fighting irish

I know it's the national anthem. (Did you think I didn't?). What I'm suggesting is we get a new national anthem and if not stop singing this ridiculous one.

I'm dieing to see them playing regularly, but one of the ways we could boost performances and enliven the crowds is to stop singing ''God save the king, or the queen'' for that matter. Billy Connoly was right, even the theme song to the Archers would be better.

How about ''Oh Sit Down'' by James? Reflecting our welcoming, all inclusive nature as a sport.

They've done that before.

Well after being there on the day, I can vouch for the fact that they love it. It's not gone un-noticed by the dark-side either. I'm waiting for the (inevitable) backlash, when the WRU starts to fear the growth. One of the moderating influences for the RU clubs hosting, is that when the Rugby League is on, they put a good few quid behind the bar. Whereas normally, the Summer Season sees most clubs closed. I don't sense anything like the open hostility we had to deal with 40 odd years ago, which is good, but I'm eager to see how they react as we approach the tipping point.

The boat leaves Friday!

I went to a celebration of the Windrush Generation's contribution to Port Talbot society, which was very moving. There aren't that many families but I think it's worth trying to see if they have a group/community across the whole of Wales (and the South West), which could be contacted to let them know about it.

Welcome and congratulations on finding us. Hold on tight, it's going to be a bumpy ride.

It'll give a huge boost to the Manchester Rangers too.

That was a pretty good effort from the 'philly Observer, fair play.

This comment, combined with your original post is consistent with my suggestion that SKY may have pulled rank fairly recently.

It could be the ever-present shadow of the dark-side spreading it's relentless, creeping foul tentacles across the 'Ull of ''the good ship RL''

Please cut and paste and send it direct to the RFL/RFL Commercial?

It is very disappointing isn't it? It's also hopeless (as was the C4 timetable last year) in building any carry-over from one game to the next, in terms of fan engagement. I'm still dratting the loss of the C4 team of presenters too.

As it is, the IMG system has removed the almost irresistible gravitational pull of squandering your hard earned gains on some barnacle encrusted, aging ''dreadnought from down-under'' in a high risk, long odds gamble, to short circuit the process.

Perhaps Oldham could write the ''Idiots guide to promoting a RL club......'' ? Although having said that, a different title might be better.

I wonder if SKY has pulled rank (recently) given the recent refreshing success of Warrington, Leigh and Hull KR?

What is IMG/RFL Commercial's role in this? I'm not saying they should be doing all this for the clubs but they could show the clubs what needs to be done and (perhaps) how to do it. I've called (for ages) for a policy of sharing of information and expertise throughout the league because we do have examples of good practice amongst the clubs, but it seems while they see each other as deadly enemies rather than fellow voyagers, on the good ship RL, the idea of helping other clubs to succeed seems anathema to the strugglers.

Well Cardiff would solve some of those problems. The seating is more comfortable and the toilets are easy to access and not smelly (last time I was there). With all the other advantages of proximity to the town centre, the welcoming Cardiffians etc. etc. let's have it here? I'm sure it would give a boost to the small but thriving WRL. So come on RFL, the Principality is calling.

I know my enjoyment is prejudiced by the final result, but wasn't it a great day? Where did you sit to watch it? Did you have drinks, or a meal in the rugby club? I'm just wondering, if our paths crossed.

Were you there? I was there most of the afternoon.

I sometimes wonder, if some of them are just, natural born fibbers?

Good lord! I went to Dublin 10 years ago and it was £6 a pint. I wonder what it is now?

I think it's a disgraceful practice, shamelessly abusing a captive audience. Rampant price-gouging for all you anti-capitalists. The annoying thing (as a customer) is that it's clear, the immediate short term gain is impossible to forego, for the promise of repeat business, ''sometime'' in the future. What can you do? I'm sure they do the same thing when the RaRa team play at home. Ugly.

I'm sorry matey, I hadn't even read the opening post. I picked this thread up late. I'll have a look.