Quote ="Jamie101"I understand that, but if you have a couple of storming games every decade, that might be enough to 'win over' the young and impressionable fans, meaning they then are there through the abject decades that will invariably follow!
I know what made me a Newcastle fan was our swashbuckling entry into the PL in the 93/94 season. That won me over and has kept me attending (some years a lot more than others) since. I have watched us play guff across Europe and some random and obscure British towns and cities since. The side in the early 00's will have enticed the next generation of young kids in for similar life-long disappointment!
I take the point about young Rhinos having been spoilt in recent years - I have come on board just after that stopped - maybe what entices us as kids is in part the 'possibility' of achieving something whereas if the team is actually doing so on a regular basis, where does that let your imagination and expectation go, if you are already achieving all that you can?
I think inviting the kids on the pitch to do different things at half-time is a massive part of that - 'I played rugby / danced / walked round / waved a flag on the Rhinos' pitch!!!'
That is one advantage that the RL definitely has over football and should take credit for.
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I agree with pretty much everything you've written. But I would argue we've had more a couple of storming games in the last 2 decades! As a teacher, seeing kids go onto the pitch, meet players, whatever else they can engage in is what is going to attract them to the game. The opportunities Leeds provide are second to none and we should remember that. The Foundation plays a huge part in this now and is trying to take out great game to more and more people. This should never be lost in discussions about atmosphere and bringing the teams out separately to please a couple of drunk men who want to make obscene gestures to the opposition as they run on!
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