The finals of 1983, 1984 and 1986 were 15,000 to 20,000 below capacity. The only reason this wasn't clear was because large parts of the stadium was standing.



If Wembley had been shiny red seats in 1986 - then we would have had the same moaners writing letters to the papers with the usual grim reaper stuff. Club Wembley is out of the RFL's hands. There were some empty seats. It was fine - move on.INOUT

[uEntertainment rating... [/u

Wigan V Hull CC Final in 2013 = Absolutely dire.

Wigan V Hull CC Final in 1985 = Very Entertaining!



[uQuality rating...[/u

Wigan V Hull CC Final in 2013 = Dreadful.

Wigan V Hull CC Final in 1985 = Superlative!



[uLance Todd Trophy Winner...[/u

Wigan V Hull CC Final in 2013 = Erm..... whatever.

Wigan V Hull CC Final in 1985 = Brett Kenny!

30 years ago we had one showpiece event at a major ground. This year we have fixtures at Man City x 1, Man Utd x 2, Wembley x 2, Millennium Stadium x 1.



We can't stop fans picking and choosing which big game they want to attend.

I'm not sure what your point is...

Absolutely typical of RL fans. No one does moaning as well....

Now is it me or does this not add up





8 months old in 1986+ going to CC final for 20 years= 2006



2013-10 years not going to CC final= 2006... no I get 2003

Agreed.



Beats turd-polishing instead though.

Yes but the 70s and the 80s were really poor times for rugby league - so william will tell you, its suits his argument to be selective!!!

You are correct, I stopped going on the trip in 2003 but went one off in 2006. Remembered half way through writing that but forgot to amend the second figure!

A suggestion? Both Wigan and Hull are normally among the larger contributors of neutral fans when they are not playing in the final. When we are the contenders, the other teams don't fill the gaps as well. I certainly couldn't criticise either club for numbers today, great turn out from both.

Only 79,000? Wow, that's like, got to be the lowest attendance in Challenge Cup history, surely? Shame on all those fans who watched it on telly red seat spotting eh?

When I was a kid in the 1980/90s going to Wembley was like this 'new exciting world' . I rarely went to other parts of the country (or abroad) and I would imagine it would been a ritual for thousands of RL fans from the north. There was no London team in the top division then, no trips to the South of France and no Grand Final. The Challenge Cup was the only chance for a 'big day out'.



This year I have been to London 15 times, France x2 Edinburgh x 2, Denmark, Sweden, USA, Italy, Dubai, Hong Kong.... (blah, blah) you get the picture.



The Challenge Cup final does not mean the same to kids growing up as it did in my generation. It is important yes, but we live very different lives now. We also have World Cup games at OT, Wembley, Cardiff etc, as well as the GF It is a much harder sell to an audience that is all to quick to pour scorn on RL (while professing to love it at the same time).