32 replies to this topic

[Kol]

Is the CC really worth winning? IMO it's a great day out and it's more of a social occasion than seeing my team win this competition as I dont think its worth much.

Sure it gets our game exposure in the BBC, but even so; has that made a real difference over the years the Beeb have had it?

SL final means much more and I really sense that amongst the fans.

Am I wrong?

Edited by Kol, 13 August 2010 - 04:15 PM.

[l'angelo mysterioso]

Is the CC really worth winning? IMO it's a great day out and it's more of a social occasion than seeing my team win this competition as I dont think its worth much.

Sure it gets our game exposure in the BBC, but even so; has that made a real difference over the years the Beeb have had it?

SL final means much more and I really sense that amongst the fans.

Am I wrong?

the fact that it's a social occassion is a plus point
the cc has issues to face regarding declining attendances in the early rounds

but it sure as hell is worth it

[Simon Hall]

Is the CC really worth winning? IMO it's a great day out and it's more of a social occasion than seeing my team win this competition as I dont think its worth much.

Sure it gets our game exposure in the BBC, but even so; has that made a real difference over the years the Beeb have had it?

SL final means much more and I really sense that amongst the fans.

Am I wrong?

I'd give my right knacker to see my team lift the trophy. Of course it's worth it.

[my missus]

I'd give my right knacker to see my team lift the trophy. Of course it's worth it.

i wouldn't part with a knacker!! but it is still our top comp it just needs some stimulation, and i believe the only way these days is to throw more money at it, bigger cash prizes in earlier rounds would inspire teams to play harder and a bigger cash prize at the end of it would help.

[Rioman]

Is the Challenge Cup worth it? Just ask every team in the two lower leagues and every Super League club.

[Bulligerent]

Absolutely worth it; having been to both the CC and Grand Final to watch my team and having seen us win and lose in both, i can say that the joy and pain of winning/losing either were equal IMO.

Not withstanding all of the above, no matter who you're watching in either final both are a damned good day out and great showpiece occasions for our sport.

[jannerboyuk]

Only a leaguie would argue that a social element dims its value! The getting together of all fans from different clubs adds to the occasion as well as the sporting drama. Its multi-layered innit. Personally can't wait to go to wembley and be amongst the league massive. 80,000 people making the statement: we are still here and we love this sport.

[terrywebbisgod]

Of course it's worth it, ask any player and they will tell you that their dream is to play at Wembley for their club and win the Challenge Cup.It has history and tradition, something that Murdoch and his millions are trying to create with the Grand Final, he has a very long way to go.

[R J Wagsmith]

Is the CC really worth winning? IMO it's a great day out and it's more of a social occasion than seeing my team win this competition as I dont think its worth much.

Sure it gets our game exposure in the BBC, but even so; has that made a real difference over the years the Beeb have had it?

SL final means much more and I really sense that amongst the fans.

Am I wrong?

Yes. You are wrong. Very wrong. Depressingly wrong.The Challenge Cup "isn't worth much". Oh, please.
The Cup has tradition, history, romance. It embodies the very essence of what sport is about. It excites. It offers hope and magic. It offers all clubs the chance to succeed. "The SL final means much more". All sports change but, for goodness sake, don't be daft.

[thirteenthman]

Yes. You are wrong. Very wrong. Depressingly wrong.The Challenge Cup "isn't worth much". Oh, please.
The Cup has tradition, history, romance. It embodies the very essence of what sport is about. It excites. It offers hope and magic. It offers all clubs the chance to succeed. "The SL final means much more". All sports change but, for goodness sake, don't be daft.

I agree about the history and tradition. It certainly should still be regarded along side the SL GF in terms of importance. Just because one was started over 100 years ago and the other only started in 1998 doesn't make one more important than the other.

However, there's very little romance about the cup nowadays, and it certainly doesn't 'offer all clubs the chance to succeed'. And last weekend we saw a semi-final played out between Leeds and Saints in a ground only three-quarters full. While an appearance in the final will bring out the casual fan (Warrington's full of them at the moment), the rounds that lead up to it can struggle to gain attention.

[Dave T]

Don't really understand the question, of course it is worth it. There are two major trophies in this country, and two prestigious finals. This game will attract the highest RL crowd this year in this country and will be great for players and fans alike, and a real financial boost for the clubs...

[jannerboyuk]

I agree about the history and tradition. It certainly should still be regarded along side the SL GF in terms of importance. Just because one was started over 100 years ago and the other only started in 1998 doesn't make one more important than the other.

However, there's very little romance about the cup nowadays, and it certainly doesn't 'offer all clubs the chance to succeed'. And last weekend we saw a semi-final played out between Leeds and Saints in a ground only three-quarters full. While an appearance in the final will bring out the casual fan (Warrington's full of them at the moment), the rounds that lead up to it can struggle to gain attention.

success is relative. barrow where successful, the amateur clubs that got through to the latter rounds were successful. success isnt just the final.

[Dave T]

I agree about the history and tradition. It certainly should still be regarded along side the SL GF in terms of importance. Just because one was started over 100 years ago and the other only started in 1998 doesn't make one more important than the other.

However, there's very little romance about the cup nowadays, and it certainly doesn't 'offer all clubs the chance to succeed'. And last weekend we saw a semi-final played out between Leeds and Saints in a ground only three-quarters full. While an appearance in the final will bring out the casual fan (Warrington's full of them at the moment), the rounds that lead up to it can struggle to gain attention.

Being honest though, did it ever?

There are still shocks that happen though, Toulouse making the semis a few years back, Hull KR making the semis in the lower division, Catalans making the final, it still isn't that long ago since Sheffield won, Hull beating Leeds in the final and so on. Throughout history, it has generally been the better teams that win the cup.

[thirteenthman]

success is relative. barrow where successful, the amateur clubs that got through to the latter rounds were successful. success isnt just the final.

I agree about Barrow, but they were the only example this year. As for the amateur clubs, none got through to round 4 with the ones who made it to round 3 getting well beaten in front of small crowds. It just seems that the romance of the cup isn't quite as, well, romantic as it once was. Genuine cup shocks are few and far between.

[audois]

I agree about Barrow, but they were the only example this year. As for the amateur clubs, none got through to round 4 with the ones who made it to round 3 getting well beaten in front of small crowds. It just seems that the romance of the cup isn't quite as, well, romantic as it once was. Genuine cup shocks are few and far between.

I think one of the results of full time professionalism and the SL was that it really meant only a dozen or clubs so have got any chance of reaching Wembley. When we had one big league of semi professionals it was different. There was always a feel that it could be your year. In 1967 with a Barrow/Fev Final you had two sides who finished in I think 16th and 17th in the league that year. I believe the lowest ever league standing 25th was Halifax when reaching the CC Final in the late 1940s.

[1976PMJwires]

The attendance says its worth it.

its bigger than the GF...... and before anyone says theres a difference in stadium size, look at the GF finals decline v's actual attendance cc finals.

Is it worth it......... Yes it is.

[Derwent]

Ask the club chairmen if it's worth it - I read somewhere that last year's win was worth around £500k to Warrington with the prize money and associated merchandise etc

[Jerry the Berry]

Only a leaguie would argue that a social element dims its value! The getting together of all fans from different clubs adds to the occasion as well as the sporting drama. Its multi-layered innit. Personally can't wait to go to wembley and be amongst the league massive. 80,000 people making the statement: we are still here and we love this sport.

Spot on Janner.

Plus it's a knock-out competition that the Aussies are envious of.

The only tinkering I'd to with the early rounds is make the Super League teams play away if they're drawn against a non-SL team.

[Black Country Wire]

Is the CC really worth winning? IMO it's a great day out and it's more of a social occasion than seeing my team win this competition as I dont think its worth much.

Sure it gets our game exposure in the BBC, but even so; has that made a real difference over the years the Beeb have had it?

SL final means much more and I really sense that amongst the fans.

Am I wrong?

You're right that the SL title is more important than the Cup but that's true in all sports. However, I'd say it's still important and after waiting years to win a trophy last year's final was an absolute highlight.

I agree about Barrow, but they were the only example this year. As for the amateur clubs, none got through to round 4 with the ones who made it to round 3 getting well beaten in front of small crowds. It just seems that the romance of the cup isn't quite as, well, romantic as it once was. Genuine cup shocks are few and far between.

Maybe it's time to abandon the seeded draw which only seems to happen in the 3rd round.

[Jerry the Berry]

The attendance says its worth it.

its bigger than the GF...... and before anyone says theres a difference in stadium size, look at the GF finals decline v's actual attendance cc finals.

Is it worth it......... Yes it is.

GF finals decline?