I think yesterday’s game was symbolic of Hetherington’s last few years in charge and his poor decision making across the board. We all know the terrible recruitment of the last few years has diminished us greatly as a club, but looking at all the empty seats in the Carnegie and North Stands paints a better picture at how detached he is from reality. Yes, the seats in the “new” South Stand were well populated, but a quarter full Carnegie seated area and a less than half full North Stand have shown the folly in Hetherington’s decision making. What he has done in effect is stick his middle finger up to loyal supporters that generated the best atmosphere in Rugby League by putting seats in the South Stand and consequently leaving the other seating areas like ghost stands. True, performances haven’t helped, but I think he changed the atmosphere in the ground and amongst our own fans for the worst. I’m sure he did it for what he thought were good commercial reasons, but it was undoubtedly a poor, poor decision that overlooked a real hard core of loyal supporters and their wishes. He has now created the perfect storm for many people to just walk away from the game. It’s bad enough watching a poorly assembled and at times apparently disinterested team, but to do that from a new stand lacking atmosphere, amongst other disgruntled fans will see many heading for the exits never to return. As for the empty Carnegie and North Stand seats, how many people does Hetherington think will pay top dollar for an underperforming team in a major recession ? The corporate sections particularly will take a real hammering next year, and along with those that are becoming increasingly frustrated by the modern version of the game and it’s governence, the Southstander’s with a continuing hangover from the rebuild of their stand, and generally fed up supporters , I think next season only spells gloom on numbers through the gates. A lot of that is down to Mr Hetherington.
