So he acknowledges their crowds are poor, then suggest their strength is the community development and the number of clubs playing Rugby League. Surely this is any area where we also beat them, our community programme is well respected and the quantity and quality of clubs and schools who play rugby in the Wakefield district is exceptional.

It seems the RFL are determined to bring in and continue with Expansion clubs regardless of sustainability. This should be a long long long term view. Not a boom and bust approach currently imployed

If the clubs end up running the sport again we really will be in trouble.

As far as I am aware the clubs vote on all changes to rules, franchising, number of clubs involved so therefore do have a massive say in how the game is run. Harlequins need a stable base to play from only then will they build up any kind of decent support. The constant moves around London have not helped them and has lead to a club with little to no identity within any particular area. If they are able to stay at Quins for good then maybe they can start to build a decent support in that area.

From a Wakey position we need to work alongside Mr Glover to get 10,000 Wakefield fans through the gates for each home game regardless of how many supporters the opposition bring.

"A London club has been involved in the top level of rugby league since Super League was set up in 1996"

15 years and they still can't get the fans interested

How long are they going to keep at it

Flogging a dead hoss springs to mind.

And our excuse since 1999 is?

Leeds
Bradford
Castleford
The glory supporters wanted success

.

I live near Cas but was born in Wakey so my allegiance (if the right word) lies with Wakefield.

SIMPLE

Tansey-esque?

A chairman that was interested in M&S suits and our ground as had its day. Newmarket will bring in tons of new faces. Did wire and hull build there crowds at there old grounds??? The answer is NO !!!!!!

How ironic that if London (in whatever guise) weren't in SL then the pot and our share thereof would have been much less and we would have most probably hit administration much sooner than we did.

Why do so many people fail to grasp why and how they are important...... ?

As others have mentioned, lets get our own house in order before we start throwing stones.

Some fair points. For me the RFL don't help themselves or Quins with the charade of making them apply for a license like everyone else. Just be open and say that the expansion clubs are exempt and everyone else has to fight it out. At least all the clubs then know where they stand.

I think being 'Quins' has helped them lose fans,any casual union/league fan that supports London Irish/ Saracens etc etc won't support a club called Harlequins, would Wakey fans follow the same team if they had to play at Castleford and be called Castleford Wildcats ? plus they are on the outer edge of London, being more central would help them, there are loads of reasons they struggle with fans BUT all that aside the game of RL is taking off down here and the RFL recognise that they need a Pro outlet for emerging talent or they will lose players to union.

To be fair we are averaging nearly double thier crowds.

FWIW I do think Lewis makes some valid points though.