EssexRL

I realise this includes away fans but the population of Leigh is only 46,000 - that is an incredible proportion of local citizens watching the club.

I think you’ve summed up how I feel too.

On a few threads recently the view has been expressed that (1) the game at all levels is in retreat in London and the SE*, (2) given the size of the area, and as IMG acknowledged London should matter to the sport but (3) there appears to be no interest and/or ability to promote the game here. Suggestions have been made that people here who feel strongly about this should come together and form some sort of association to see if there is anything that could be done. This would not be about promoting any particular club but the game itself. Generally speaking (and yes I know a lot will depend on what the aims of such a group would be) is this an idea worth considering or utter madness? Views please - particularly from anyone in London or SE. *I realise there are plenty of other parts of the UK (well most parts in fact) where RL is in dire need of promotion but London is a special case.

Maybe those of us who care about the sport need to come together down here.

The challenge - and potential down here means everyone needs to come together to raise awareness of the game and engage people with it. The later is getting harder as clubs disappear.

Everything you say makes sense, but sadly I cannot reach any other conclusion that the sport has abandoned London for whatever reason (and contrary to IMG's recommendation). Games in the SCL are being cancelled for a lack of players and here is an opportunity to raise awareness and encourage young people to take an interest. I think for the likes of us (I am down the road from you in Waltham Forest) the game in fading away.

I'd like to think any club thinking about this step will have done due diligence on things like the cost of travel, but that might not be the case.

Like that! Playing only in Yorkshire and/or Lancashire means that the sport is losing fans/appeal. Ultimately that will hit it in the heartlands. I may go to Leeds and will certainly watch the games on TV, but it does feel more and more like the sport is retracting at all levels.

RL keeps letting us know in the south that is a northern sport, doesn't it? A missed opportunity for sure to profile the sport in London and indeed the national team to play in the country's capital.

Indeed and, of course, zero publicity down here.

I wonder how much the decline in the game in London and the south contributes to lower attendance. Until 4-5 years ago I went to every CC final in a group of twenty plus London Bronco and Skolar fans and we bump into others we knew. Post Covid none of us have gone and all have pretty much fallen away from the sport. I wonder how many Londoners attend?

I would be interested to know how Bedford think they can put together a competitive team and afford the travel costs associated with L1. Hope they have a plan as it would be good to have a southern(ish) club in L1 and only 40mins out of London.

Exactly - a few years ago they heralded the expansion of L1 with Oxford, All Golds etc., There was subsequent talk of Dublin, Belgrade and New York joining (Toulouse and Toronto did briefly pass through) and now it is all but dead. As an earlier post says the travel involved for clubs at this level particularly if you are outside the heartlands is crazy. What makes me mad is that clubs like Cru (and previously I would argue Skolars) are assets to the game. If RFL want to kill the semi-pro game off outside the Championship (which it self is hardly pulling the punters in) why don't they be honest about it.

I certainly promoted the fundraising in good faith, believing this was about a managed withdraw and rebuild. There was no way this was a 'scam' - #### up at most. I had not, though, expected things to collapse as quick as they have. I have asked the club what the money has been used for and what plan there is for the future. I would be happy to help the club as I believe it is vital that we have a club in this part of London, and the club has worked so hard in the past and achieved a lot with little resource. Let's see.

I agree. I have asked that question to the club.