Re: 2021 Challenge Cup Semi-Final Draw : Thu May 13, 2021 4:39 pm  

Airlie Street wrote:

And what if Headingley wasn't available, have you considered that?

Your pass pays for home Super League games and not Challenge Cup Semi-Finals, so that has no relevance here.

I mean fans paying their pay money last season despite not getting anything in return

That was a big lifeline in some clubs staying alive

Re: 2021 Challenge Cup Semi-Final Draw : Thu May 13, 2021 4:42 pm  

Chris71 wrote:

It is simply a very poor decision by the RFL to hold the semi finals at Leigh and its decisions like this and these thought processes that think it would be OK that hold the sport back.

If the press release is to be believed and the semi finals had been scheduled for this date over 6 months ago then surely someone somewhere within the RFL would have come up with 2 options with respect of possible lockdown scenario's.

The first option being if there were still strict restrictions in the place and the second option being if the restrictions had been eased to allow fans to attend.

The other issue I have with the RFL statement such as 'Several stadiums were considered based on being a neutral venue for the 4 Semi Finalists, being available on June 5, being able to host Rugby League, being geographically located somewhere accessible for the fans who would want to attend', hell fire Southampton is geographically located somewhere that's accessible, its even got a train station unlike Leigh. You would think they would look for somewhere more central rather than a stadium a stones throw from 3 teams who had a very real chance of reaching the semi's in Wigan, St's & Warrington.

As for the idea of a triple header for me the jury's out on this as to why they feel it was such a good idea or to suggest this to the BBC for the coverage. The football season is over when the Semi finals take place and feel the RFL once again have missed the chance by a country mile to really promote the sport to a new audience.

But even ignoring the above the biggest thing for me looking at it is, this is the sports prestigious competition at the Semi Final stage and the RFL seem to think a fitting venue to hold such an event is the Leigh Sports Village!!! That for me just sums up why the game is falling on its backside.

Can you ever imagine the FA holding the FA Cup Semi Finals at Blackpools Bloomfield Road or Oxfords Kassam Stadium for example? Not even the League Two Play-Offs would be held at venues like that as the FA regard their product highly and as such for prestige events they select venues fitting of the occasion..

The clubs need to take a look at themselves aswell

They never question or fight against these ideas and just go along with it

The RFL and clubs lack of ambition is why the game is nearly dead

Re: 2021 Challenge Cup Semi-Final Draw : Thu May 13, 2021 5:23 pm  

Thetalentboy wrote:

The clubs need to take a look at themselves aswell

They never question or fight against these ideas and just go along with it

The RFL and clubs lack of ambition is why the game is nearly dead

You have a point
I just wonder what would have happened if all four semi finalists told the RFL we dont want this venue so change it or we dont play.
Its too small and we need more fans to be able to attend and also its an artificial surface which doesnt help any team apart from leigh

Re: 2021 Challenge Cup Semi-Final Draw : Thu May 13, 2021 5:33 pm  

Thetalentboy wrote:

The clubs need to take a look at themselves aswell

They never question or fight against these ideas and just go along with it

The RFL and clubs lack of ambition is why the game is nearly dead

You sound more like bumpy every day.

Re: 2021 Challenge Cup Semi-Final Draw : Thu May 13, 2021 5:37 pm  

I doubt SL clubs would want to pick a fight with a governing body there trying to get back in bed with after the Elstone debacle .

Re: 2021 Challenge Cup Semi-Final Draw : Thu May 13, 2021 9:32 pm  

bonaire wrote:

We certainly dont want to be playing at Odsal.The image it portrays on the TV is exaclty what we dont want as it is a run down old stadium.
When you get the chance to promote the game on terrestrial TV like the BBC its important that viewers especially new to the game not only see the sport but also see that its played in modern stadiums.The TV coverage at a modern ground actually adds to the game and my concern about Leigh apart from a lack of fans is when i have seen games at Leigh on TV the stadium doesnt come across well on TV.This is probably due to the lack of a good high position for the TV cameras.
The other concern for me its an artificial pitch which for rugby league i personally dont like

I agree with your sentiments regarding the Leigh Sports Village, but the pitch is grass, and usually is in top class condition.

Re: 2021 Challenge Cup Semi-Final Draw : Fri May 14, 2021 7:00 am  

Thetalentboy wrote:

The clubs need to take a look at themselves aswell

They never question or fight against these ideas and just go along with it

The RFL and clubs lack of ambition is why the game is nearly dead

Or perhaps the lack of noise from the clubs, demonstrates their insight into the issues of organising the event in the present circumstances.

Re: 2021 Challenge Cup Semi-Final Draw : Fri May 14, 2021 1:19 pm  

A ballot has just opened for tickets.... https://www.hullfc.com/blog/2021/05/14/ ... -now-open/ Not a clue why/how this is supposed to help... "To maximise available capacity within Leigh Sports Village, seating will be in groups of six supporters. If you are applying as a group of less than six then you may still be allocated with another group of supporters to make a six."

A ballot has just opened for tickets.... https://www.hullfc.com/blog/2021/05/14/ ... -now-open/ Not a clue why/how this is supposed to help... "To maximise available capacity within Leigh Sports Village, seating will be in groups of six supporters. If you are applying as a group of less than six then you may still be allocated with another group of supporters to make a six."

Re: 2021 Challenge Cup Semi-Final Draw : Fri May 14, 2021 1:23 pm  

Yeah I won't be applying for tickets

Re: 2021 Challenge Cup Semi-Final Draw : Fri May 14, 2021 1:26 pm  

Good luck to people entering the ballot. As it turns out I have my second vaccination that day so I'll stick to watching the game on TV.

A shame as the semi can be such a great occasion if you win. Fingers crossed we''ll be scrambling for Wembley tickets in just over three weeks.