Quote Originally Posted by Arblasterfromthepast View Post
Thanks for your response, Animal. My comments come from the heart and a place of nostalgia. I used to be into watching the rugby league on TV, Challenge Cup final as well, up to my early 20s. Much prefer it to Union. Having lived in the Warrington area and Salford area I have an inkling of what it’s like to be one of the fans. But I’m afraid my knowledge of the off-field issues regarding ownership and politics of the game are scant to say the least. So, it was interesting to hear your thoughts.
It's a sport that I’ve let slip really, having promised myself for years that I’d go to a live game. I must do this soon, but I suppose that I’ve been put off in recent years by the Super League banner. I’ve no real affiliation club wise although I suppose I tended to support Leeds slightly more than any other club. You’ve made me think again and now I’ve decided that maybe the way to go is to choose one of the smaller clubs i.e. outside the Super League and go to watch a match there. It’ll come down to a choice of name in the end; some great names already mentioned in this thread such as Featherstone Rovers. I need to get organised and do it!
It’s funny how your views change over your life. I have a stepson who’s supported Wednesday from birth. He’s recently given up his season ticket and now spends his leisure time following Yorkshire cricket when he can, Sheffield rugby league club and Stocksbridge Park Steels, home and away. Talking to him, he really gets the feeling of being part of it, especially with Park Steels. Watching the top teams is not always everyone’s choice and long may that continue.
I think Arby one of the problems Rugby League has had in the Sky and tv dominated era is that Rugby League had too many club's for the catchment area it's served .

These club's were obviously formed in different times when the only way to see Rugby League was to go every week and support your local club and in those days the game was sustainable with players playing for beer tokens to supplement a mining wage or a position in the textile industry .

There are three clubs alone in the Wakefield area of course , the distance between Dewsbury and Batley is measured in minutes , it's literally 5 minutes between both grounds .

There were three club's in Leeds , Leeds , Hunslet and Bramley in a city with only one football club .

It was never going to stand the test of time when the game went fully professional and the formation of Super League .

Super League had to go fully professional to produce a product that would attract the Sky money to sustain the game .

The lads from that bygone era we remember with fondness playing on mudheaps in the middle of winter wouldn't have attracted today's tv audience or the money that goes with it .

They were great players of their time but the players today are stronger , faster and they hit harder , proper athletes today .

When we play Featherstone in the Challenge Cup in March it was a reminder of those days , the pitch was horrific , it poured with rain all afternoon and it was freezing cold , you couldn't distinguish between the Trinity shirt from the Fev after 10 minutes .

It was enjoyable only if you watched the game when this was the norm back in the day , it was just attrition .

You couldn't possibly sell that product today with a younger generation .