DEWSBURY RAMS chairman Mark Sawyer says merging the second and third tiers was crucial in the current challenging financial climate.

Having been relegated from the old Championship in 2024, the West Yorkshire side had just nine home League One matches in finishing fourth under coach Paul March this year.

And there was just one further competitive clash at the FLAIR Stadium, against York in round three of the Challenge Cup, with Dewsbury’s involvement in the 1895 Cup comprising trips to face Workington, then London Broncos.

While the fixture format for the newly-expanded Championship has yet to be confirmed, long-serving Sawyer is hoping for at least twelve home contests.

“There’s no doubt it’s tough out there for all clubs,” he said.

“More matches obviously means more gate money and associated receipts, and there is also the question of maintaining supporters’ interest.

“The 2025 League One season was hard going in the sense that there were several periods without a game, and the withdrawal of Cornwall early on only made things worse from that perspective.

“At times it seemed like only the keenest supporters knew when the next home match was, and the worry is that people get out of the habit of coming. And once that happens it’s difficult to win them back.

“The merged division looks better both through the extra games and a greater variety of opponents, and we want to drive attendances up and improve the atmosphere.”

A link-up with neighbours Wakefield, which includes free entry to Dewsbury matches for certain Trinity season-ticket holders, should help grow numbers coming through the gates.

“We had a good home game against them in 2024, and we have maintained our healthy relationship, as we try to do with all clubs,” added Sawyer,

“Matt Ellis (Wakefield’s owner) is a real Rugby League man and has a great attitude towards supporting the game as a whole.”

Dewsbury will host Batley in this year’s annual Boxing Day challenge match, which will start at noon.