2019 championship & league one..

[TDD91]

I've lived 10 miles from Sheffield for the vast majority of my life, I've played at their old ground in an American Football game, I've been to see Wigan against the Eagles numerous times. Unfortunately there just isn't the interest in Sheffield for any sport other than soccer. If you ground share with 1 of the 2 teams, you'll put off new fans from the other team and there aren't any other viable stadia in the city itself. Sheffield FC are an 8th tier soccer team and their stadium is about the right size for the average Eagles crowd, but their ground isn't easy to get to by public transport and there's nothing else really around it other than the pub the club owns.

 

[Evil Homer]

I've lived 10 miles from Sheffield for the vast majority of my life, I've played at their old ground in an American Football game, I've been to see Wigan against the Eagles numerous times. Unfortunately there just isn't the interest in Sheffield for any sport other than soccer. If you ground share with 1 of the 2 teams, you'll put off new fans from the other team and there aren't any other viable stadia in the city itself. Sheffield FC are an 8th tier soccer team and their stadium is about the right size for the average Eagles crowd, but their ground isn't easy to get to by public transport and there's nothing else really around it other than the pub the club owns.

The current location is ideal if they ever actually build the stadium there. I think the club have said that they won't ever move again either way.

 

[roughyedspud]

In a era where the RFL weren't shy about buying stadia or leases for stadia I can't for the life of me figure out why they didn't take a chance on the don valley stadium ??

I'd have ripped the track out,moved the pitch nearer the main stand,maybe put some temporary stands around the rectangular pitch.....I'd retain the original playing area and original bowl seating for concerts and maybe 20/20 & ODI cricket...

Such a waste imo

 

[deluded pom?]

I think RU is strong in a lot of these market towns in North Yorkshire.

I don’t doubt that but North Yorkshire, as Homer has already pointed out, has a small population and little in the way of any sporting success. I just don’t see York getting big attendances in SL should they get there. Plenty of away support but purely because York is a lovely city that isn’t too far from West Yorkshire or Hull.

 

[adamkungl]

I've lived 10 miles from Sheffield for the vast majority of my life, I've played at their old ground in an American Football game, I've been to see Wigan against the Eagles numerous times. Unfortunately there just isn't the interest in Sheffield for any sport other than soccer. If you ground share with 1 of the 2 teams, you'll put off new fans from the other team and there aren't any other viable stadia in the city itself. Sheffield FC are an 8th tier soccer team and their stadium is about the right size for the average Eagles crowd, but their ground isn't easy to get to by public transport and there's nothing else really around it other than the pub the club owns.

In a decent sized city, someone with drive (and money) can sell anything. If you can sell Rugby League in Toronto you can sure as shit sell it in Sheffield.

 

[Walter sobchak]

2 more wins for the Wolfpack and Toulouse yesterday who sit 1st&2nd respectively.

Damn shame potentially only one of these teams can win promotion to super league.

 

[Walter sobchak]

In a era where the RFL weren't shy about buying stadia or leases for stadia I can't for the life of me figure out why they didn't take a chance on the don valley stadium ??

I'd have ripped the track out,moved the pitch nearer the main stand,maybe put some temporary stands around the rectangular pitch.....I'd retain the original playing area and original bowl seating for concerts and maybe 20/20 & ODI cricket...

Such a waste imo

Not a bad call that actually. Slowly redevelop the stadium to a modern 25,000-30,000 stadium hosting England RL games, challenge cup double header semi-finals and championship&league1 playoff finals.

 

[Walter sobchak]

In a decent sized city, someone with drive (and money) can sell anything. If you can sell Rugby League in Toronto you can sure as shit sell it in Sheffield.

imo the key to growing RL in Sheffield is at grassroots. We need to get the kids playing, talking and watching RL at youth level. Primary and secondary schools as well as university and colleges in the area.

A city the size of Sheffield needs more than 1 grassroots club. The hillsborogh hawks. There should be at least 4-5 clubs.

 

[Evil Homer]

Not a bad call that actually. Slowly redevelop the stadium to a modern 25,000-30,000 stadium hosting England RL games, challenge cup double header semi-finals and championship&league1 playoff finals.

The stadium is gone. It was demolished about 4 years ago.

 

[Walter sobchak]

The stadium is gone. It was demolished about 4 years ago.

Sure. That glorified community pitch “stadium” is in its place.

 

[deluded pom?]

imo the key to growing RL in Sheffield is at grassroots. We need to get the kids playing, talking and watching RL at youth level. Primary and secondary schools as well as university and colleges in the area.

A city the size of Sheffield needs more than 1 grassroots club. The hillsborogh hawks. There should be at least 4-5 clubs.

That’s the way any expansion will work IMO. Sheffield should be able to sustain it’s own amateur league. It’s far bigger than Hull. I could easily envisage an eight team league in Sheffield.

 

[Walter sobchak]

That’s the way any expansion will work IMO. Sheffield should be able to sustain it’s own amateur league. It’s far bigger than Hull. I could easily envisage an eight team league in Sheffield.

Even a 8 team South Yorkshire amateur league would be better than what we have now with teams from Sheffield, Doncaster, Barnsley and Rotherham etc.

 

[Walter sobchak]

Majority of clubs vote in favour of allowing New York and Ottawa joining league 1 for 2020.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Majority of clubs vote in favour of allowing New York and Ottawa joining league 1 for 2020.

This North Amercian thing could get really interesting for the game if both are admitted and are a success anything like Toronto have been.

 

[RL The greatest game]

Rugby league in Ottawa & New York? Championship & League One clubs support proposals - BBC Sport

 

[Walter sobchak]

Some strange results this good Friday fixtures. Sheffield giving Toulouse a spanking and Bradford just pipping Halifax.

Good win for Widnes at home to Leigh in front of 6.000.

 

[deluded pom?]

Some strange results this good Friday fixtures. Sheffield giving Toulouse a spanking and Bradford just pipping Halifax.

Good win for Widnes at home to Leigh in front of 6.000.

A good day for TWP.

 

[Walter sobchak]

A good day for TWP.

Indeed. Must be strong favourites now to finish top with home games still to come.

 

[Walter sobchak]

The top4/5 in the championship still reads of an expansionists and big RL playing cities wet dream of :-

1. Toronto
2. Toulouse
3. Sheffield
4. York

5. Bradford

 

[Inkers75]

Agreed. York will always struggle to gain big crowds as Leeds, Cas and Hull are all within an hours drive away.

There is an excellent amateur presence in the City mind you.

I don’t doubt that but North Yorkshire, as Homer has already pointed out, has a small population and little in the way of any sporting success. I just don’t see York getting big attendances in SL should they get there. Plenty of away support but purely because York is a lovely city that isn’t too far from West Yorkshire or Hull.