SUPERLEAGUE 2008

[Milkman™]

Big kick off this weekend see's my beloved Kingston Rovers taking on my hometown club, Leeds.

Here's to a great new season, anyone who has not watched before I urge you to take a look or try take in a live game, beats the game the southern softies play into a clocked hat.

[heja]

can't stand this game

most of the uk would probably agree too when most teams come from around the same area

[Adam]

As an avid St Helens fan and having been to watch a fair few games in the past.. I'd echo Milkys post, get along and watch a game in my eyes it's a lot more entertaining and value for money than Union.. But thats another argument altogether!

Anyway come on you...

SAINTS!

[Milkman™]

heja said:

can't stand this game

most of the uk would probably agree too when most teams come from around the same area

The bit below watford may agree, more spectators than Union, a lot more.

www.superleague.co.uk/story.php?id=8655

Edit for link, a good read too, attendanes up and up, this is the model hockey should be following in this country, they have the opportunity now with the SKY deal, afterall that is what rescued SL

[LUFC]

Have to admit i love my League, even though as a kid i could only play union (the pocket of north yorkshire had Barnard Castle and Ampleforth two of the best union schools in the country likes of rob andrews came from there) anyways League is by far the better of the two, faster, harder hitting. Fun to watch, cheer and it also helps that in this sport Leeds are still up the top

[heja]

therapy said:

heja said:

can't stand this game

most of the uk would probably agree too when most teams come from around the same area

The bit below watford may agree, more spectators than Union, a lot more.

www.superleague.co.uk/story.php?id=8655

Edit for link, a good read too, attendanes up and up, this is the model hockey should be following in this country, they have the opportunity now with the SKY deal, afterall that is what rescued SL

tbh i dont really hate it i just wouldn't pay to watch it

agree on the sky deal this is ice hockeys big chance in this country and they have to make it count, but previous years would say that they will let it slip through there grasps

[Alf Garnett]

I keep telling myself I'll get up to The Jungle (Wheldon Road for us oldies) to see a Cas game.

Probably won't though.

Do you happen to know when the franchises are announced Chris? Sometime around June/July I believe but not 100% sure.

[Milkman™]

andyblath said:

I keep telling myself I'll get up to The Jungle (Wheldon Road for us oldies) to see a Cas game.

Probably won't though.

Do you happen to know when the franchises are announced Chris? Sometime around June/July I believe but not 100% sure.

July according to the TIMES , just hope its's not the Fev, hated the team as a kid, and the place is a crap hole, although my mates got a pub there, so that's a sort of benefit.

[heatley]

therapy said:

heja said:

can't stand this game

most of the uk would probably agree too when most teams come from around the same area

[glow=red,2,300]more spectators than Union, a lot more.[/glow]

www.superleague.co.uk/story.php?id=8655

Edit for link, a good read too, attendanes up and up, this is the model hockey should be following in this country, they have the opportunity now with the SKY deal, afterall that is what rescued SL

At international level too? I do preffer union over league. The only real differance used to be that one lot paid tax - the other lot didn't!

[Milkman™]

heatley said:

At international level too? I do preffer union over league.

take away the compo's and hangers on, the hooray henrys and posh totty there for the 'look at me' and I would say so yes.

I thought Union was invented so the masters of the house could legally beat the staff from 'below stairs' and the ground workers.

[pantherdman]

I'm a massive League fan! Rhino's are my team.
Been up north to watch them and GB many times.
Going up to the World club challenge match in Feb.
Did anyone hear about the recent match in america, it got big backing from Russel Crow, a 12,000 capacity crowd, the american commentator was wetting himself comparing it to ice hockey, except not on ice and without pads.

IMO, the model Superleague are using to progress their game sould be used as a model by the elite league.
I'd love to see England win the League world cup this summer!

[Milkman™]

pantherdman said:

I'm a massive League fan! Rhino's are my team.
Been up north to watch them and GB many times.
Going up to the World club challenge match in Feb.
Did anyone hear about the recent match in america, it got big backing from Russel Crow, a 12,000 capacity crowd, the american commentator was wetting himself comparing it to ice hockey, except not on ice and without pads.

IMO, the model Superleague are using to progress their game sould be used as a model by the elite league.
I'd love to see England win the League world cup this summer!

They said it could really take off in the states TV wise, and such a celebrity endorsement from a massive (all be it Aussie) fan could help the sport.

As you say that is what is needed in the UK with hockey.

The SL fan is the type of fan hockey needs, family's and singles alike, maybe the Steelers should be looking to the Eagles or the Phoenix to Wigan etc for a tie in etc.

Great prices too, most places offer 2 adults 2 kids £30.

Live games every week on SKY, everything you could want from a sport, hard hitting, fast paced.

[pantherdman]

It should be a very even league this year.
Great to see a sport developing world beating young british players in a 'minority' sport, shows it can be done!

IMO The Super league is excellent alternative for hockey fans during the summer.

The only reason i'll be watching the 6 nations is to see Vainakolo rip a few defences apart, nice retirement package from the RFU for him.

[Alf Garnett]

I can't help but think Whitehaven have missed a trick. Surely under the franchise system superleague is just crying out for a Cumbrian team. I know the ground needs a little TLC but the results and progress on the pitch is there for all to see.Some good players have been born in Cumbria and one has to wonder if this has been a golden opportunity spurned.

[Milkman™]

The Millenium magic weekend will be some do

Saturday 3rd May
Bradford Bulls V Leeds Rhinos
Castleford Tigers V Wakefield Wildcats
Huddersfield Giants V Warrington Wolves

Sunday 4th May
Catalans Dragons V Harlequins RL
Hull FC V Hull KR
St Helens V Wigan Warriors

Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales

www.superleague.co.uk/tickets_magic.php

6 games over 2 days at Cardiff, £18 to £45 now that's a weekend deal for you.

[LUFC]

andyblath said:

I can't help but think Whitehaven have missed a trick. Surely under the franchise system superleague is just crying out for a Cumbrian team. I know the ground needs a little TLC but the results and progress on the pitch is there for all to see.Some good players have been born in Cumbria and one has to wonder if this has been a golden opportunity spurned.

Two favourites for Franchises in the first expansion are a French team and a German Team. which i think is unfair. however anything that brings the league up, more viewers, more money and investment cannot be bad for the sport.

[grumpyminer]

I will once again be following and cheering on St.Helens.
Hopeful of getting to a game or two this season. I missed out last season due to work and charity commitments. I suppose I could have gone to a couple of away games. Rhino's or Wakey were the two I could have got to, but chose not to.

I think it will be tighter this year as Saints have not brought in a big name. Leeds and Bradford once again to be their main challengers.

[Rumpole]

grumpyminer said:

I will once again be following and cheering on St.Helens.

Me too. Started following them in the Seventies - I can still remember "Floodlit Rugby League" on a Tuesday night where games were always seemingly played on mudbaths of pitches without any of the razzamatazz that surrounds the game now. I wonder what some of the players from that era like Geoff Pimblett and Kel Coslett make of the game now. Of all sports Rugby League has probably undergone the biggest change over the last 20 years, and is a much better product because of that change.

Whilst I'm in nostalgia mode Floodlit Rugby League was followed by The Old Grey Whistle Test - now that was a proper Music Programme!

[KimThePanther]

andyblath said:

I keep telling myself I'll get up to The Jungle (Wheldon Road for us oldies) to see a Cas game.

Mr Blath, your taste is impeccable. Notts, Panthers and now a follower of the Classy Cas too.

[Milkman™]

lilcrazykim said:

andyblath said:

I keep telling myself I'll get up to The Jungle (Wheldon Road for us oldies) to see a Cas game.

Mr Blath, your taste is impeccable. Notts, Panthers and now a follower of the Classy Cas too.

Wow that's some glorious glory hunting there.

As for the latter, I was schooled in Cas Vegas, did you know it was twinned with Ponte Carlo.

Even the Rottweilers down there wear sandals, so they don't get glass in their paws.

Seriously though, good effort form my Kingston Rovers against the Loiners on Saturday.

[sunbeam]

Union actually gets bigger club crowds than League. Both are rising well. Of course many Union teams don't own their own ground though.

As far as the expansion is concerned - Celtic Crusaders is a must. Ideally Widnes and Whitehaven should merge to become Cumbria but it ain't gonna happen. I'd like to see Toulose in too but it may be too soon for a second French team.

The best bit of the new tv deal is that the BBC will show an England game. BBC coverage of Eng matches is crucial to get people watching. I'd like to see sky put some games on sky one to max its audience.

[KimThePanther]

therapy said:

Wow that's some glorious glory hunting there.

LOL! ;D It seems me and Andy are gluttons for punishment.

[KimThePanther]

sunbeam said:

Ideally Widnes and Whitehaven should merge to become Cumbria but it ain't gonna happen.

Without wishing to sound pedantic, Widnes is near Liverpool and quite a way from Cumbria. If I remember correctly merging the smaller clubs into regional franchises was the original proposal when the Super League was set up (for example the two Hull clubs would have been merged to form Humberside and Wakefield, Castleford and Featherstone (!!) would have become Calder Valley. This was so unpopular that it never took off.

The Vikings and Salford would be my picks for the two remaining franchises.

[Alf Garnett]

Whitehaven and Workington will NEVER merge in much the same way that Castleford and Wakefield never will. There already is 1 merged team in Cumbria(allegedly) with Barrow and Carlisle Border Raiders becoming the Barrow Border Raiders, the name of Carlisle nowhere to be seen in the title.

I'm not wishing to come across all holier than thou Sunbeam but I remember watching boots'n'all on Sky a couple of seasons back and the Whitehaven - Workington merger was suggested when Superleague first started. Workington went solo as neither of the 2 teams was willing to give up their identity to become the Cumbria Cardinals or whatever franchise name the money men could dream up. There was even a site earmarked for a new stadium half way between the 2 towns.

[Higgy]

I think France needs another team, it needs a rival for Catalan Dragons or i think they may just die off to be honest.