Hopping Mad

Does he mean Grothe?

Just watched on Channel 4’s catch-up. Really enjoyed the game (I skipped the pre-match and half-time chat). My wife, a solicitor, from Surrey - best described as an occasional watcher of rugby league (we don’t do Sky) - was similarly absorbed. The drama and tension needed no explanation. Looking forward to the next Channel 4 match.

Fair enough. I like to see a competitive match. Runaway wins don't do much for me.

Haven did post an advance tweet - with a photo - about the £1 glossy teamsheet for the Barrow game.

Can't be easy being a Leigh supporter. Broadly speaking, Leigh are too strong for most teams in the second tier yet too weak for the bulk in Super League. Their fans must watch a lot of one-sided games, especially at home. Got to be dull!

I understand Keighley are keen to issue printed match programmes in 2022. Unfortunately, the club's design and print firm of choice is unable this year to offer the same match programme service. Keighley, I'm told, are seeking an alternative.

I'm not sure how genuine this "shock" can be. Before Christmas, Raith had let certain people - including major sponsor Val McDermid - know they were interested in signing the player. McDermid - and others, apparently - told the club exactly what the response would be. But Raith went ahead anyway. When Clyde signed the player, five years ago, a number of objections were voiced, by supporters and sponsors, amongst others. Not as many or as well publicised as those now, partly because Clyde are part-time small fry and partly because the public mood with regard to sex offenders was slightly different back then. Some Clyde fans simply walked away from the club. Some away fans boycotted their club's games at Clyde.

I'm wondering when the new stadium at York will be filled to its 8,500 capacity, for a club game involving either York City Knights RLFC or York City FC. Going to be a while, I fear. The LNER probably looks a bit better on the telly - at least with 3,500 present - than 'New Fartown' because the lead cameras are positioned in the empty, unused west stand. York may be a thriving city (if only because of something like an £850m annual spend by visitors), but the challenge for York City Knights (and York City) is stimulating the interest both of visitors and of the large proportion of York residents who aren't from the city, and appear happy to ignore what York's sports clubs get up to. And, of course, winning back 'lost' fans. I gather all this was touched on by new owner Clint Goodchild during this week's Q&A at the LNER.

I'd rather spend a day in Colwyn Bay than Wrexham.

Raith's manager apologises for "enormous error": https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60337753?xtor=AL-72-[partner]-[bbc.news.twitter]-[headline]-[news]-[bizdev]-[isapi]&at_custom3=%40BBCNews&at_custom1=[post+type]&at_custom4=4BA2A33C-8A91-11EC-9CDC-96954744363C&at_medium=custom7&at_custom2=twitter&at_campaign=64

There's a 2021 NWC programme on eBay: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265415041267?hash=item3dcbf820f3:g:rkMAAOSwIwRhmYA3 I'll be going over to Colwyn Bay at some point this season. PM me if you want a programme. I can post it on.

North Wales Crusaders have confirmed they will continue issuing a printed programme in 2022. Price will be £2.

I see Hull mention "complimentary matchday programme" as a benefit in the website blurb for their 2022 match and match ball sponsorship packages. Suggests a printed programme will be available at the MKM this season.

St Helens are going down the e-programme route. It's a 48-pager and free to download: https://www.zeeon.co.uk/gamehub/st-helens-v-catalans-dragons

Probably worth saying Dewsbury were able to lay that plastic pitch partly because a lifelong supporter - Christine Gooder - left them enough money in her will and partly because there was land available (did the club own it already?) next to their stadium.

The Guardian carried a similar piece yesterday (again, with a football slant). https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2022/feb/07/the-end-of-an-era-football-programmes-outdated-or-great-pieces-of-history#comments

Have they got rid of the old main stand now?

Now, Raith Rovers are blaming the media for their travails. Haven't Rovers learned anything from the past week? https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/raith-rovers-blunder-again-david-26157157

There's nothing of Naughton Park left. Demolition rather than maintenance, surely!

Gloucester?

End of the road, then, for one of rugby league's last traditional grandstands. Opened in 1935, I believe. How many others left? Belle Vue, Cougar Park and Derwent Park?

Dewsbury seem to have the best of both worlds: a plastic pitch for training and hiring to the community (it must be a great source of additional income), and a grass pitch on which to play their matches.

Update (10/2): Rugby Football League Printed match programme: Barrow (£2), Leeds (£3), Leigh (£3.50), North Wales (£2), Rochdale (£3), York (£3). Printed monthly magazine: Castleford (Roar, £2), Widnes (We are Widnes, £3). Printed match teamsheet: Whitehaven (£1). Digital match programme: Newcastle (free), Oldham (£3), St Helens (free), West Wales (£2). Nothing: Batley, Bradford, Dewsbury, Featherstone, Halifax, Hunslet, London, Workington. Others TBC. Amateur Rugby League Printed match programme: Bentley (£1), Leigh Miners Rangers (£3, w/a), Thornhill. Note: Orrell St James did a one-off printed match programme for their 15/1 Challenge Cup first round tie. Others TBC.

Newcastle did a free, 20-page digital programme for today's game with Batley: https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/66336335/thunder-vs-batley-programme-2022

According to yorkpress.co.uk, 1,562 at York.