Whilst the rivalry is great, the fact is that the city cannot support 2 top class teams. History has shown that both clubs have largely under achieved other than brief periods in their histories. wigan won twice as many challenge cups in one decade than Hull and rovers have combined in their total existence. Look at the wigan honours list and you'll see how poor our combined ones are.

Hull need to pull in 13k every match, sell over £1m in merchandise a year to barely make a profit whilst rovers lose £1/2m a year just fielding a semi competitive side. It's frightening

god help us if sky ever pulled out

frightening thought that jimmy, how many clubs would fold if sky pulled the plug??

If no alternative revenue stream was found it'd bankrupt the sport, as it is currently run. It could go semi-pro and survive for a while, but without the media interest that television coverage generated, it'd probably just mean a slow death.
There is an argument, I've seen, for giving coverage cheaply (or even free, if they guarantee it'd be shown nationally and prominently) to a terrestrial broadcaster, in the hope of greatly increased visibility and therefore sponsorship. Be a risk, but if Sky did pull the plug, there'd be little to lose. It'd maybe be worth the RFL informally sounding out alternative partners and sponsors even now.

I have been following this thread with interest. I was against a merger when it raised its head in 1995 when rovers were way down, now they have got into Super league on thier own merit I am even more against it. If SKY pull the plug we are all doomed, FC might be well run & in profit but if they have no one to play it wont be any good to them. If a merger went ahead I would not go. I support Rovers & I go quiet a few times to watch FC but otherwise I avoid Hull like the plague. I would go to York as I could visit my grand child & family after watching the game there. As for us fans deserving better ask Tigers,Cats,Salford & Quins fans if they would swap teams? They would snap your arm off.

most!!!!-quins,wakey,crusaders,hudds,salfordetc,etc.even our 2 clubs would struggle.

edging over to the west are you???

Beverley is West of the river, I just edge over to the East to watch my team.I enjoy the odd game at the KC if rovers are not playing, I have always followed them I just consider myself a Rovers fan first. The ideal for me would Rovers to relocate to Beverley race course then I could have a pint or three on match days, but thats a dafter idea than a merger.

If Sky sports pulled funds and RL was to die .....The RFU (IRB) would alter the rules of union, drop 2 players, and invite an application from Kingston upon Hull to apply for a franchise (cos they are coming to RU too) in an expanded, all singing & all dancing Guinness National Premiership comp'.