Have Wigan / RL fans developed a lazy season ticket holding culture?

[Kaii]

I'm sure most of those that did go, were either unemployed, had no pressing commitments the following day (eg school for kids) or were lucky enough to have 9-5 jobs that ensure the ridiculous scheduling (that has no consideration for the paying fan) did not prevent them watching "live"

Well for me the second the match was over i had to rush to the car park where i got in to my work clothes, drive my girlfriend and son home then rush to work. The complete opposite of what you described.

IMO i think this has more to do with a run of games either at the DW or close enough to get to like Wire, Widnes or Saints which will put a strain on anyone's finances. I tried to be sensible and choose between last nights match or the saints one, saints match won but brought the Widnes tickets anyway

[markill]

There are people who would miss the qurter/semi so they have the money to spend on a trip to Wembley if we got there.

I don't think 'laziness' is a justification to be honest. Some of the other points you've gone on to raise have more merit. Maybe the game isn't marketed well enough overall, although league attendances don't suffer from this as much as 'extra' matches, so not sure thats a factor.

People who like sport will pay for sky because although it ins't free, you get masses of coverage for your money. If you have sky, you'll watch a game like last night rather than go if you don't have lots of disposable income as you've already aid for sky to watch the football, or the cricket, or other non-Wigan Super League games. I don't think it is an oxymoron. £20 for a month of sport you can watch every evening, or £16 or whatever it was people paid last night for a game we all expected to win comfortably that just had no hype surrounding it as a result.

I think you're looking for a problem and finding your own answer to have a go here. I mean, it would be like saying you'r a lazy fan because you don't have a season ticket, which I appreciate most likely is not the case.

[stevethegas]

It was a very disappointing crowd last night, and the noise was mostly generated by Widnes fans. It would have been better for a bigger crowd to have attended, but while all the reasons others have given are valid, it's not good enough. The sad truth is that this game, and many league games, aren't seen as important enough.

That's really sad for this great sport. It's still the best entertainment on a field of play you can get, and worth the attendance just for that. If it ain't nurtured it will slowly wither away, and then we'd all be losers.

So shame on you who couldn't find the time or energy to attend. True supporters turn up time and again, and rugby league and Wigan deserve better.

[Owd Codger]

The crowd last night was no different than what it would have been for a Latic's non season ticket game on a Monday night, especially with it being was on television. At the same time, all clubs need to look at the prices, now that the Challenge Cup rounds are now overshadowed by the Super League.

As for Widnes making more noise, I think you will find that these days, many away supporters tend to make more noise than the home crowd, especially when you get a large group of youngster's like last night more interested in making a noise to get on television instead of watching the game. Mind you, they had not much to support.

[DaveO]

I ask the question?

A crowd of 6,327 which included anywhere between 500-750 fans; maybe more suggests it and past non season ticket holding pay by ticket attendances suggest so

What do others think?

I think it is a combination of several factors.

1. Stupid Monday night scheduling. Monday night is not traditionally in the UK a big night for sport and I really do think after day 1 back in work after the weekend people are not really up for a night out of any kind.

2. It's a school day the day after so this may affect who takes their kids especially as it is on TV.

3. TV will also affect other peoples attendance.

4. Then there is the competition itself. Like the league it throws up some one-sided games as the standard of RL in this country is poor with only a small number of clubs who are any good. Add that to the fact you have to pay to watch what many will see as a forgone conclusion why is anyone surprised the gate is lower than the corresponding league fixture when season ticket holders get in for "free"?

If we had been playing Wire it would IMO have been a big crowd. Not a sell out because price of tickets will still affect some but if we had been playing them it would not have been a Monday fixture anyway.

5. RFL "marketing" and the move to the GF. When the play-offs were introduced the RFL were so desperate to make it the premier competition they seemed to make a concious effort to devalue the CC just as they did the league. When I was growing up watching the game the CC was RL's big day out. That gave the RFL a problem in that they wanted the GF to eclipse it. So what did they do? Although partly down to the move to summer they moved the CC and you get the impression the CC rounds are shoe horned in as a minor irritation. Big gaps between rounds and even things like Millenium Magic get bigger billing during the season than the cup quarter finals. Is it any wonder the fans no longer view these games as important as they once were?

Get knocked out of the cup? So what it's the GF that matters is the attitude and unlike when the league was how the championship was decided you can still be in with a chance of glory in the GF even if you are as low as 8th.

So in the past clubs who were already out of contention for the league title had one last chance to get to something out of the season with the CC. Now they have the comfort blanket of the play-offs so not only is not winning the league something to shrug the shoulders about but getting knocked out of the cup isn't such a big deal either.

[devon jim 1]

my thoughts exactly Dave O. Did we really need support with Widnes's kamikazi game? Kevin Brown was the only shining light for Widnes.

[dickie]

Are any other supporters concerned about attendancies at cup matches, gone are days of packed stadia and rossettes with your team colours on,and a small silver fa cup in the middle never a rl one,scarves and rattles no one had replica jerseys in the old days.I seriously think rl is dying, I am from the old breed 60yrs of rugby behind me.I mean 6000 for a game against widnes is unheard of ,we would have got treble that against liverpool city, a couple of weeks ago there was about 6000 for hudds v leeds in a league match,yes i think the game is dying and is so predictable .

[wall_of_voodoo]

I'm sure most of those that did go, were either unemployed, had no pressing commitments the following day (eg school for kids) or were lucky enough to have 9-5 jobs that ensure the ridiculous scheduling (that has no consideration for the paying fan) did not prevent them watching "live"

Well for me the second the match was over i had to rush to the car park where i got in to my work clothes, drive my girlfriend and son home then rush to work. The complete opposite of what you described.

Not at all. No disrespect but you prove my point exactly. The match finished at just gone 9.42pm. You obviously lived close enough to the stadium AND to your works for your actions to be viable (assuming you start work at 10pm). If you are on flexi-hours then you have no point to make at all

How many others have that scenario?

I know season ticket holders that HAVE to leave matches early just in order to make their start of work (and that is for Friday matches). They are still true supporters but whose game-time is ruled by work

If your works are anything like mine then you will have to book your holidays months in advance just for the chance to get them in Summer. The chances for an "odd" day of in the middle of July are nominal to say the least, especially for a specific date. Monday night fixtures, especially ones arranged relatively soon after a previous round can always expect poor attendances, not to mention other points, the likes of DaveO point to

[Wandering Warrior]

Yes, but I wonder how many will be up for Leigh on a Saturday afternoon that couldn't be bothered last night and thus denying season ticket holders?

[josie andrews]

Yes, but I wonder how many will be up for Leigh on a Saturday afternoon that couldn't be bothered last night and thus denying season ticket holders?

I know of a few people who never attend a game home or away but are always there for the finals

They say they are proper supporters :conf: