I sent an email to Jack today (in good time for it to be read out by the way) asking why BBC GMR was not covering a major cup final for the Championship Leagues? It wasn't read out but Jack sent me a short email saying that they had not covered a Widnes game all season and that they were in the BBC Merseyside area and they were coverng their games. I sent one back ( after he had gone off air ) saying that why do Warrington and Saints not get covered by Radio Merseyside then. I personally think it stinks that a club like Saints that is equaly as close to Liverpool as Widnes gets the coverage from GMR and not Widnes. What it smells like to me is that GMR only want SL on the match days now and will not put a live reporter at the grounds for the champonship games in the future. I put my case to Jack that the way Championship clubs are treated by our masters is rubbish. Be funny if it ever gets read out. I was livid today that the final was not the top game on GMR instead they chose a bottom of the table clash with the Reds to highlight and I wish Bradfot had done them. Angry. Very Angry.

I've noticed during the season that they seem to have been covering Widnes less and less, was disappointed to switch on the radio in the car this afternoon and have the Bradford-Salford game on rather than the cup final. Still, I can see where they're coming from in that they're covered by Radio Merseyside, what with the Smogs being Scousers and that.

Thats just anti Wignes Matt. Not a bad thing but who the fluff listens to RL in scouseland. Or is this an expansion plan? Der, der, derrrrrrr.

To be fair, only one corner of the Radio Manchester area seems to be interested in RL, and they continue to give it a huge amount of coverage.

yes, if wire & saints, why not widnes - BIZARRE

They do give it coverage and well done to GMR but it's only SL getting the lions share now. I'm starting to not listen to GMR now they have no reporter at the CH1 games. I give it 20 mins and if there's no Championship games on I turn off. RL radio needs to be born.

well am i correct, but do saints not get covered by both merseyside and gmr, that's not fair, 2 stations covering same team, well if we'd got our finger out in the semi, then gmr would of covered us, alas it wasn't to be.

But the Championship One clubs can barely muster 1,000 spectators between them on any given afternoon - it'd be like having LGFC as the main commentary game on a Saturday afternoon.

Are you expecting an increase in crowds.........

But they give the afternoon to a bottom of the table clash. No they dedicated the afternoon to it. Good game but the NRC Final deserved a comentator there with live updates not Jack asking people ringing in who were watching it on sky what the score was. That was a slap in the face for our leagues.

well said, as for our 'local' team Salfod. nowt much to play for, not even STOPPING UP.
what a joke (the RFL & GMR)

whilst i understand your frustration, and that it was a big match, i am surprised that you, as someone who obviously works in the media, feels aggrieved about this......

lets remember that swinton, rochdale, and jack's beloved oldham get very good coverage on their gamedays, probably better than they should, given their attendances






whilst the wolves and saints are in BOTH 95.1 and 95.8 TSA'S, widnes haven't been on the radio manchester radar, and you have to draw the line somewhere.


there is also the kick off time to consider here, the programme starts at 2pm, the choo choo kicked off TWO hours later, not really giving the production team much scope with a 6pm cut off to get reaction, comments etc

Is Widnes not in Warrington ie Warrington post code? Why are Warrington on? I take it Saints will not be on next year at the Stobart.

Firstly I work in film and drama not news or live sports events. I have done but not for a long time. But I fail to see why you are supprised.
Secondly the match finished a long time before Jacks program went off air.
And thats a very good point Mr Blobby, what will happen when Saints play there next year?

It'll still get coverage!!

The sad fact is that we only currently have 4 "Lancashire" clubs in SL......if you dismiss Saints and Warrington as "Scouse" clubs......that leaves Salford and the 'umbles - both of whom play their home games on a Friday night!!
So, you might say, that leaves Sunday afternoon free for the region's Championship clubs......but it ain't gonna happen!!

Just listen to Saturday sports coverage - do you honestly think that Radio Manchester will cover Oldham, Stockport, Bury, or Rochdale, if City, Bolton, or Latics are playing at the same time?? They are always going to pander to what they perceive to be the largest audience.

For a public service broadcaster it stinks - but what can you do about it?
It's the same reason why The Superleague Show is shown regionally at random times, then nationally at silly o'clock.......yet you can pretty much set your watch by Match of The Day!!