25th July

We weren't knocked back because of our ground, we had planning permission to develop it.

We were knocked back because the RFL, under pressure from Sky, wanted London Broncos in Super League.

Maurice Lindsay with the backing of Br*dford, who were fearful of what Keighley and the rise of Cougarmania was doing to their own attendances, changed their rules 4 weeks from the end of the season.

We were sh@ on, and with respect to some of the things that have happened to Widnes over the years, it was the most disgraceful thing to happen in the history of our game. We lost our major sponsor on the back of not going up and the ensuing financial meltdown destoyed our club.

To this day every Keighlian despises everything and anything to do with Br*dford because of what happened.

Don't blame you mate. We all understand the feeling around here. People are constantly being taken advantage of in this sport. And look at Bradford now. They've had their fifteen minutes. Think what could've been for Keighley and where they went afterwards. I remember you lot being strong in this division. You were a pain in the . I hope one day you recover to what you once were.

Extract from the telegraph when Widnes came to Leigh later that season.


"The current Premiership record was set in the reverse fixture at the Auto Quest Stadium on Boxing Day 2000 when 6,644 fans turned out to see Leigh's 25-20 victory. "

We failed to beat to 6644 attendance, but 5670 was good enough for a 'non SL time' Leigh won that one too !

Them were the days when Leigh and Widnes really did pull the fans. Look what non-promotion league has done since ! Lower SL clubs can only dream of those attendances !

I seem to remember a large attendance at Boundary park later that season as well

I recall huge play off gates v Widnes, Oldham at HP.

That semi final v Leigh at HP was delayed for 10 minutes due to crowd congestion. We took over 3,000 to leigh that day and had the away end rocking.

Hey no offence to our fellow Yorkshire sides but we only get 20 to 50 fans maximum from clubs like Batley, Keighley, Dewsbury and Sheffield and that is on the top side sadly, some only bring 10 or 20 which is very sad, what has RL done to itself? So that is not a bonus to us tbh.
The only clubs who have good support outside SL are us (we could do better with a Cup/GF winning team so this year has been a disaster for us so far), Leigh, Fev (when they are on the up like now but too small a place to ever get big crowds) and Widnes.
The Cumbrian teams have too far to travel so don't bring that many even with a winning team.

You are forgetting Leigh and Widnes are by far the best supported away sides in this league. Re last season when we played at Barrow we took a lot more than 100. When you get beat 74-6 most tend to keep their mouths shut.

Bring back promotion and relegation and crowds would go up. Starbugs idea of cheap travel for away supporters is also a very good idea.

You werent there then the other year when Barrow brought around 500 to the Shay ?

Are you really down nigh on 800 speccies ?

I think it's quite clear what the lack of promotion/relegation is doing to attendances in the Championship leagues.

So far at Barrow our like-for-like attendances are slightly up this year on last. Admission prices rose 15% this season, so at least income will have increased by a similar amount (presumably). We still have Haven, Fax, Leigh and Widnes to play at home, so our average will only rise IMO. The footy season will also be over soon.

Widnes attendances, although still well top in the Championship, are declining - much like a lot of other clubs ...

2006 - 3530
2007 - 3407
2008 - 4517
2009 - 3808
2010 - 3072

I can't see the trend in the lower leagues changing much, unless promotion by right is brought back.

I didn't know Barrow had put their prices up, what are they now?

And don't bank on many Widnes fans getting up to Barrow for a 7.30pm kick off on a Thursday!

I think a reason Widnes gates have declined as we have similar seasons every year, looks like this year will be very similar to last year where we can beat anyone on the day but anyone can beat us. Maybe a decent run in the cup but we've got a very tough game against Barrow and Leigh are looking good.

I remember watching Widnes in the early 90's. I was only a relatively young lad then and to be honest, rugby wasn't my priority, but I was a regular attendee because I was proud to be following a succesful team and my granddad had a big influence. Unfortunately at this moment in time, we aren't the best which makes it a commitment from people to give up other priorities to watch Widnes.

My street on Saturday evening just before I left for the game was full of young kids, 9, 10, 11 etc who were all playing football and wearing football kits. Such a shame.

Out of interest, does anybody know what sort of crowds we got in the early 90's?

It's £15 Adult (+£1 transfer to Stand), £10 OAP, £5 kids.
Regarding the match v Widnes on Sky at Craven Park, the RFL have well and truly cocked-up. If either Barrow or Widnes progress in the Challenge Cup (Widnes have a very good chance), then the 5th Round is on Saturday 8th or Sunday 9th May. The Sky match is on Thursday 6th. Also bare in mind that Barrow's previous game is on the Monday before the Sky game (May 3rd).

So ...

Monday 3rd (Keighley v Barrow)
Thursday 6th (Barrow v Widnes SKY)
Sat/Sun 8th/9th (5th Round of Challenge Cup)

I haven't got a clue what they'll do if either team wins their 4th round match.

Whilst I think that are our fans are being turned off to the idea of a competition that's main motivation for winning has been ripped out I do think the away fans have a lot to do with these numbers.
The away numbers this year has been pitiful.. Barrow and Fax have been our two biggest home games and both sides brought little in the way of away fans.
Looking at those numbers. 2008 we had Salford in the competition and to be fair they brought a good number of fans that year. Leigh also brought good numbers that year and both, deservedly so, had the West Stand opened to handle the numbers.
Last year we lost Salford and had Gateshead and Toulouse replace them!! Leigh were on a significant downer and brought far fewer.
This year hopefully Leigh will be back in numbers to raise the numbers a little.

Thought we still brought at least 500 last season from memory though Chris so still substantially larger than everyone else?

SRC - the Barra-Widnes game would be postponed if it clashes with the Challenge Cup as, even though you're playing on the Thursday, it's still classed as the same round of fixtures. Sky then end up showing an extra Super League game IIRC.

Which street is this?

Why are you so interested?

He needs to know if its your Leigh, Wire or Widnes address

Ever seen 'silence of the lambs'? well thats Dalto.

As it says it my profile, Widnes.

Brooklands Park to be more precise.

Do you need the number?

I think you need to get over your suspicions. Its quite embarrassing for you.

[url=http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=fingerpost+merseyside&sll=53.340422,-2.24926&sspn=0.195145,0.614548&ie=UTF8&hq=fingerpost&hnear=Merseyside,+United+Kingdom&t=h&layer=c&cbll=53.453557,-2.722216&panoid=Uy6btzYBf-NxdJAp6PTcEg&cbp=12,324.51,,0,13.79&ll=53.453509,-2.573547&spn=0,0.43808&z=12Gotta be this one .............[/url

Cant be fingerposts again, can it?

I was just being curious. I mean, none of your posts have ever come from a widnes address and all. I don't know why I've let this go on for so long.