Hull KR – A Fan’s View

Today I spoke to Matthew Pearson. Matthew, 18, is a student from Hull. He gives the views of his beloved Hull Kingston Rovers.nnHow do you think the RFL will view your bid?nHopefully they’ll look at the growth we have made as a club, and just how far we have come in the last couple of years. We’ve virtually increased our attendances by over 200% and now have some real quality players. So hopefully the RFL will see this and grade us accordingly.nnWhy do you think Hull KR should be included?nBecause of what we offer to the Super League. We take plenty of fans away from home, and generate a lively atmosphere. The city of Hull and surrounding areas are buzzing with Rugby League at the moment, both the professional and amateur scene, so there’s certainly room for 2 Hull teams – thus providing Super League with a historic derby. Also the progress the club has made needs to be rewarded with another 3 years in the top flight. Okay, our stadium isn’t of a high quality, but with plans to extend it, that shouldn’t be a problem next time round. nnWhat do you think of the other teams’ bids?nI’m sure they’ll be in detail, and very good applications, but actions speak louder than words. Everybody’s getting a bit sick of teams promising new stadia and not delivering.nnWho do you think the RFL will choose?nCurrent 12 teams are a shoo-in in my opinion, plus either Salford/Widnes and Celtic.nnWhat do you think will happen if you don’t get in? nIf my team don’t get in, I can see lots of fans protests, and personally I think it could mean the death of the full time aspect of the club, and we’d be a part time feeder club.nnDo you agree with the whole process?nUndecided, I suppose it’s for the good of the game, but I believe it’s the wrong time to expand the league.nnWho would you like to see get a franchise?nCurrent 12 SL teams + Salford and Widnes.nnFinney’s Final Thought: Hull KR are seen by many members of the media as having a safe passage into next year’s competition. But you have to ask why? They fail to tick many of the boxes on the form and do we really need two teams in Hull? However, as Matthew says, actions speak louder than words and, in a short space of time, Rovers have come along way. They’re a real forward thinking club and this should be enough for the RFL to grant them one of the fourteen golden tickets into Richard Lewis’ Chocolate factory.