The Catchment score is defined as the population of the Local Authority District where the club’s stadium is located divided by the total number of Tier 1 and Tier 2 clubs in the same area.

Ealing alone would have gained the maximum 1.5 points for catchment since population is above 260k. Richmond and Merton have relatively small populations (for London Boroughs) both falling within the 130k-260k bucket that awards 1 point.

Even if points were awarded on a sliding scale (rather than in rather crude buckets), we might get a more sensible score.

Just be thankful we aren't playing in the City of London.

Quote ="jbuzza"I doubt think they really think about how the criteria affects one place of another. The criteria has to be written so it applies anywhere in the country. Not sure what could be used other than local authority district. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_E ... population'" And for most M62 based teams they will most likely derive their fanbase ( or at least the majority of it ) from inside the local authority area - but this is clearly NOT the case for London Broncos. So maybe IMG SHOULD have thought about how the criteria affects one place or another? I wonder do Catalans derive most of their support from the area immediately around the part of Perpignan where their stadium is?

Quote ="jbuzza"I doubt think they really think about how the criteria affects one place of another. The criteria has to be written so it applies anywhere in the country. Not sure what could be used other than local authority district. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_E ... population'" And for most M62 based teams they will most likely derive their fanbase ( or at least the majority of it ) from inside the local authority area - but this is clearly NOT the case for London Broncos. So maybe IMG SHOULD have thought about how the criteria affects one place or another? I wonder do Catalans derive most of their support from the area immediately around the part of Perpignan where their stadium is?

The London Borough of Wansworth has a population in excess of 300,000. A Professional Rugby League player is capable (I think) of kicking a conversion at the North End of Plough Lane (when Kicking from slightly the right side of the posts) into the Borough of Wandsworth. The Corner Pin Pub and Tescos Local are in Wandsworth. Two of the three roads around the stadium are in Wandsworth.

Local Authority is an illogical concept for catchment area. It should be based on population within a certain distance. Two clubs near each other should have a midway divide for containing the catchment area in that direction.

Whilst you could argue the Broncos catchment area should include South England, I'd agree that wouldn't make sense. But not counting people living a minute from the ground is stupid.

That would make sense if such data were easily available but almost certainly isn't.

Which ever way it is looked at, there is an inbuilt disadvantage to some clubs based on this metric.

Leeds for example could have 5 tier 1 & 2 clubs in the Borough & still get full points. Warrington & Saints are in smaller LA areas then us & the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan with 330k bodies includes both Wigan & Leigh. No idea whether they were marked down or some loophole found. I'm sure there would be more of a row if there were closer to 12th.

Quote ="jbuzza"The club have posted extensive notes here https://www.londonbroncosrl.com/what-wa ... fans-forum It is starting to look like Hughes prevented some sensible interaction with fans.'" Isn't it? This seems all v reasonable

Quote ="jbuzza"The club have posted extensive notes here https://www.londonbroncosrl.com/what-wa ... fans-forum It is starting to look like Hughes prevented some sensible interaction with fans.'" Isn't it? This seems all v reasonable