Even as little as 15 years ago we regularly had play off attendances between 10k at it's lowest up to 20k at it's highest and games against Wakefield/Hull/Cas attracted 10-15k
Something has happened and with the rise in Season Ticket/Membership culture it seems to be proving more difficult to get people to "Walk up" for Semi Finals & Finals
I don't buy into the Cheaper ticket argument as 20/30 years ago we didn't reduce tickets or offer any more incentive than we get now (Less in fact).
I also can't understand how people follow with season tickets all year and then don't want to go to what are in effect Qtr & Semi finals
Anyway - Said it before - We as fans have a part to play
Good to hear people on RL Backchat saying what I've kind of been saying for a couple of years & that were our own worst enemy at times.
Talking the game down, criticising everything etc.
FWIW I do agree that the game may not quite have the same amount of or standards/stars of a few years back.
But on the other hand the amount of "Good" teams on top of the traditional big 4/5 (London/Salford/Cas & Wakey of the last couple of years/Hull with CC wins etc.) has increased and I have thoroughly enjoyed this season and watched & had interest in more games overall this year than the last 5/6/7 so to me they have improved things in a short period of time.
If Everyone sits back and complains nothing will improve, we have to be part of the solution.
Get behind the game, get behind the club, talk positively when we can with as much Gusto & enthusiasm as some people do when the slightest thing is wrong then we can promote the game, enthuse others etc.
Because if We don't do it (And the clubs I agree) then who will?
And as I always say we'll all get what we deserve if the game keeps diminishing.