i previously wrote off sheffields chances mainly due to DVS.

the move back? to bramal lane is very interesting.

if the soccer club get behind it like quins have done then this will be very positive.

south yorkshire would be a good move for SL

i think it can, rl doesnt impede on the football season too much while ice hockey seems to have its own niche and hardcore suupport in cities its played so no real problem there. rl could and should be the no. 1 summer sport there

a bit off topic but i would like to see double headers at places like bramall lane, anfield, st. james and elland road instead of millenium magic in the future.

Yeah, while we're at it, Hull FC could merge with Gateshead ...

Ideally SL would want a team there just based on the fact they have a decent population base and the ALL important stadium.


Problem is, its just never worked there.


Still, you have to wonder about some teams currently in SL that get terrible crowds anyway and play out of terrible stadiums.

I agree, and in a way it's a shame because some clubs especially Castleford IMO could get some great crowds with a better stadium. Saints would obviously get much much bigger crowds as well.

The stadiums just about match up to the rugby at the moment though.

You do know nearly a quarter of the population of Cas goes to home games?

Now Wakefield on the other hand...

Yes I know that and with a new stadium with so much interest in the town in the sport of RL and then with a bit of success, they could be above 10,000 average with sell out crowds against Wakey and leeds.

Like what happens now then



All a new stadium will do is add a thousand at most new tag alongs who aren't really interested in the game, and a few more away fans. Cas' average attendance will probably be never higher then 11,000 max in a new stadium because of the size of the town/3 teams that don't take fans to away games.

Would be an idea, that. If Salford and Wakey/Cas were replaced by Widnes and Toulouse in 2012 (just an example, don't shoot me down on this), you could have something like:

Anfield - Saints vs Wigan, Widnes vs Warrington
Bramhall Lane - Hull FC vs Hull KR, Harlequins vs Celtic
Elland Road - Leeds vs Bradford, Huddersfield vs Wakey/Cas
Paris - Catalans vs Toulouse

Would get bigger overall crowds than The Magic Weekend anyway, but would they get the overall money from the local tourist boards, etc. that TMW gets? I doubt it.

Why, because they've moved from a [icompletely[/i unsuitable stadium to just an unsuitable one??

I know its pretty-much the only thing you gypsyvillers have to cheer about these days, but a half-decent stadium is not and never will be the most important part of a super league club.

Any club who produces so much as a crayon drawing of a new stadium gets touted as a perfect candidate for Super League on here these days...

Alternatively the RLF convince those not wearthy that facilities actually matter

In the mean time, they could try and convince the fans that Super League is more than just having shiny stadiums (and that they are actually called the RFL, not RLF!).

Ignoring the boring dig at the end...

They are a club in a huge city not too far away from the RL heartlands, have performed well in the CC, have been getting admittedly smallish but respectable crowds in a stadium with no atmosphere and poor views (1.1k average I think I read), have a good youth system in place from what I've read and have now moved to a superb facility in Bramall Lane.

They have all the makings of what the RFL want as a SL club. They aren't there yet, but could be in 5 years time.

I have a lot of sympathy with Sheffield after they were raped by Huddersfield. The only right and moral thing would be for Sheffield to take Huddersfield franchise for the next 3 years.

Said this for ages, cumulatively the National League is not that far away from having better stadia than SL.

Next Season

Halifax
Widnes
Leigh
Oldham
Blackpool
Doncaster
Sheffield
Gateshead

as lower league clubs will ALL be playing in better grounds than Super League Counterparts St Helens, Bradford, Leeds, Hull KR, Wakefield, Castleford, Celtic, & Salford





So in effect half of the national league clubs will be playing in better grounds than more than half of super league!!!! Can you imagine that happening in other sports?! Its time for the abovementioned clubs to pull their thumb out their harrises

To be fair - a lot of those Championship clubs have backing from the Council. Halifax certainly wouldn't be finishing the East Stand early next year without the local council's intervention. That said, SL clubs who got a criteria point on the back of a promise last time should have that expunged until they actually get the bloody thing finished. No more promises !!

The shay is only better then 2 of the SL teams stadiums you mentioned
Have you seen where Blackpool play now? it isn't the football stadium
Gateshead's stadium isn't that good and is miles away from the stadium
Boundry Park is a tip, just because it has seats it doesn't mean it's a good stadium.

I'd take the Jungle & Knowsley Road over most of the teams stadiums you've listed there, proper RL stadiums which if it wasn't for the RFL's ridiculous idea that everyone should have a brand new stadium matters more then the on field product nobody would be talking about how "bad" they are.

I'd go along with that. Each to their own but i HATE sitting at a match. Forever having to stand back up to let the weak bladdered go and have a p[iiss[/i - really hacked me off that did at the Championship GF. Yes, these old stadiums "cosmetically" look bad for the game but i love them. The atmosphere is proper and true and my flat cap seems to fit better in these "hell holes". I love them.

You are clueless.

Agree with every word.

hmm but Leeds is an old dumpy ground yet suitable.
I think it's more to do with the facilities and creature comforts more than anything.

Never been to Bramall Lane so looking forward to my visit.

Better stadium and good for the fans, not sure it helps the Eagles though, they still dont have their own stadium and their finances are partly in the hands of a rival sport. This doesnt strengthen their super league prospects for me unless the Blades have given them a 20 year guarantee on a minimal rent.....which I doubt they have somehow.

Sharing with football clubs and not having their own staidum killed the Broncos, it's not the way forward imo. At least the DVS was council owned (?) and the Eagles had some security there.

What ever your opinion is off me is irrelevant. I have a valid point and don't like it.