Quite apart from the result, the biggest disappointment to me was the the size of the crowd.
HKR and Warrington are both well supported clubs, and there were other finals taking place as well. 
I believe the gate was just over 63k!
Just my personal opinion but the magic of the challenge cup final at Wembley seems to have lost its magic to thousands of people.
I'd prefer it played in a full Old Trafford.
Doesn't look good on tv with huge unpopulated areas!

Totally agree on the attendance 1315, and the reason, but not the solution. My wife (who barely watches) didn’t understand why there were empty seats at a final, and it was a bit embarrassing explaining why.


I could’ve gone, and usually do, but didn’t. Main reason is because I’ll be going back to Wembley for the ashes in November, and I imagine that was on the mind of a lot of neutral/England fans.


I don’t think any two clubs could sell it out now. Wigan and Leeds obviously the most likely, but even then… 


Obviously back in the day the cup was the ultimate accomplishment. But I’m in my mid 30s, and I don’t understand why the cup final ever sold out. You have to play 4 games to get there, and 2 are usually walkovers if you’re an SL club. 


But I don’t think the solution is Old Trafford. You’d have the same issue with getting neutral fans to go to two big games at the same stadium, so both events end up being cannibalised. And it would consign us to being viewed as a strictly northern sport.


It’s hard because there’s not a load of money about, but I’d love to see cup final day being turned into a big party day with all the tradition baked in. DJs, stages outside, maybe a big halftime act, anything you can do to make it something fair weather fans would have to attend. Bit like Union 7s, NFL or NRL in Las Vegas. 

I think the issue is that in years gone by, many more neutrals went to the Wembley final because it's was a big sporting event, even out of RL.
Unfortunately it isn't now, and there are many more attractions for people nowadays so we have to accept that. 
I personally feel Wembley is just a hike too far and the final would be a better occasion if it was held in the area RL is played. 

Well if following them leads to us abandoning the Academy production line I cant say as I'm in favour.  Would prefer to follow the Leeds or Wigan blueprint.

They have a massive academy 


Wigan's success story is built on being consistently successful for 70 years. We are not on that journey 

I meant regarding the bringing through of our own youth.  

What's the point of a massive ornamental academy with no one progressing to regular 1st team due to lack of opportunity?   

They get the pick of the bunch but at a cost - so many good players have come through the Wigan ranks and never donned the shirt, but made it big with other clubs. We've had our share of them in the past!

Sneyd's kicking game was excellent and he was the MOM, no question.
A really lucky try at the end but, there was nothing much in the game.
Both sides seemed to be playing not to lose, rather than trying to win but, 
due to the low/close score it was edge of your seat stuff.

HKR buy for now, we are building for a future, so similar but not the same.


A few of our fans need to remember that too.