I don't think it's just that Cruncher.. When i was a nipper, if you wanted to watch sport, you had to go to watch it.. Now people have spent a lifetime as armchair fans. It's easy to be a "fan/Supporter" now and contribute to your chosen clubs finances, you just subscribe to Sky Sports.

Its because of people like you with your attitude that super league will go no further,its not that its man utd its the fact that its premier league football on at the same time as super league

I know, that too. Had a conversation with a bloke from Wakefield about a year ago. We met on holiday, and as soon as he learned that I was from Wigan, he stared ribbing me about the RL, having a pop at pie-eaters, etc. It was all good-natured enough and I didn't take offence, but then it came out in the conversation that he hadn't been to watch Trinity in years and years, only seeing them now and then on the telly. Not much use to them, that bloke.

People are paying more to go and watch live games than they did 10 years ago yet the on field product is dramatically inferior.

Where is the value for money? Wigan vs Saints 10/15 years ago meant Long vs Lam, Faz vs Scully, Newton vs KFC now it's just a bunch of kids vs poor Aussie imports.

If I wanted to freeze my balls off watching blokes slog it out in a mud bath I'd watch Union.

The change to the summer to fit Sky schedules was the best thing that could have happened to the sport. That we've not kicked on from their is our own fault as a sport.

So you've just proved yourself wrong within a few sentences, the game has steadily gone down hill since SL was created

How would playing games in Jan make any positive difference compared to playing them August? Would 3/4k of fans suddenly want to go to a game because it's winter?

I'd love to know how playing in winter would solve all our problems? Increased competition from football & RU, seriously poor weather & we'd still more than likely have the Thursday games.

The game has a multitude of issues but being a summer sport isn't one of them.

Because nostalgia.

You're right with all of your points though of course.

Funny how it worked for such a long time prior to Super Duper Mediocre League, but don't let that get in the way of your propoganda

So in other words you don't have a clue.

I personally think it's because we don't play in cotton jerseys anymore. If we went back to those then we'd easily have 25k on for every game.

Been downhill since we stopped playing Entry Of The Gladiators....

Can't see us taking much more than 1000 to Leeds on Friday to be fair.

Attendances have been disappointing as they normally are in the play offs.

I think the amount of televised games over the super8 n middle 8s is a factor in this, and would create the same issue in winter or summer

I would suggest that the biggest single event that has affected our game for the worse is Rugby Union going professional. At a stroke we have been deprived of a source that has in the past provided many of the we have been thrilled to watch. Where are the Sullivans, Bostons, Offiahs, Botticas et al? They were the sort of players that pulled in the crowds. Now if we produce any stars they are off where the grass is greener.

It dodn't though did it.

Attendances are higher now than in the last 20 or 30 years of winter rugby even during Wigans glory spell 85 - 96.

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as ever, redoubtable bilko has the evidence

Ok, stop now... Facts are inadmissible as evidence!!!!

The difference is the Super 8s count on a season ticket, whereas the old top 8 games didn't.

I think as big a factor as any that hits attendances is when fans have already watched the visiting team at home once already in the same season.

Perhaps the attendances had something to do with the fixtures only being promulgated on 29 July, 8 days before they took place.

If the remaining 6 are all down (Millwall excepted), then there's an issue, but I think the lower crowds were more down to the short-notice of who is playing who when.

I was slammed on here for criticising the new format but as expected I for one have not seen any difference irrespective of what sky pundits and others say. Biggest game in 10 years for Leigh according to sky with a team of a generation and they still cant pull 4k If it wasn't for the fact that I want my sons to continue to support the game I loved I would stop going after nearly 40years.

You do know a lot of people are on holiday, right?

Attendances are always down in August compared to May.

didn't affect premiership attendances?

why not take a break until September and begin the 8's comp then?

Too early to tell.

Wigan down 1,000 for a short notice Thurs v Fri sounds a decent effort.

Wire travelling support well down for a Friday night game arranged at short notice during summer holidays the week after a demoralising defeat, with their opposition saving up for Wembley and anticipating a comfortable win.

Hull = season over and the game was screened on Sky Sports Xtra (was the corresponding game on Sky?)