Living in the past aren't we? - this argument that you are famous lacks any respectability whatsoever, WERE is the correct description and trying to undermine a Challenge Cup Final because Wigan missed out doesn't sound like a true RL Fan, and certainly won't put things right on the field.

Although - i admit i beliveve that if Saints had made the Final - Wembley would have been packed to the rafters. But nevertheless i think Huddersfield could sell near to 15 000 and Warrington 25 000.

And to many neutrals who i have spoke to - they are looking forward to this Final more than many previous - due to the fact that both sides are so evenly matched, unlike Saints vs Catalans/ Hull.

it will still be packed with stains fans as many were so arrogant to assume they'd be there and pre-ordered tickets

yes therll be a 3/4 full stadium

For a supposed big and famous club, Wire fans don't half have a small club mentality. Jeez, the biting on this thread lol.

Robinson is right, this is a harder sell to the general public than a final with Saints, Wigan or Leeds in it. Face facts, not matter how competitive you are [inow[/i, neither Huddersfield nor Warrington have won trophies for a long time. Trophy winners get publicity, clubs that have rarely competed in a final for 20+ years don't.

The fact that it should be a close fought game matters little outside the RL fraternity, because people outside that fraternity won't know that.

Entirely correct.

I'm sure they are capable of understanding it, but as lot simply don't want to. A lot don't like hearing the truth, especiaqlly as it doesn't suit them.

Except that I'm not sure it is the truth. It's a fair opinion, but that doesn't mean it's 100% accurate.

My travels around the country regularly depress me about the perception held of RL. Most fans who watch it in non-RL strongholds tend to be ex-pats from the game's heartland. None of my London pals can name any current RL players, the way they could name Edwards, Offiah, Jonathon Davies, etc.

The game was once seen in these areas as a kind of quaint anachronism. The cup final was a day for a load of flat-cap wearing northerners to invade the capital and sing about Ilkley Moor or lassies from Lancashire. All that's gone now (and thank God for it), but we've replaced it with what ... a slick but very small game that most non-northerners aren't prepared to pay Sky subscriptions to watch, and so don't follow it any more (if they ever followed it). One pal of mine from the South Coast recently asked me if RL had been swallowed by RU, because he hears so little about it these days.

Wigan and Saints are still well known as big RL clubs, but more because of their past exploits. No-one I know down south has ever heard of Sean Long or Kieran Cunningham. When you mention Wigan, if often invokes hostility because of a perception that the RL is preventing the football from taking it's rightful place at centre stage.

I honestly don't think the difference between a Wigan v Saints cup final or a Hudds v Wire cup final will make so much difference that it's worth arguing about. But if it did, don't you think that would be a pretty depressing state of affairs? That the RFL would want a Wigan v Saints final every year, because that's the only way they'd get Joe Public to watch?

IM agreeing with a leigh fan who would av thought it, i do think it will be an entertering game for everyone in the ground and watching wordwide.

SAD, SAD, SAD post

I doubt that they do want a Saints Wigan final every year, but they need to sell a Huddersfield Wire game differently and more aggresively.

That is quite true but it is their first final for years. I am pretty sure next time we get to a final we will be creaming ourselves.

I understand them creaming themselves, no problem with that. It's the 'how dare you not call us a big club' attitude that makes me laugh.

Well there was a thread on their board ages ago saying they were a bigger club than Wigan so I quoted the thread on our board and now they all hate me for it



They are a big club but untill people outside RL have a clue who they are, where they play and what they have achieved they are not a big club like Wigan, Saints or Leeds.

Well thats a no brainer all three of them clubs have won alot of cups in the last 15 years wigan being 7 years ago so thats more on your past people remember you for, with saints and leeds its recently but getting to a final is a good start and even better when its Smiths first season and not even a full one at that.

I am afraid you are completely incorrect. I have a number of friends/collegues (20+) that live in the London area and over the last 5/6years I have persuaded to go to the CC Final. Last year they said if St. Helens get there this year they will not go, cant be bothered watching a one sided game. Guess what, they are all going this year (bar 2 that are on holiday).... change is as good as a rest... It will do the CC the world of good not having the usual suspects there.....

Why does the RFL need to sell it? A final sells itself.

Do you work for the BBC secretly? As yes maybe fewer will tune in to watch Ray 'he's going for the liiiiine' French. Gutted about that.

Does anyone have the figures of the amount of tickets sold for Wembley so far?

they only went on sale today for wire n giants so i dont think they will say anything til tomorrow

We have sold close to 8k in one day, but alot of neutrals will already have tickets no idea about them.

It sells itself to the fans of the clubs there and the ones who go year in year out no matter who is there it doesn't sell itself to the others though.

Is the allocation for each team that reaches the final still 10,000 or has it gone up to more?

Sure I heard 14k but im really not sure.

How many do saints and Leeds normally take to finals?

How many did we take in 2004?

The points made about Rugby League's profile down in the south are spot on.
Living in London, and with friends working in the media, RL has about the same profile, unfortunately, as international tiddlywinks.
I was going to say badminton, but in today's Times and on BBC sport there is more info on badminton.
Apart from its football supplement the Times has 12 pages of sport. RL has a 1 column 19 line side box to report the entire semi final round.
When I used to tell people I'm from Wigan peole used to talk about Rugby. Now I get "haven't the football team done well!"
When Shaun Edwards gets a mention it's ALWAYS as a Rugby Union coach; his Wigan glory days are not on the radar.
Unfortunately it doesn't seem to matter who is playing in the final, to the madia down here it's a non event.
The matter of how a great product got into this condition is another story.

Rugby league - The best kept secret in British sport

One of those "Hollywood" actors is a washed up old has-been who really ISN'T famous any more living in the past......................... All right, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up.