Doubt Pearson's doing it for the love of anything TBH. But his history shows him to be neither stupid nor insane, so he'll know that a merger won't do anything to improve his fortunes - quite the opposite in fact.

Allam, on the other hand, comes across as madder than Mad Jack McMad and has publicly stated his opinion that a merger is the way forward. See the difference yet?

This last point is why I don't think that Hudgell will be inviting Allam to take over the reigns at Rovers.

I personally dont think there will be a merger does it not worry you in the slightest that say in 3 years time the crowds won't be at the 15,000 what pearson wants do you think as a (non rugby or FC fan ) he will continue to bank roll fc if they dont reach the heights which pearson wants, just a bit of devils advocate here

He'd clearly be looking at whether it's worth staying, as he's a businessman, and I would expect him to as well.

The challenge 10k is a great initiative that could help to achieve bigger crowds though and he's (hopefully) recruiting players who'll put bums on seats, so things are moving in the right direction. But if it all goes belly up, of course he'd be daft not to consider walking away

He bought a rugby league club to make money, how barking is that

Mad jack mcmad haha . Is that a blackadder quote ?

Not stupid or insane or anywhere near, certainly not enough to want a merger.

But there have been a couple of mis-steps and the HFC's press releases have been a bit cult of personality a few times of late.

Isn't it nice how we worry so much on each other's behalfs?

Back in the 80's the best crowds tended to be in cup competitions , not included in your figures.

For example in 1981 Rovers got home crowds of 13,764 Cup v York, 14,315 Cup v Salford, 13,508 premiership play off v Widnes and 13,760 premiership play off v St Helens. Include these and the average is much higher.

That season Rovers in fact got 7 home attendances in excess of 10,000 and the average was brought down by playing 5 games in 11 days near the end, 4 at home and the other away to Hull. The majority paid on the day back then and crowds fell off sharply for those 4 home games.

That season was Rovers peak for crowds and whether it could be repeated now who knows. But when people say Rovers have never been able to draw crowds in excess of 10,000 well that's largely true but it has been done. Rovers also of course regularly got bigger average crowds than Hull in the 1960's.

[urlhttp://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/Championship_1980-81/Hull_Kingston_Rovers/summary.html[/url

Just listened to the interview on humberside with hudge and while he mentions there is board room talk this next week he also said he isn't offering false promises to fans to go out and buy passes he will tell us that we may go back for a couple of seasons to be right back up there with the best of British, he is now realising that throwing money at players doesn't get you anywere except in lots of debt so I think it's more positive tbh and he has faith in sandercock...... No way is hudgell walking away.

I am amazed by those attendances quoted for 81. All i can think is that the away team brought massive away support. Whenever i went, there was always massive gaps behind both ends. Only when we played Hull was the stadium nearly full. Only if we can attract massive away support will we smash through the 10000 barrier. Maybe this new stand will bring the away fans.. But away fans seem to hate coming to hull especially east hull.

I don't think the lack of away support is unique to you. For differing reasons we both to seem to see less supporters coming to Hull than other teams seem to enjoy. We both suffer by being so far away from the other teams and this is compounded at KC by the ticket cost. In Rovers' case I think its the long range viewing that they have to endure. Its for such reasons we need each other as we both contribute to the others upkeep.

Apologies if already mentioned, but is it confirmed that Peter May has stepped down from the board? Think Humberside mentioned it earlier in the week. Think he has the biggest individual shareholding.

all teams are suffering wakey and cas only managed 7000

Its not been officially announced, perhaps after this weeks Board meeting, and yes Pete is the major shareholder which I am sure you already know!

Strange how this has gone under the radar because quite frankly its far bigger than NH and RC threatening to withdraw their support. Pete May is an institution so this is siesmic. I don't know why he is stepping down but it seems more than a coincidence.

Pretty sure it was mentioned on Humberside this week that he'd stepped down, and Hudgell did say "there are two of us on the board" ie him and Crossland. From what Hudgell said earlier in the year, it's been the three of them bankrolling the club, but May's had a lower profile it seems.

Was announced at the POTY on Tues Night by Hudge

It would seem the Oz press have picked up on NHs lament at Rovers continuing losses. Steve Mascord’s opening gambit, in his article ‘Australian club teams could help save game in Britain’ (SMH 13 Sep 2012), sets the tone and he doesn’t pull any punches as he mocks NHs delayed season passes comment.

When do we find out the outcome of the big meeting? Rob Crossland is off to Mumbai - has it taken place already? I honestly think the Allams are taking over, not trolling, I genuinely think it will happen. Couple of shareholding shuffles this year, some cryptic comments. Watch this space. Always wanted to put that.

Wakefield have had the largest % increase in gates in SL. Their average is over 8,000 and larger than ours. Some of this is away fan numbers, but their own support has increased now they have 2 garden sheds to stand in.

I tend to agree and there are plenty of whispers that indicate it is, I did laugh when Rufus came out on that horse it will be hilarious when he comes out on a camel

Tbf in Cairo they tend to travel round on donkeys not camels, the camels tend to hang around the desert area

It will have to be a camel then, Clinton's gone home.

I think you are correct, I have never wanted to say that!

Unfortunately, despite the protestations of some of our rowdier fans, it happens on a rather frequent basis.

i should have been more clearer it was the cas home game against wakefield they were after a 10000 gate and really marketed the game but fell well short i wasnt referring to wakefields home att in general

No worries mate. Cas have been utter all year and the attendances have suffered accordingly. Due to the ground layout (i.e. you can rock up late, pay on the gate ans stand anywhere) I suspect their Season ticket numbers are relatively low. This only becomes a problem when you are gash. Rovers were also gash, but high % of season tickets meant most of us still turned up despite losing 153 consecutive home games (well that's what it feels like).