I think Ralph is a bit younger than me. I do remember Huddersfield being as much of a rugby town as a football one. Fartown was pretty impressive in the late sixties then it wen t down hill very quickly until in the eighties it was basically game over.
Fair play to Huddersfield council they ensured by then a basket case RL club still had a 15% stake in the new stadium. I hope HKR go down similar to Wire scum fans.
See you don't note that the last match against Leeds Rhinos was 3.500 plus! there were as many at Wakefield who travelled from London as some much longer established clubs take to away games these days, Huddersfield for one! London needs a Super League Club, the amateur and school game is now more successful than many places in The North, they do not have debts thanks to David Hughes, who even cancelled retirement from his flying job in oil sales to continue backing the club. Yes they need their own ground, but London is difficult with land prices. I wrote a document with the late Peter Deakin way back when he was at Bradford Bulls, at that point the RFL should have bought land when it was much cheaper, made it a centre of excellence and had a London RFL HQ & Press Office there, with plastic pitches just starting the ground could have been used 7 days a week, had amateur cup finals there and school finals, it would have been a much better investment than Odsal at the time.
As you do credit the London Club have and are succeeding with their youth teams, The Academy is doing so well this season, but already one forward is being looked at by two NRL clubs and Wigan, even at such a young age, how many players have been taken from London to the North, it is easy to name a Super League side with London players. Next Friday I hope they do win! what a tough match it will be, especially with some London players joining clubs next season who may get relegated! Given a chance, being able to hold on to players London can do well, but now they need a real major owner, Mr Hughes like the Huddersfield owner are both getting no younger. Pity help us as a sport if we lose Sky money!
Jaybs, that's an excellent post. I was at the Wigan v London academy game yesterday and although Wigan won comfortably in the end the scoreline flattered them. London actually led 12 - 6 at halftime and have some really promising athletic players. #5 and #6 were outstanding. KP-P #11 is coming to Wigan next season and as you say was wanted by at least one Aussie club that I know of.
"The great fallacy is that the game is first and last about winning. It is nothing of the kind. The game is about glory, it is about doing things in style and with a flourish, about going out and beating the other lot, not waiting for them to die of boredom." Danny Blanchflower.
Might have been written by a footballer about football - but never a truer word............
That wasn't my intention Belgian.
Was just giving my praise for his performance and skill set some context- there are quite a few halves/pivots playing regularly in the NRL who are the same age as Lamb or younger.
I do think he was really good the other night and as I say, interested to see what happens to him next year. Could he join his dad at Wigan?
Also depending on who gets relegated, there's quite a few strong performers who could become available. From Wakefield and Huddersfield especially.
Regards,
STEVO
All super league games moved to Friday ,
Huddersfield Giants
19:45
Catalans Dragons,
Hull FC
19:45
St Helens ,
Leeds Rhinos
19:45
Warrington Wolves ,
Salford Red Devils
19:45
Hull K R ,
Wakefield Trinity
19:45
London Broncos .
All the games should have been played on Friday with the same kick off time. One should have been selected for Sky with the others as an option on the red button.
Completely agree, to have one game on a Thursday and the others on a Friday with league positions at stake is ridiculous.
To also move 3 games at less than a weeks notice is terrible for the supporters involved and will impact the crowds.
The games should all be on a Friday at 7.45 and s big deal should be made of it like they do in football.
Originally Posted by Despondent Dave
I'd forgotten all about that. Jordan Abdul has signed for KR hasn't he? Puts him in a wierd situation next week. He's fairly pivotal for London. He'll be going into the Wakey game knowing that chances are if they win he'll be playing in the championship next season as a result.
Given that Abdull has been instrumental in London beating Hull KR twice since he signed a contract with KR, I can’t see that he’ll do anything less than try to end on the winning side this weekend. If he succeeds, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see London re-sign him for next year.
For me the interesting point is that all teams have their fate in their own hands.
The winner of Wakefield vs London will stay up and Huddersfield and HKR are safe if they win because they will be higher than the loser of the first game.
I could agree with you but then we would both be wrong.
Can you imagine a golden point game between Wakey and London wouldn't mind seeing that.
Learned comment from The Don
Friday 13th? I hope none of the teams are triskaidekaphobiac.
Just a pity Leeds aren't in the frame. Would love those jammy tw*ts to go down.
I think it will be Hull KR who go down.
Salford won't mess up their playoff run
Catalan have packed up weeks ago
London will be more up for it than wakey who are safe barring wins for all other 3 teams.
Personally I think Hull KR going down is a bigger loss to the league as they have a larger fan base than the other 3 put together.
London need to grow to be add value to the league, location is not enough.
Huddersfield probably have more potential than Wakey, who do not seem to be developing off the field at any rate.
So if it was a corporate contest I would relegate Wakey, giving the sporting context then I would prefer London to go down as I feel they bring less to the party.
But I still think it will be Hull KR.
Gutted London are relegated.
Having a presence in the capital benefits our sport, whereas the lihes of Huddersfield & Wakefield just plod along doing nothing but be happy to keep pocketing the TV money. Do they even bother to run Academy sides any more? The growth in participation in the London area and the players they bring through is amazing.
Time to go to a 14 team Super League. 26 weekly rounds plus magic weekend. Top seven playoff. Bottom 4 playoffs to see one team relegated
Frankly I would prefer a 16 team Super League with no playoffs. 30 weekly rounds. Top of the league are champions bottom team is relegated but there is no chance of that