no need for professional sport for growth to take place in schools, take basket ball for example - one of biggest sports in schools but no realistic prospect of playing it pro.

Pro RL in London is like the kings invisible clothes - no one in the RL media cabal feels brave enough to state what is blindingly obvious to us peasants on the terraces. No one cares about pro RL in London save a few hundred die hards (for whom I have considerable respect by the way). RL in the UK as a professional sport is an M62 corridore sport. No shame in that - done fine for over 100 years. 30 years of trying in London and the club have failed to develop a sustainable spectator base despite positive measure after positive measure to help them on and off the field.

The RFL higher ups rhetoric of 'we need a club in the capital' is short hand for 'we want to be governing body for a national sport and a club in London tickles that part of our ego.'

bit of a pointless debate, london along with every other sl club who does not either have a backer or a ground sharing deal with a soccer club is screwed financially, or competitavely, and before someone crows oooh leeds dont bother, because i cant be bothered explaining why you are wrong.

oh ok image rights and a kick and clap club help too




sorry

Local rivalary, derby games, bragging rights etc at whatever level will bring more development of players and supporters than one floundering SL club that nobody cares about, ever will.

Exactly. A strong London with home gown players would indicate a strong SL

That as well!