You did read my post - and that very acknowledgment - didn’t you?

If you’re a proper fan you’ll get down the DW and cheer the lads on, potentially Wane’s, Tomkins, Bateman and Sutton last ever games for Wigan, massive semi final game, but you won’t go because what? atmosphere hasn’t been great all year

Honest opinion asked for. Honest opinion given. Usual RL Fans board reaction. I’ve hardly killed someone, son.
Proper fan my . I’m a wigan fan with more to my life than Wigan RL. I’m not paying 50 odd quid for my family to sit in a half empty stadium when we can sit at home and enjoy the game just as much.

As for the ‘atmosphere hasn’t been good all year’. Where have you been since 2012? I’m bored of the lack of spectacle. I’ll watch sky and listen to Millsy (and hopefully Bilko?) on Wish. If that means you don’t want me at OT next week (if we get there) then I won’t be losing any sleep.

I aren’t particularly bothered about if you go to Old Trafford or not, it’s just your view is everything that’s wrong with Wigan fans and Rugby League fans in particular. Your view of we’ll probably win so I’ll turn up at old Trafford is quite sad because it’s reflective of modern day fans. Friday night is one of the biggest games in years for us, but hey you can watch it on tv so never mind

Statements like that annoy me.

I started watching Wigan in 1976 albeit from a Oran. I was a season ticket holder for around 25 years also going to most away games until life took me 250 miles away.

Now I do shift work, the need to provide for my family far outweighs my desire to attend so I will be watching the recording when I get in from work around 10:30 on Friday night.

I guess that means I am not a proper fan then?

Not at all, life circumstances mean you simply can't attend games currently. I was the same five years ago.

For those who know they could easily attend but choose not to, you're completely entitled to do whatever you like. But you can distinguish between those [ifans[/i who truly care about the club and the game of rugby league and the [ifollowers[/i who simply care about themselves and their night's entertainment.

Fair enough if you're in the latter category as long as you don't claim to be anything more. The challenge for the sport is to reverse the trend of declining attendances by persuading the public that you would truly be missing out if you didnt attend. That's essentially Robert Elstone's main target. Although some won't attend because they feel others won't, those same fans will also likely attend if they feel others will. We need to reverse the domino effect.

Huge difference between that and somebody just saying they’ll watch on the tele through choice. I’m sure not one person would get in to you for that and in truth nobody should get in to anybody who simply chooses not to go because they’d rather watch it at home. We all make our own choices.

I wouldn’t miss it for the world yet there’s been the odd game this season where I’ve simply not felt like going and that is unbelievable really as there were seasons I wouldn’t miss a game Home or away and miss out on all sorts of holidays, family parties etc. I blame the ridiculous league set up and the lack of quality across the board for that. To not attend a semi final is unthinkable for me personally but that’s me and not everyone’s the same.

I politely disagree, It may well be half empty, but i doubt it will be soulless. We are travelling in huge numbers (compared to Wire who have sold just over 2000 for a 12 mile trip), the away end will be packed and bouncing.

I dont know if any of you agree but there is always something special about Cas v Wigan.

**Just on a side note, all the best to Shaun Wane (apart from Friday), I like the bloke and hope he goes on to achieve everything he wants to in his future.

Not to be personal , as I do not know your circumstances, but your description I wonder is it not a reflection on life priorities changing as well and that for a lot of people on here as they get older and other things in life take precedent then they will not go to as many games . I also wonder if the shortfall is not (as in previous generations) being made up by younger fans (with all the other options now available) and that is where the part of the diminishing attendances comes from?

One other thing to note is the weather, I watched the BBC weather forecast this morning and they literally ignored Friday night. For certain there is a warm/mild weather front which can go either way and the BBC failed to commit. I think it will be a last minute call but there could be a lot of dropped ball.

Just over 4300 tickets sold now. Will probably be a sell out by the time the game kicks off.

In regards to myself you’re probably spot on. I’ve got a five year old child and time spent with her cuts back the time you spend with friends. That means that when opportunities come up to go out with friends, that clash with games that don’t mean a great deal, it’s a much tougher choice then it used to be.

In regards to the junior fans, I’d agree that’s a huge issue. There doesn’t seem to be half as many kids in the South Stand as there was five years back.

Great effort that on a Friday night. Hope the M62 is playing ball!

Here’s to a great game.

there will be at least one car full arriving leaving cas around 1 o'clock to do battle with the motorways!

The motorways are nothing, wait till you reach the Saddle Junction at Robin Park

Sad but true

Forecast to rain all night and the temp will drop a notch.

Proper rugby weather

There in lies most of the problems the sport faces. Less juniors participating, not just rugby but when you see football clubs with years of history folding you know there are problems.

Unfortunately young peoples attitudes are so far and away from what it was when we were young, im 34 now and every waking minute of free time was spent playing rugby and football, it is just not the case now at all. Getting kids interesting in playing/attending sports is getting harder and harder. No amount of Robert Elstone's or Eddie Hearns will be able to changed kids attitudes

I watched a news report last night on how much money is involved in these E Sports comps now with lads representing football clubs in FIFA tournaments and the like.

The world is definitely changing!

My son was a season ticket holder from being 5 years old. One of the reasons he no longer goes is because it was clashing with the E Sports events he watches..

Cas team:
Mata’utia
Clare
Wardle
Shenton
Eden
Roberts
Gale
Watts
McShane
Millington
Holmes
McMeekan
Massey

Clark
Milner
Webster
Sene-Lafeo

Cook and Minikin the two players missing from the 19 man squad.

Jesus! We had games consoles as kids but the only time it was interesting is if your mates came round as playing against the computer was boring. With online gaming so massive now its unsurprising kids aren't always out like we were.

Sad to see

Crazy days. My little one sits watching videos of other kids playing with their toys instead of playing with her own.

I’m at that stage now of saying ‘when I were a lad....’

Haha.. I can beat that. How about watching videos of other kids opening kinder eggs? The mind boggles!