My thoughts exactly Fred, thats why I suggested a smaller ' friendlier ' venue, for the cost of renting Bloomfield Road they could put cheap subsidised travel to west Yorkshire

Best case scenario at Blackpool is 8,000 rattling around with some games in front of less than a 1,000

Worst case scenario at BatleyDewsbury is 4,000 but still a great atmosphere, and something that could then be built on

3,000 for a league match! , when was the last time that happened outside of Wigan?

Frank you know I have an aversion to Yorky Puds for Starters

and the Roast Dinners at Wetherspoons in Dewsbury

the beef is that tough , it asked Henry and Bernard for a fight , Bernard was still chewing his at Full time at the Dews game .You could be right about the crowd Prediction , although Starbug will be missing .

Probably, just out of interest would you be watching all 6 matches? ,and how many Leythers would be hanging around for the Broncos v Doncaster or getting there early for Fev v Eagles?

The whole point of the Magic Weekend is that it is a break from the norm. I was completely sceptical of the idea until I went to one a couple of years ago and was very much sold on the idea. I hope people do their bit for our league's reputation and support the idea in numbers.

I know that Blackpool is not your favourite place but lots of folk enjoy
a day out there and because Leigh will be playing there I feel a lot of folk who do not normally attend our home games will make the trip because success is infectious.

I think we need to look to the future' although of course lessons are learned from the past. Our club is going in the right direction and most Leigh folk do like Blackpool wether they normally watch RL or not.

Who knows some might attend a Leigh game for the first time and enjoy it so much that they might come again.

That's right at Dews all packed under the stand in a Bar that doesn't hold 100 , and at Batley in a Bar smaller than my front room , of course there is the Batley beer garden , but it could be raining , parking is not bad at Dews , but Batley

then there is access to these grounds , and Batley has the Frontier Club at night



.

Yes I may well watch all 6 games , depending on who was playing who , I think you are doing Donny , Bradford , Fev , and the Seagulls a disservice , as they are not bad teams , my week-end there will be booked as soon as Mrs Caroli says its OK .

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Charlie will order you a drink next time I see you

I wont pay for it , but I will order it

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Not denying that Leythers travel well most of the time, but do Sheffield? ,London?,Haven?,Cougars ?,York?

Seriously, this is for a league match, not a cup final, it only works if you can double/treble every clubs normal away support AND they stay for all three matches on their gameday, and they dont all decide to head off to the pubs in the centre

Where would I play it?

Easy, as IMO I wouldn't, the idea is flawed as per my reason before.

BUT if anywhere it would be in the Midlands as it seems that is where the RFL are trying to expand to especially as Coventry Bears are in the Championship 1 from next year.

I agree100% It a big no from me But like you say,if more than 2,000 attend the rl will say its a success.

Doubt that would be a good idea Fred.

Even in footie sports fans rarely spend a weekend in Coventry but they might in Blackpool.

Yes, but thats the point, they wouldnt be watching the RUGBY

Well we find out in May.

I would agree with you though I would not stay the weekend in Coventry or Blackpool watching footie.

So it's not about the Rugby, just an excuse for a pi$$ up, well to be honest I can think of a few better places than Blackpool, then again where would the Rugby punters tie up their whippets and hang their flat caps? TBH I think it's an insult to our 'arm' of the sport, you can hear the fat controller now 'Eeh tek em to Blackpoo there won't be a lot of em and we can all stay in a bl00dy good hotel and have a seaside freebie on the silly beggars' unfortunately I will have to go but it's a straight journey up and back.
And no I'm not anti-Blackpool but for a prestigious weekend of Rugby League??? do me a favour.
My only hope is that it counts as an away game for us so we don't lose too much revenue.

Id prefer Toulouse for the weekend away errr i mean the rugby...

No your not you've done your garden last week - come on Frank will buy you a Guinness

I ll be there
Althoughwith the venue at Blackpool the temptation to hit the pubs after "your" game is there and then you won't ho back whereas at the SL gig the fan zone and distance from the centre means fan sgo out into the fan zone and return

I think its worth a go as I reckon people will go to the match and then go out / stay over with mates family who wouldn't normally watch RL but (like the CC final / GF) will go for the occasion and a day out or weekend away.

I think both the venue and format is a good choice that will prove a success.

A lot of people are missing the point. Its an event that will generate an awful lot of publicity to showcase the game away from super duper league for a change. That must be seen as a positive.

Holding it in Blackpool will mean the majority of championshio supporters will support it out of curiosity. Blackpool will also add another 25% on the gate from fans bringing the misses, the girlfriend, the kids etc that with all due respect Batley would not.

Turn it into a carnival atmosphere and a day in Blackpool that will appeal for all the family to enjoy then they will want to return again. Championship Rugby League wins Imo.

Or of course we can do as Starbug and Fred suggest and not even bother trying.

Harold you've hit the nail on the head , about families coming to Blackpool , I and Mrs Caroli will be there , along with around 8 of my relatives , obviously they wont be attending the Rugby , but it will at least attract folk to come along who wouldn't normally attend , it has already been stated by the RFL that they will be copying the SL attraction , and as you say if you don't try something you don't know if it works or not .

So the grass hasnt grown since last week Henry?

Loads else to do, been working today so too busy tommorrow, I should make the Fev and Keighley games as they are night matches

25% extra isnt enough to make it a success Harold ,but hey ho we will find out next May

Unfortunately I think I'll be away that weekend but I'm sure it'll be a great one for all concerned.

No more holidays those weeks Kev, sorry.