Liam Moore will be getting a statue outside Craven Park for that game! Jokes aside, great game, neither team deserved to lose.
I think that week off did 'em more harm than good, Wire had the momentum from their last game. Sorry Vern, your wish hasn't come true.
Credit where credit is due. Not a classic but defensively Rervers were good. Huge slice of luck with the Burgess try. Not quite sure what the ref saw.
I don’t quite understand what the final is of…but I’m pleased for you nevertheless. Hope you win in the final
its great for the city i hope and pray kr win the final i watched a random ep of curb earlier chris martin was there hes playing at craven park next year.. bonkers lol
Watched it on the telly and agree, credit where credit is due, Rovers did tackle well and the crowd were enthusistic for the full 80 mins. What a differance being able to stand where you want and drink a pint or two whilst watching the game makes to the atmosphere. Also a distinct lack of stewards and police stood in lines eyeing up the crowd, that probably helps too. Not a mad fan of RL but even I was scatching my head thinking why the Warrington try just before half time was disallowed and the Rovers winning try was. Pehaps its the Robins turn to win something?
The Warrington 'try' was disallowed because a Warrington player ran into one of the Rovers players and stopped him making a tackle to stop the try, correct decision - the Rovers 'try' probably wasn't a try but centred round the ref giving it on field - if he'd crossed his arms it wouldn't have been given - even Burgess after the game, the try scorer suggested he didn't think he'd grounded it but he might have done - bit too much honesty there - whatever anyone thinks of Rugby League, Rovers have got the formula right with the relationship with the fans - always a great atmosphere and very welcoming for many young fans getting the next generation early - the fans pack the stands at least 45 minutes before the start and stay well after the final whistle - City could learn a thing or two
They do seem to have 'the formula' right. But what are the things that "City could learn"? What are they doing that we aren't that is transferable?
Rovers are riding the crest of a wave, their fan engagement is so high because they’re having their best season for 40 years. So the only ‘learnings’ for City are to get promoted and compete in the top half of the Premier League, simple really! All fans are fickle, crowds drop when results are bad and increase when they’re good, it’s just how English sport works.
There seems to be a much closer relationship between the players and the fans , they'll come across to the stands and chat and have selfies , at the start of the games they'll run along the stands as a group applauding the fans - I suppose its almost gladiatorial - of course one of the main differences you can drink in the stands which makes a difference at rovers as the South stand is effectively an open bar area with food stalls a live band and bars which you couldn't have in a football stadium because at Rovers it's a fan park instead of a stand
I think you and Tickton are right - the ability to have a drink and watch the game makes a difference and then the more localised nature of the sport makes a difference - the players aren't paid that much more than the fans and lot more RL players live in similar areas/grew up in similar area to the fanbase (not all obviously, but enough to make a difference).. not sure that City could learn from it though - footballers do a reasonable amount for local charities and hospitals, but just are largely from different backgrounds and financially segregated from fans these days (Coyle being an exception), so there will never be the same connection as RL.
