I watched the second half on Youtube, would have watched the first but as I was on holiday, decided to go and watch the sunrise on the beach and in fairness I thought kick off was half 12 so would have time to do both.

My lad was texting me saying we were playing well, and from what I saw second half I'd agree. Catalans are a decent side who will be towards the top of SL this season, We've complained for a few seasons now about shoddy defence so good to see it has been shored up. Just need to start putting more points on the board now.

Based on what I saw on Saturday, I am now seriously contemplating going to Sheffield on Sunday, whereas before I wasn't, although I did think it was a Friday night fixture as well. But my lad has already made plans to go and watch the Giants with a couple of mates having also thought it was on Friday, so now he is split on what to do. He's been watching fax since he was tiny, but goes to as many Hudds games as he does Fax, not because he massively supports them but because they are in SL and he can watch better players in a better competition. A number of his mates from Siddal will watch both teams as well.

We're only going to attract so many folk while in the Championship, and with no route to SL, its going to be very hard to attract more

As has been stated before, our own club voted for this IMG tripe and with it no promotion. How those same people then hope to keep the present fan base, never mind increase it is beyond me. P.S. What is this attraction to watching the sun rise/set? It's almost as strange as Halifax folk going to watch shuddersfield!

I know people keep mentioning no promotion as one of the reasons why our crowds are so low but even when promotion was available our crowds were not great and I reckon with a half decent season last year we would have been around the same as we had been for a couple of seasons. I think its only because we were really bad on and off the field that people started to sack it off. the problem is once people get out of the habit of going its hard to get them back but hopefully a good performance on Sunday after the catalans game and we can get a few more through the gate for Barrow.

The 3 trick pony rides again, IMG, DR and the Club.

Moan, moan, moan.

The 3 mentioned make 99% of the posts contribution but complaining about someone on holiday enjoying a beach sunrise is a new one.

I reckon a win at Sheffield would add 200/300 onto the gate against Barrow.

Of all the things that could get the home crowd for Barrow up a win at Sheffield would no doubt be at the top of the list at least for this week.

I'll vouch for that. I'll be picking and choosing my matches again this season and with barrow being one of the weaker teams, that was one I was giving a miss. But I might go along if we win at the seagulls

i think so, but IIRC they didn't offer the discount for the entire season ...... there was a backlash from season ticket holders who were cheesed off they were basically ripped off. Was the first discounted match against York? It rings a bell because I remember seeing the crowd as around 3k, well above the average. Maybe Batley also printed posters and flyers to stimulate the extra awareness? ( )

If folk think they're getting a bargain they'll turn up. Wakey charged a tenner last season and they averaged over 5k, primarily driven by the lower charge because their fans didn't travel well re numbers ...... they brought a disappointing following to the Shay last August bank holiday despite confirming them winning the title.

If Fax feel they can't offer similar reductions they need to get smarter re their pricing. Maybe grading the opposition as A, B or C and offering a 3 match ticket for £50 comprising a team from each of these categories (eg A = Bradford, B = London and C = Hunslet) which IMO would entice fans to attend the Hunslet match when they normally wouldn't. They've got to try something, they can't just sit on their hands expecting folk to rock up. It's appalling they didn't even offer an advance discount re the Catalans game.

2023 was the year of the discount and according to “Rugby League Project” stats for Batley were.

2022. Biggest home crowd Bradford 1,920 Average home crowd 1,345 full admission price £20.
2023. Biggest home crowd. York 2,991 Average crowd 1,454 full admission price £10.
2024. Biggest home crowd. Wakefield 2,522. Average home crowd 1,601 full admission price £20.

Halifax Panthers.

2022. Biggest home crowd 2,706 Bradford. Average home crowd 1,782. Full admission price (according to Fax’s Rupert Murdock) too much.
2023. Biggest home crowd 4,693 St Helens. Average home crowd 2,047. Full admission price (according FRM) Far, too much.
2024. Biggest home crowd 3,285 Bradford. Average home crowd 1,546. Full admission price (according to FRM) Far, far too much.

1873 to 2025. Biggest home moaners 3. Average home moaners 3. Full admission price (according to FRM) Far, far, far line crossing too much.

There's a big advertising screen on Burdock Way ......... not once have I seen an advert for a Fax (or Town) game. Brace yourself for the ultimate humiliation when there'll be action adverts for Giants games on the screen once they've settled in at the Shay!