Id be interested to know rovers fans thoughts on when the relationship between the clubs became so bitter in the recent past. The fans have always had the banter etc which on a couple of occasions perhaps went a little too far.

I started going to rugby in the early 80's and seem to remember there not being any real animosity between the likes of Colin Hutton and Roy Waudby, but those were days of trophy wins and finals on both sides of he river.

Was it that rovers looked with envy on Hull during the 2003-2006 period of Hull's relative success whist rovers were in the lower league? Was it that Hetherington / Plummer didn't understand the level of rivalry between the two after rovers are promoted? Was it the Cooke transfer?

Personally I think both Pearson and Hudgell have done a reasonable job at trying to bring the RL community in Hull a bit closer. The rivalry and the banter should always be there, a merger should never happen, there is too much history between the clubs to throw it away in a forced amalgamation.

I think you will be surprised at the number of rovers fans who will be in the West Upper, it will be a much more even split than just pockets of rovers fans.

Personally I started following Rovers in the 80's due to a family connection who lived next to the old ground. Back in those days I didn't get the impression the rivalry was over the top, and indeed the split between support numbers was a lot more even than it seems to be nowadays which is probably why the relationship has changed. For my personal experience we've had people incredulous as to why we support Rovers. It's almost seen as a betrayal. I think the doldrum years for us and the new stadium for them, plus the admittedly far superior marketing machine FC have, has changed the dynamics between the fans. It's very much a thorn in their side type of relationship rather than anything based on an even keel. If we beat them it's always 'well it is your Cup Final', if they beat us we get 'this City is ours' etc.

Hope Friday goes ok but I can see me falling out with some people whatever the result

indeed the split between support numbers was a lot more even than it seems to be nowadays which is probably why the relationship has changed.

I have always viewed their attendance figures with an element of suspicion.Not saying that they don,t get decent gates, they do(although they are unbelievably fickle), but sometimes the gate figure given seems high compared to the actual physical fans in situ. Even their own supporters have sometimes seemed baffled by the given attendance.
I heard from a friend of a friend, admittedly don,t know if it,s a fact, that when they "moved in" to the KC that a figure was agreed to "in effect" enhance/improve/buy??? a number of seats which would assist the re-location...
I don,t know if there is any substance in this or if it is complete rubbish, and not saying this is fact, but would be grateful if anyone more knowledgeable than me knows if there is any substance to this.
If it was factual,it would be another thing to wind them up with, if not, so be it and that,s the end of it.

If being the key word there!!!

Also, why would this wind anyone up??

The gates announced for games at the KC are based on tickets sold (which inevitably will be more than those in attendance)

I notice Malt Shovel has had a facelift. Probably pop in there and Griff for a scoop

You mean they’ve cleaned it and got rid of the smackheads

Good pint in Malt. Decent landlord, think he's North Ferriby soccer and a Rovers man? Brownies is the one I wouldn't go in

Wake up everybody, it's cup final day

Refs appaling. 2 blatant obstructions and 1 blatant forward pass.

This has got shellacking written all over it

Done well to still be in it with some of the decisions that have gone against us in the first half, usually levels itself over the course of a match as we well know. So hopefully we’ll get a few wrong decisions for us in the second.

Look a lot more assured after switching Oakes with Crooks.

Granted we’ve been on the end of a couple of iffy calls, but basic errors are killing us

Absolutely pathetic in the final 15 minutes. Starting to actually doubt Sheens.

im affraid there are a few players who should never wear the shirt again warrington on monday anybody? the signs were there when leigh should have beat us, no energy im affraid played last 2 games like a championship side a long hard look at recruitment needs to take place not just on the basis of this game, the writing has been on the wall just hope london keep losing