Football has always been more popular in rugby league towns than rugby league. When I was at school in Warrington over 20 years ago, most people (who were interested in sport) liked both, but the people who liked football and didn't like rugby league outnumbered those who were the other way round. Suggesting the playing pool is weakened by people playing football is churlish to say the least. We played both in PE at school and I imagine most did/do.