I seem to recall it was to take the game of SL on the road to 'expansion' areas like Cardiff and Edinburgh.
But now its being played in???
Manchester.
The Fat Controller and his sidekick Lewis will come up with their 'spin' and say its to 'showcase the game' in a top stadium etc and all is rosy in the garden, then in 2 or 3 years when the novelty has worn off it will go somewhere else.
Isn't the SL Grand Final already played in Manchester?
Hardly taking the game on the road is it when Salford is next door and Wigan just up the road.

They are full of !!!!!

And the ground will be half full at any one time, less for the lower teams, yet Lewis & his cohorts will hail it a success.

They'll try Bolton the year after, then
2014 Elland Road
2015 Doncaster
2016 Oldham Newbank Stadium

Great stadium, pity about the concept.

We need to expand the game in Manchester. Poor Salford have MUFC and City to compete with. After the "magic" next year I forsee 10,000+ gates at Sales's new ground where Salford will be playing.

that's one excellent avatar you have there

A good idea in theory as not many people in Manchester are interested in RL.I was in my early twenties before i attended my first game, and i had moved away by then.

If you are going to spread the gospel then why not try and promote the sport in Gods own city. It will fail like all the other efforts, but at least there is easy access for traditional teams and their supporters.

At least there are some fantastic pubs,bars and a it is being held at a magnificent stadium which is home to the worlds greatest football team.

thought the game was planned for Etihad not Elland Road

Don't wish to be a prude, but no! it isn't.
It's crass.

bet you wouldn't say that if it was 2 blokes...

I'm not sure what I have done to deserve that.

I'm certainly going to Man City's Etihad stadium in 2012, can't wait either
























































For the COLDPLAY gig in June.

I think the RFL knew that the millennium stadium was to big as was murrayfield. The city ground fits the bill in terms of flat capper territory and with a good Widnes following this year the 47'000 thou I think stadium should be pumping.

Expansion my , get yer traditional clubs like fax and Leigh back in!

I doubt there will be more than 15,000 in the stadium at any time

Really? I'll have you a wager on that if you wish bugman

How do you suggest either prove themselves ?

I cannot see many fans staying for more than their own matches

I'd say it would be the complete opposite - with the 5 hours travel aspect removed, I think fans will be far more receptive to staying and watching other games rather than looking for an early dart. I'm definitely planning on going to both days, albeit depending on our fixtures.

me and the other half will be attending looking forward to 2 days of of rugby and it helps only being a tram ride home to bed. Looking forward to it and sampling a few drinks and meeting old friends