Is Super League a good thing? : Sat May 12, 2012 6:33 am  

As a Wakefield supporter who has watch his club struggle with money and squad quality while in Super league I was wondering if the Widnes fans feel that gaining a franchise was a good or a bad thing?

The reason I as this was at one stage it looked like we weren't going to remain in Super League. While this was perceived to be a bad thing seeing my team be competitive in a lower league had it's attractions. Another point is I feel that the Championship is more about the Rugby where as Super League is about how big your stadium is or how much money you have.

I know it is had to get into Super League and be competitive straight away but seasons of regular losses and if you have a good season one or two games in the play offs. Let's face it team with money and long established academys will generally take the spoils. I know your chairman has some money but he will only run at a loss for so long. Can the club generate 10,000 fans per match to make it sustainable and compete in the market for the top quality players?

Re: Is Super League a good thing? : Sat May 12, 2012 8:16 am  

Dannyboywt wrote:

As a Wakefield supporter who has watch his club struggle with money and squad quality while in Super league I was wondering if the Widnes fans feel that gaining a franchise was a good or a bad thing?

The reason I as this was at one stage it looked like we weren't going to remain in Super League. While this was perceived to be a bad thing seeing my team be competitive in a lower league had it's attractions. Another point is I feel that the Championship is more about the Rugby where as Super League is about how big your stadium is or how much money you have.

I know it is had to get into Super League and be competitive straight away but seasons of regular losses and if you have a good season one or two games in the play offs. Let's face it team with money and long established academys will generally take the spoils. I know your chairman has some money but he will only run at a loss for so long. Can the club generate 10,000 fans per match to make it sustainable and compete in the market for the top quality players?

That is the question for all SL clubs, not just Widnes. Possibly TV coverage is too much, and on a wet and windy evening [and we have had a few] there are many who will not walk up to the game when it is on TV.

I think the influence that Murdoch has had on our game, with his disciples Lindsay and Lewis in charge our game has become more better funded but less watched at the ground. While stadia have got better attendance has got worse, Possibly, if the games were not shown live but a day later there would be more at the match.

Just a few thoughts!

Re: Is Super League a good thing? : Sat May 12, 2012 9:13 pm  

Short memories. When SL came in the game was at its lowest ebb. Gates had been falling for years almost everywhere.

Re: Is Super League a good thing? : Sun May 13, 2012 7:44 am  

Old Viking good point and now Sky are moving up to three games a week. So this might have a further effect. Rugby might have been in a poor state and I admit there are some good things about the coverage Sky provides but as a Wakefield supporter for 30 years for a true fan does it feel better? Are clubs outside of the top four or 5 more competitive?

Widnes need big crowds (As do Wakefield) to compete if they don't get them they risk a financial rocky road. Without your chairman you might be in an even worst mess. This isn't in any way a dig at Widnes as I have a great deal of respect for you. The playing product might bring the crowds but until you have that it is hard to get the crowds in. Bradford offered their season tickets for next to nothing and this got their attendances up but this and other factor has left them in a mess.

The question was more about feelings than facts and do the fans feel happier?

Re: Is Super League a good thing? : Sun May 13, 2012 5:03 pm  

Old Viking wrote:

While stadia have got better attendance has got worse,

It's a nice theory but it's just not backed up by facts though is it? Average top flight attendances haven't been as large in decades as they have been in the past four or five seasons.

Re: Is Super League a good thing? : Sun May 13, 2012 7:34 pm  

The clubs need to go out a generate more interest in the game,and i mean all clubs,the likes of wire,wigan,leeds etc have big fan bases but doesnt meant it cant be made bigger,ive been around many rugby towns and dont see a lot being done in the form of advertising in the towns to get people interested,its all well and good using gimmicks(jedward) want to forget that one, but once you get people in you need to figure how to keep them coming back,obviously a good result can help but it needs more than that.