As you and your alter egos know, whoever loses will put it down to two poor teams.

I dont think they out and out lie but they count passholders who don't turn up and there seems to have been more missing games in our block as its just not 'must see' stuff at the moment, there are then these mysterious tickets the SMC have to buy from us which I assume we class as a sale. Then there are all the kids parading flags, stewards etc which accounts for a few more who in the ground but not actually in the seats

More also sit in the West stand than when it first opened which maybe alters perceptions of how busy it is compared to years ago when it was all about the East stand.

I can remember people saying they announced attendances that were too [ilow[/i. ("No way was there only 11,000 there. It was definitely more like 14,000...")

I’m all for sending out a strong message to protect refs. I feel a bit sorry for Sims but I’ve no problem with the ban in of itself. 3 games is maybe a bit harsh but given he’s retiring after 1, I guess it doesn’t matter. However, given that Logan Astley wasn’t charged for doing the same thing less than half a second earlier, the message is instead one rule for some clubs and another for the rest.

They don’t make it easy to enjoy, do they?

But do they actually count all those things or is that just an assumption? (Genuine question btw, not being snide)

I assumed, perhaps naively, that it would simply have been a case of checking whatever software runs the turnstiles to see hoe many tickets had been scanned in that day. Occam's Razor and all that.

why inflate crowd figures if it affects future costs to smc/tax

I agree to some extent that a strong message needs to be sent out but on the flip side the RFL need to seriously look at the falling standard of the officiating of the game along with disciplinary. I also think the officials under the tenure of Ganson have become somewhat removed from the game/players etc.
The level of disparity in decisions made (or not made) by on field officials but also the VR during a game is a concern added to the retrospective action taken post game that again seems to differ. Then we have the lottery of the disciplinary which just leaves more questions than answers.

I think in some ways the process and people involved in that have gone power crazy and the punishments are just way too aggressive and harsh for a large number of incidents.

The public pay good hard earned money to see the top players but this season we seem to have seen far too many suspensions that really in all honesty have not been warranted and its making the game less attractive. A number of the bans Hull FC have received this season I would not argue with but there have also been a good number that shall I say are very questionable in terms of a ban in the first place or the length/severity for the supposed crime.

No Fash for us

No Litten for Rovers

Both numbers will get logged, the taxman wants to know what £'s the club has made and aren't interested if you've turned up or not, the stadium of course need to know how many have clicked through the turnstiles for health and safety. It is common practice for clubs to use tickets sold as its a slightly higher number and looks better.

Marvellous

Probably our player of the season as well. Just gets worse. Massive boost for Rovers.