London v Wigan at Leigh : Tue Jul 23, 2013 4:56 pm  

Clearly the RFL now recognise that the London "Dream" is dead. I feel sorry for the few dedicated fans of the club....expansion ...ha!

From BBC

The Rugby Football League has defended staging the London Broncos v Wigan Challenge Cup semi-final in Leigh.
Greg Mulholland MP, chairman of the Parliamentary Rugby League Group, said it was "unfair" to play next Saturday's game just eight miles from Wigan.
But the RFL said the Broncos had agreed to the possibility in June.
"The semi-final venues were chosen after consultation and agreement with the eight clubs involved in the quarter-finals," an RFL statement read.
"On 26 June, London Broncos confirmed they were 'fine' with the options."
“
Given the size of London's current fan base, Leigh Sports Village provides the best opportunity to maximise the financial return for the two clubs who share 100 per cent of the receipts generated
”
RFL statement
The other Challenge Cup semi-final between Hull KR and Warrington Wolves, on Sunday, will take place at Huddersfield's John Smith's Stadium, meaning Rovers will have to travel about 70 miles and Warrington roughly 40.
However, the Broncos journey to Leigh Sports Village in Greater Manchester will be more than 200 miles, 25 times further than opponents Wigan.
"We've heard a great deal from the RFL at our regular meetings about the importance placed on the development of the game," Mulholland said.
"Why not find a venue in the Midlands and use the game to draw in a new audience?"
The RFL insisted that a number of alternative venues had been considered.
"The final selections were based on various criteria, including availability, size and quality of facilities, associated match costs, commercial viability and the views of broadcast partners," the statement continued.
"London Broncos agreed with the options for all UK-based semi-finals and proposed that in the event of them being drawn against Catalan Dragons, their semi-final should be staged in London.
"Given the size of London's current fan base and their historical levels of travelling support, the view was taken that Leigh Sports Village provides the best opportunity to present a major televised sporting spectacle to attendees and TV viewers in the most positive light while maximising the financial return for the two competing clubs who share 100 per cent of the receipts generated."

Re: London v Wigan at Leigh : Tue Jul 23, 2013 6:23 pm  

Sorry Howard but I can't see HM Government bailing out a failed RFL like HBOS so they have to make some hard commercial decisions similar to using the Shay at the weekend
Playing at LSV will be profitable and draw 7k plus, if they open 3 sides it will look good on TV

Re: London v Wigan at Leigh : Tue Jul 23, 2013 7:02 pm  

Just an attempt to put some wonga into the flailing London coffers. What happens if the unthinkable happens & London do the dirty and turn the pies over ? Hahahaha

Re: London v Wigan at Leigh : Tue Jul 23, 2013 7:13 pm  

Think Wigan will win by a distance.

Re: London v Wigan at Leigh : Wed Jul 24, 2013 9:43 am  

salfordlad wrote:

:PRAY:

Think Wigan will win by a distance.

Wouldn't be a 'country' distance Frank?

[Dick Jones]

Re: London v Wigan at Leigh : Thu Jul 25, 2013 6:10 am  

I think thats why the RFL have made sure Wigan dont have to travel far to get an half decent crowd IMHO, if it had been further away the Wigan fans wont have gone.

Re: London v Wigan at Leigh : Thu Jul 25, 2013 9:36 am  

I said before it wouldn't surprise me if London got to the final this year, to back up the RFL's claims that they are important to super league and will be given some exemption from relegation, wouldn't put it past them, watch this space.

Re: London v Wigan at Leigh : Thu Jul 25, 2013 11:00 am  

I don't think their is any doubt London Broncos will be IN the new reduced superleague.

Re: London v Wigan at Leigh : Thu Jul 25, 2013 4:29 pm  

Personally i think this is a common sense decision financially. We all expect a Wigan victory so from the RFLs perspective, try to get as many Pie Eaters to the game as possible.........but what if London actually turn them over? Unlikely but possible, just ask Sheffield in 1998!

Re: London v Wigan at Leigh : Thu Jul 25, 2013 4:37 pm  

faxlad66 wrote:

Personally i think this is a common sense decision financially. We all expect a Wigan victory so from the RFLs perspective, try to get as many Pie Eaters to the game as possible.........but what if London actually turn them over? Unlikely but possible, just ask Sheffield in 1998!

Theres more chance of a sensible post from Littlerich , than London beating Wigan .