Unbelievable how we've got a better average attendance than the current world club champions. Imagine how many we'd have if we had their success.

I know the home derby really helps this figure but in a very mediocre season as far as league position is concerned we have once again as a group of supporters really excelled.

However I have a question

With so much emphasis being put on attendances by IMG in the overall mix of criteria regarding super league admission next year I'm surprised that Rovers don't show their exact attendances. Unless of course the incorporation of hot dog junction and thus the lack of available overflow terracing has reduced their capacity. Anyone know why this is because the place was heaving for the Derby? This is a genuine enquiry and not a dig but if anyone knows I'd be interested because at present in that list it sticks out as 8000 estimated and with Cas and Leigh just behind them, (and with recent events in both camps) its possible (although unlikely) that Rovers could end up 9th.

just going to mention the away support for football at the MKM on irregs post because some of the away teams like Sunderland,Middlesbrough and the Yorkshire clubs bring upwards of 4000 fans.
In reality Hull City have a core of 15000 which is less than the combined attendances of FC anf HKR

Crowds have been great this year, especially considering times are hard. We still have Wire and Leeds to come which are usually two better attended games.

Responding to Wilf’s question (the quote function seems to be brock)…

I don’t know why Rovers aren’t announcing attendances. I can’t even really come up with anything much good by way of speculation.

Ranking doesn’t matter for attendances. I suppose they don’t want to disincentivise going to away games! Any club that gets a 7.5k average gets the full 2.5 points available. Less than that but >3k is 2 points, then 1.5 points for 1.5k and 0.75 for anything below that (all the way down to zero, slightly oddly).

Rovers are far enough above the 7.5k to get the points but if I was Cas or Leigh owner id be doing a lot of freebies!

I do wonder if IMG will audit some of the numbers somehow, or we might see some iffy counting at some clubs.

Don’t forget that ranking isn’t purely for ESL but all RL clubs. The idea as I understand it is that all 3 leagues ESL/Champ1/Champ2 are graded using IMG ratings and a lower league club can replace higher league clubs if they’re outpointed. Not sure if I make sense. Love your attempt at a Hull accent by the way (brock) my favourite was ,” giz a croggie oar al bray ye wiv me sanny “

As things stand I cant see anything other than the current 12 getting the spots.

Leigh may have been in danger when the season started but have added crowds, a CC win and likely top4 finish to their score that already included a good ground.

Bradford will score better than most in the Champ on crowds and stadium size but will be pinned back by poor league finishes.

Wakefield's new stand has come at a great time for them as it ticks all the minimum stadium requirements.

Toulouse will do ok on crowds and for winning the Champ in 2021 but I dont think they want a 2nd French team right now.

What happens in the 2nd phase of grading in 3 years time might be more interesting. Youd hope those progressing will be rewarded but knowing RL we'll have moved the goalposts and be onto a new idea by then!

It’s regraded every year, as I understand it - unlike the 3-year licences that were granted in 2009 and 2012.

Do apologise in advance if this is off subject but looks like clubs have been advised of their IMG status (based off the previous 3 seasons). Be interesting to see what grade we find ourselves under.

I thought in a recent survey , The fans were mostly infavour of TO been in SL .
Bradfords ground is a mess with large parts taped off as it's unsafe . I cant see IMG giving + points for Odsal now .

For me its the lack of TV revenue from France that is the issue, even a small amount would take away the 'they bring no away fans' arguement. Also it impacts SKY as French viewers dont contribute to their viewing figures.

And agree on Odsal but depends how deep they are looking at the facilities, if they are just looking at capacity then it will get a tick, if they are sending asessors out to have a look it might be different.

Got to say I also agree re Bradford and Odsal as just can't see how any points can be awarded for the ground as it really is now nothing more than a crater, it is in a very sad and sorry dilapidated state.

maybe Catalan and Toulouse could get a tv deal if there was a guarantee both clubs would be exempt from relegation

Im not so sure, Catalans won the cup and made a Grand Final and Toulouse got promoted and French TV still expected rights for free

There's a lot of politics still within the French game sadly . I agree with Ullfc I don't think the two clubs could have done much more on the field to highlight there is a game in France .
L'Équipe have been streaming some games recently but RL is way down any potential tv deal .

Just to pick up the point about rovers not announcing figures, they did announce the average for the first 6 games I think which was about 8.9k

Then with the derby now incorporated you’d expect that to go up and impact the average probably to about 9k over the course of the season.

Not announcing them weekly is annoying though, but ultimately we only ever look at the average like we are now so if they are giving that info out it’s all that matters in the end

Agree on the points about the top 12 not changing. Be interesting to see what the plan is for the relegated team this year and if fev do well but are a lower B what do they do about league size (if it’s fev obviously who go up)

Even if Fev did a a Leigh id still expect them to get swapped for Cas/Wakefield, its a very small town and Wakefield in particular is a bigger market to go at.

I saw the almost complete stand at Belle Vue on TV last night and for the 1st time ever saw Belle Vue as a decent SL ground. Its textbook RL that the year it opens its likely to host Championship rugby.

We could end up third from bottom with a near average of 13K.

Shows you what a big club we are, and how things feel different this year. Feels like supporters have took to Tony Smith and can see the bigger picture.

8782.

That included games against Wigan, Warrington, Leeds and Saints. The derby will help with your average but you'd imagine games against Wakefield, Leigh, Catalans and Salford less so.

Very odd that Rovers don't announce match attendances.

those last 3 may not be higher attendances. so add them to the previous higher gates then divide them by 13...gives a better look! maybe they are doing it so it looks good on paper for IMG?

It just seems a bit shady. I mean it's no skin off my nose even as a statto but I imagine some record keepers will be a bit miffed.

True. I started this topic and highlighted just how impressive our crowds are despite how awful we have been in recent years and our position in the league this season.

We should be aiming for 14k if we can break in to the top four and win or even challenge for trophies.

Like you say it has to be down to Smith and the faith supporters have in him.

The back to back cup wins should have acted as a launch pad to take the club to the next level and be a force once again. It's almost criminal what happened next. As soon as the cracks appeared Pearson should have replaced Radford with an experienced coach like Smith but of course that's easy to say with hindsight.

To be fair, in all most games except Rovers and Salford we have been entertaining amd had a real go.

Most I've enjoyed watching us in years and we have Smith to thank for that.

Agree. First time in 6 years I’m not looking forward to the season ending.