Clubs to rule on Magic's future

~lee~ · #1 10-05-07, 10:01 AM

bbc.co.uk

The Rugby Football League wants the Millennium Magic weekend to become an annual fixture but has revealed Super League clubs will have the final say.
The inaugural event drew more than 58,000 fans to Cardiff, prompting RFL executive chairman Richard Lewis to hail it as a "tremendous success".

"All the feedback we've had so far has been very positive," said Lewis. "I'm sure the decision will be to go ahead."

The event is pencilled in for two more years, with Cardiff to remain the host.

"We've got an agreement with Cardiff that, if Millennium Magic happens, it will be in Cardiff," added Lewis.

"It's almost certain that it will be on for the next two years and way into the future but we are not in a position to confirm that yet."

Initial estimates claim more than 10,000 people from in and around Wales attended the two-day event.

The encouraging turn-out boosts the chances of a Welsh Super League franchise in 2009.

It also builds on the interest generated in the Principality by the decision to stage the Challenge Cup final at the Millennium Stadium between 2003 and 2005.

However, the RFL says it is considering taking the event on the road in the future, revealing that representatives of both Dublin and Edinburgh attended the two-day event in Cardiff.

"They've been very impressed by the concept," said the RFL's chief operating officer Nigel Wood, who came up with the original idea.

"They went about the city and saw the number of supporters and how much they were enjoying themselves. But they came to observe - our commitment is to Cardiff at the moment."

Bradford stand-off Iestyn Harris, who played rugby union for both Cardiff and Wales before returning to league, gave his unqualified backing to the concept.

"To get 58,000 was pretty good," he said.

"It is difficult to get the stadium full and there were people coming and going all the time but I thought everybody made the weekend a credit to rugby league and I think the games were of a high quality.

"I know they're talking about Ireland and Scotland and I think it's good to take the games to places where it's tough to reach."

Leeds captain Kevin Sinfield, who played in the Cardiff Cup finals of 2003 and 2005, said: "It was a bit strange compared to the two finals.

"It was a little bit empty but it's a start for everybody. The concept is fantastic and, hopefully, we can build on it and fans can get really behind hit.

"Sometimes you have to have a trial run.

"If they decide to do it again, I hope the fans will come out and really support it, fill the stadium and make it really special for all the teams that are playing in it."

~lee~ · #2 10-05-07, 10:06 AM

It will be great if it could become an annual event, the 58,000 over 2 days is a little disappointing though. I was expecting this to be a sell out, i think day 1 had more appeal to it and would have liked to have seen what percentage of the 58,000 was for day 1. I wanted to attend this but was unable to make it but would certainly look at making it next year or the year after. Im not sure if you would get the crowds if this event was to be taken to Dublin or Edinsburgh. I hope they dont rule London out as a host of this event, that would be so much easier for me to get too.

quins rl · #3 10-05-07, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~lee~

It will be great if it could become an annual event, the 58,000 over 2 days is a little disappointing though. I was expecting this to be a sell out, i think day 1 had more appeal to it and would have liked to have seen what percentage of the 58,000 was for day 1. I wanted to attend this but was unable to make it but would certainly look at making it next year or the year after. Im not sure if you would get the crowds if this event was to be taken to Dublin or Edinsburgh. I hope they dont rule London out as a host of this event, that would be so much easier for me to get too.

Lee,given it was the first time,i thought 58000 was decent over 2 days,when the grand final concept was started only 40000 were turning up until it grew to the event it is now.
A couple of factors that may have affected locals going were the Welsh RU decision to change a Magniers league fixture that should have been played on a friday night,to a welsh derby game to clash on the saturday with the event,also i believe there was a football match going on as well.Its a great stadium so hopefully it will grow over the next couple of years,the RFL needs to expand out of the M62 corridor a bit,and with the franchises coming up in 2009,Wales is a good place to support.
I would have definately had some of that if i was still in England.All those fans mixing in together and no trouble,could you imagine that at a football match? And to top it off Quins sneaked a win

~lee~ · #4 10-05-07, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quins rl

Lee,given it was the first time,i thought 58000 was decent over 2 days,when the grand final concept was started only 40000 were turning up until it grew to the event it is now.
A couple of factors that may have affected locals going were the Welsh RU decision to change a Magniers league fixture that should have been played on a friday night,to a welsh derby game to clash on the saturday with the event,also i believe there was a football match going on as well.Its a great stadium so hopefully it will grow over the next couple of years,the RFL needs to expand out of the M62 corridor a bit,and with the franchises coming up in 2009,Wales is a good place to support.
I would have definately had some of that if i was still in England.All those fans mixing in together and no trouble,could you imagine that at a football match? And to top it off Quins sneaked a win

I thought with the amount of promotion they had done for this, atleast one of the days would have been a sell out. I guess as you said it leaves plenty of room for growth for the event. The fans seemed to enjoy and im sure they will spread the word for next time. It was probably Cardiff playing at Ninian Park that clashed with it. If this event was football and they could only bring one fan each there would still be trouble. Where you living now mate?

quins rl · #5 12-05-07, 04:35 PM

As i said hopefully they stick with the concept,im sure there will be some fine-tuning to the event after its debut,sometimes RL is very short sighted,i hope this grows to be one of the big days in the calender,up there with the grand final,and challenge cup(great that its back at wembley again).
The WRU were suitably worried enough to change the union game scheduled for the friday night to a saturday afternoon welsh derby to detract from the event,this game drew over 8000,the football game at Swansea drew 19000,now im not saying these fans would have been at the Millenium,but it doesnt help!
Im living in Banora Point NSW,which is next to Tweed Heads.Been a Roosters fan for over 20 years when i lived in London,but am backing the Titans as they are my local side(will be split loyalties tomorrow!).Go to watch the Tweed Heads Seagulls occasionally,but i really miss watching Quins/London Broncos.