Scubby

I think it is the way the old grounds were put together that makes people very nostalgic. They weren't designed by architects etc. A lot of the stands were built when clubs could afford to build them. That makes many of them quirky and unique (e.g. the end stand at the Watersheddings and Willows, Snookers club side at Wilderspool, the changing rooms at the corner of Thrum Hall) Many fans would pick their spot and happy reside there for many different reasons. I must admit though that I would prefer new stadia to be built on old (e.g. Widnes) than they flattening and moving to a new site - but economics and geographics determine that. The biggest shame was the Wigan saga where, at the time, Whelan wanted to re-develop the old Central Park. How awesome would that have been? I understand that problems at the time prevented this.

It could be argued that this Widnes side was the most skillful British team in the last 30 years. They still look a yard quicker than anything running around today and the offloading is fantastic.

I seem to remember reading (either in a press release or Cup Final programme) a couple of years ago that any Cup Final Replay was to be broadcast on BBC2 on a Tues or Wed evening. I would imagine a replay at 8pm even on Beeb 2 would easily outrate the actual cup final as it would be prime time etc.

For once this game does have the novelty/glamour factor - although it does pain me to say it because Wendall will be dinig out on it Leeds having the largest support in SL (and a huge catchment area) with no Cup or Wembley success in over a decade against a side that are certainly on the rise and has a feelgood factor about it. Take nothing away from Saints but I think the lower showings of fans for GFs and CCs over the last couple of years is just a reflection of how much success the club has had recently. Ten CC SFs on the trot and 4 SL GFs on the trot is an amazing achievement. The thought of this game does bring a buzz back to the CCF. 2007 with Catalans was good (big crowd) and last year was a novelty but Hudds support did have an impact on the attendance. I would imagine that, barring some Club Wembley seats, this will be a lock out.

Then the RFL should just tell Wire they have to wear blue shorts and socks. Job done. Is it not so obvious? Are the RFL that stupid? Happens all the time in football.

This is the most pointless thread. It is obvious that if Warrington keep their home shirt and switch to blue shorts and blue socks and Leeds stay as they are (amber shirts, white socks) there will be no problem. It happens all the time in football. Why don't the RFL just tell wire to do that? It is just common sense. Both can play in blue and amber, Wembley looks great, job done!

It may warrant a tick. That's debatable However, I would imagine that every team that has topped the table in the division below Super League has made the GF in the last decade or so anyway. So what's the problem? Fev have been excellent this year BTW.

I have heard this from one or two sources but haven't seen anything official. If this happens it will make a huge amount of difference to SL clubs. For example, players like Elima, Bosc, Stacul, Duport etc. could move to SL clubs and not count on the quota as they would be fed trained. Now I am not advocating weakening Les Catalans, but what it means is that, if contract talks stall, SL clubs could bid for players and keep them from the mits of French RU without them going on quota. It makes sense really. If someone like Elima or Bosc ever wanted to leave the Dragons I am sure SL clubs would be interested in taking them as non-quota players.

No worries. You are right about the final though. I would presume that Leeds or Saints would be slight favouries over Wire (if they got through) due to the amount of silverware and big games over the last few years etc. It will be pretty close betting though.

You will win more money backing Saints or Leeds with two singles (SF and Final) than backing Wire with two singles (SF and Final). Less money back = shorter the odds. Shorter the odds = favourites. That is why Warrington are favourites for the CC.

Wakefield are in deep trouble IMO. They have pulled the wool over the RFL's eyes for the past decade (e.g. Oakwell, Denby Dale Road, Thornes Park, that John bloke who wanted to sign Dallaglio and then it went t*ts up). If they are to have any hope of staying in SL I think that full planning persmission and full CONSTRUCTION (not the old chestnut of site clearance) needs to be in place. Anyone who knows about big projects will know the hoops the stadium has to go through in order to simply get past the planning stage. Can it be done by next spring - I'm not sure.

This will have been the same developing Newlove who had already scored circa 200 tries in the top flight, played for GB for 6 years and had scored a try in the 33-10 test win at Melbourne in 1992 then? Nice to see how Saints shaped a low-key career. Shenton will be a good signing but is not in the same class as Newlove TBH.

Not sure if there is. However, I would imagine that his playing record would be in Rothmans somewhere. It think it lists all International representatives up to around 1997. I have most copies from tha era as will many on this board.

The obvious ones are: Saints a few years ago started chanting 'that's why we're champions' seemingly after every try and Leeds fans seem to still enjoy giving it back. Visiting fans used to enjoy using the Warry Warry Warrington chant to rude effect and Hull KR fans always like to sound-off their version of Old Faithful. There must be plenty more out there - new or old. Let's hear them.

Tough. The RLIF should agree the International calendar. Who the Aussies pick for the series is up to them. If they rest their stars and lose the Ashes to GB then they have to wait four years for a chance to win them back.

This is the most obvious move for the international calendar and needs to be done now! 2012 can put us back on a four-year cycle of Ashes series. We cannot fit in the every two years that we had in the past but can alternate venues every four years - promote the event and make it really special. It can also take place between GB and Aus to add that extra nostalgia. It simply has to happen. There will not be another opportunity like this in the International calendar for a number of years. I also love the four nations and WC concepts and all three can have their place in the calendar 2011 Four Nations - UK 2012 Aus v GB (ASHES) - Australia 2013 World Cup - UK & France 2014 Four Nations - Australia 2015 Four Nations - UK 2016 GB v Aus (ASHES) - UK 2017 World Cup - Aus & NZ 2018 Four Nations - UK 2019 Four Nation - NZ & Aus 2020 Aus v GB (ASHES) - Australia This is so simple it is untrue and everyone is happy. Imagine Aus v GB at the Sydney Cricket ground for the Ashes in 2012 - awesome. Some things just need preserving and sticking to!! The whole Ashes concept can take on a new role with a new coach (or existing coach having to apply) and captain separate from England. It would also give the players who play for, or declare for, Ireland, Scotland and Wales something to aim for. This is so simple it is untrue. Get on with it RFL!! Start the campaign now!

I don't know if John is happy to divulge the info on sales to us but it would be interesting to know how the re-shaping of the magazine has gone down? I have bought a copy for the last few months simply on the back of change of direction and much improved content. I hope a few more have done the same.

Exactly right Terry. This is why I actually agree with the Franchising system if it is adhered to correctly. If a club like Wakefield or Castleford are still at an artist impression stage with a stadium (with three years of warnings) then IMO at least one of them has to go. Rovers could have sat on their hands and said "we'll never get there" but I like the attitude of the club. As was mentioned earlier, the job is to make the RFL's job as uncomfortable as possible when the decision comes around. People look at franchising from the viewpoint of a championship club. Exactly what could Rovers achieve with three years of stability at the highest level? The stadium development is key to providing fresh impetus for the club.

The thread is simple. Franchising is here to stay. I agree with it and some others don't - fair enough. However, it is the only route available at the minute for Rovers. What I think we need to know is if we re-configure the stadium and move forward with the squad - what is the club's potential? Do you think the club would be wasting its time building a 12k stadium for example if we are only ever going to get a core of 2k?

If that was the case we may aswell tear up the new stadium drawings, rebuild the posh penguin and get the blanket out at half time again. The club are making the right noises on and off the field. It may be 2015 as a more realistic option - but the club is moving forward nicely. Whether we have the potential to back that up with a sustained number of bums on seats is something that has challenged the club historically. I was asking about potential - I like to look for the positives.

Like many on here I have been following the club for many years and have seen some great sides. Now SL is a different beast altoghter and it doesn't look like franchising is going away. I actually agree with franchising and if Rovers got their act together and were awarded a franchise, in the not too distance future, then the three year period would be the foundation to really develop this club. What I am asking is what is the real potential of this club - in terms of revenue and core support. I have been in the ground when it has been bursting 6-7,000 with large away followings (and I'm sure some will have enjoyed much bigger crowds in earlier years). But I've also been in the stadium the week after we got to Wembley, for example, and seen 2,000 there and also sub-2k crowds in the top flight. Now the new proposals are exciting and will transform this club. If we were in the top flight what would be our real potential? Games like Leeds, Castleford, Wigan, Saints and Hull etc will draw good sized crowds but what would be the potential for season ticket sales - what would be the core support for games like Salford, Catalans etc? I think a lot of people follow Featherstone without actually attending games. Historically we have always struggled for crowds - could we realistically look at getting, say, 2-500-3,000 season ticket holders with a new stadium?

Yes I do. Don't judge people who don't conform to the stereotype. This club is having a terrific start to the season but is struggling to get fans through the gate. That is something that needs addressing. It doesn't matter to me what other clubs are doing.

How do you know this isn't my forum?