Pearson is one year in and targeting an average attendance not far off what we achieved in 2007. Hudgell is 8 years in and how long ago is it that Rovers averaged 10k? I'll guess at either 30ish, or never.

The really odd thing is why, at a time when Rovers have net liabilities of £2.8m (quite possibly more now, as that was 10 months ago) and cash is king, they would dither about with getting money in for season passes. In the past they've been announced as early as July, think that was Club Rovers year. Makes no sense. Most rugby fans know there are more ins and outs to come at this time of year, Rovers have, what, 20 odd of the squad contracted, most new signings announced early. Bit silly IMO.

I think you know who I mean BB

On the back of 2 sell out derbies. What was the average without the 2nd game?

Taking stock and realignment, innit? No honeymoon lasts forever.

We've been at ~85% of the target in recent years, and for all that it hasn't been the best year, getting the North Stand off the ground finally is a big step towards our having a shot at being self-sustaining. Albeit maybe spending less than the full cap.

13,900.

Corrext Mrs B.

Our average attendance for all SL games in 2007 was 14,606. Ignoring the second derby, the average was 13,906. The average non-derby attendance was over 13,000. We never dropped below 12,000 all season. All that in a year when we won only two of our first eight super league games and we never hit the top four until the last week in July.

14,500 with a successful side is not out of the question. We've had that figure eight times for non-derby games in the last six years.

I think Hull FC only managed above 14,500 3 times that season.
Rovers twice and Wigan on the last game of the season.

So the 14,500 is slightly exaggerated by the 2 derby games.

How many times have FC achieved a crowd of 14,500 in SL?

A couple of dozen, I think.

Not even close

I didn't pose the question for this thread to become a conversation about Hull's attendances, although I do think it inconsistent that Hudgell chasing greater attendances is seen as the root of our problems, whilst Pearson doing the same is considered a master business stroke. Both have stretch objectives for their clubs, made more challenging due to local and national economic conditions.

Totally agree why should the chairmen of the clubs be critised for wanting more bums on seats, afterall it's there jobs to see it happen.

Think both Hudge and Pearson have been very honest quoting numbers to break even.

18 is not that far away and to be fair to ComeOnYouHull we've been over 14k but just under 14,500 a few times.

How many times have Rovers hit 10,000 in Super League?

Is it............................................Once?

No

Twice?

I only remember us doing it once against FC, I am getting old!!!

Leeds aswell I think ?

I must have been on holiday then, because I can't remember for the life of me reaching 10k twice.

vs Hull FC 2010 & 2011

I was on holiday for the home game in 2011, at least I know I am not going mad..............YET!

Not enough. That is why we are in the position we are in.

Hull FC could be in a similar position if the 14,500 don't turn up.
You would need a fan base of around 13,600 and a derby gate of 19,000.
A tough ask in the current climate.

It is certainly a tough ask. Not impossible though.

We need some good cup runs too over the next few years. Our record since 2008 is terrible. If we reached the Cup final it would be worth something like £250k which would be very handy.

Fair point.

I was surprised when the figure of 14,500 was first announced.
I thought that put Hull in the same situation as Rovers.
Pearson looks like he has the money and enthusiasm to give it a go.
At least for a few seasons anyway.

Back to the OP. I'd like to know if anyone else thinks Hudgell is a "legend" and why.

His talk about not being in SL next season is suicide in my opinion, you haven't put season passes out there yet and his master stroke is to more or less say, "Don't buy, FFS! We might be lining up against Fev and Halifax next year"

Hudgell has proved to be out of his depth when dealing with players and agents and is alienating them too. Fans of clubs never make good owners. They think they know it all because they watched from a terrace.

Of course we're going to be in SL next year. The club is just taking stock and realigning itself - most likely by trimming the wage bill.

Hudgell took over a moribund NL team, that under his stewardship got into SL, avoided relegation, put together our best team in about 20 years, and got into the play-offs 3 years in a row. A 'passionate Rovers fan' who 'started with ambition and vision, and had the drive and intelligence to turn unlikely dreams into reality.' as Andy Wilson said during our run to 4th in the table in 2009. He's stuck in a fair chunk of his own money with no prospect of a return.

The last couple of years haven't quite hit those heights, but that these are now the bad times shows how far the club has come since he took over. When I started taking a serious interest again in 2006 this was what I hoped for - small club mentality perhaps, but we were a small club. That I'm a tad disappointed with 2012 shows how dramatically he's changed my perceptions.

edit - and the north stand is going up, which was the single biggest issue for 2012 (and '11 and... but the point is they did it into a pretty awful economic headwind).