If the weather is crap, Trinity lose approximately £30K per match due to people staying away. With potentially 35 more home games to consider, perhaps the cost will balance itself out over time.

Only 100 , shame on them, it's only down the road

Have to say we are on thin ice when it comes to preaching to others about crowds - however Hudds fans are under the ice.

Nearly 14 years of relentless support from the RFL and very rich benefactor - a free SOA Stadium - and in recent times some great players and a CCup final. I'd like to think that with those benefits we'd be up there with Wigan and Leeds both on and off the park - a bit like Warrington.

I remember playing Hudds in a CCup game in the early 90's. It was an easy win against a team who couldn't even afford to give there players matching socks! At that point we were a top 8 club with similar gates to now and a fair few Internationals in the team and we were still relatively skint. However we were kept afloat because we had just enough of hard core of fan base. It was never enough to make us real contenders but always enough to allow us to survive and occasionally compete. That's what Wakey fans mean when they refer to us as a real club, we managed to survive in SL on our own up until last year, all be it by the finger nails. Not many clubs can do that.

Everything has changed around since then except for one thing - Hudds traveling support was a few hundred then and it's not much more now.

What that tells me and has been noted on here already is that when Uncle Ken calls it a day and the freebies stop and other clubs get new Stadiums Hudds will IMHO struggle and will eventually wither. At that point we will see their true support - guarantee it won't be as solid as ours is when we are on our knees which is more often than not.

I reckon our hard core dropped to around 1800 at it's worse (late 90's) yet even that figure was beyond the wildest dreams of the old Fartown set up - we shall see.

I get your point, though believe me that stand and the one over the Kop will be most welcome over the next few years. So I don't think it's purely cosmetic - but if we are in N/M by 2014 it's fair to say we could have managed without it - we have so far.

I reckon it's as much about the new club gaining credibility within the game and living up to it's promises than anything else. I can understand why the RFL and others would require that assurance. What I don't get is why Bradford manage to secure millions on a nod and a wink!

Oh well.

I just don't see how that sideless/backless structure which 'covers' an area of terracing already fully occupied in all weathers is going to help....however a meaningful stand at the North end should.

"What that tells me and has been noted on here already is that when Uncle Ken calls it a day and the freebies stop and other clubs get new Stadiums Hudds will IMHO struggle and will eventually wither"

Is there any suggestion that Ken Davey is ready to step down ?
Why are Hudds perceived to not have the ability to replace Davey with another benefactor ?

Ah. I see what you’re getting at now. Yes the North stand should see much more benefit than the small covered section on the Western Terrace. Regardless, it still makes the match day environment 100% better on a rainy day for the home supporters who gather there. Also any fair weather supporters may consider going when it persisting it down if they thought they could stand under the roof as opposed to completely giving it a miss.

Before Ken there was nothing - you work it out.

Unfortuinately, there isnt a mystic place where a team can suddenly "find" a benefactor.
There are plenty of wealthy people in the world, but not quite so many who would wish to spend their cash on Rugby League.
Imagine Chelsae without Abramovich or Man City without their wealthy backers. These people can create a false sense of a clubs wealth.

I know what you are saying Vasty. KD has made Hudds out of a wad of cash. But support has increased considerably over the last 6 seasons. I have no doubt they are still been propped up by massive handouts from KD but who's to say when he goes that another white knight won't replace him.

Ask Bradford fans how likely that will be (notwithstanding the RFL of course).

Looks like Ossett Town without the seats.

will that bit of roof have a back on it then or is it staying like that? gonna seem weird seeing Belle Vue with a roof !

So you're the ONE that's coming over from Huddersfield !!!!!

Daz, you'll be complaining on Sunday that the sun was shining and the roof was blocking your chances of an early season tan. It's [itemporary[/i, mate... consider it as a goodwill gesture, if you like. Enjoy the game on Sunday... bring a pal, or two.