Leeds

We were a top six side last year with practically the same team. We've been in the top 6 more or less all this season. In the past four seasons we've been to two finals and a semi-final (where we were somewhat harshly beaten - no Croft, Ackers, played with 16 and should have had a penalty try).

At what point do we raise our expectations from 'it's just Salford' to being in the playoffs and reaching the last four of the CC? When do we stop accepting mediocrity and existence and have the attitude to push on and redefine how people see Salford. I think internally that is happening. We are spending £2 million and have retained players for the first time in my memory (39 years old). We've turned down a transfer of Dupree. Rowley has instilled the right attitude and a good team culture.

How long we can keep up this level of financing remains to be seen. I suspect we should get a further £1 million in funding and hopefully with an expanded commercial team we can sell the 400k of commercial assets that are unsold too. When we can change the attitude of what the club is, to a wider audience, is when I think we'll improve our crowds. We generally play good rugby and if we finish in the 6 for a few years and continue to retain players we can start to flip the script.

It's a big challenge but there are some good people on board now. Let's be honest, the club can put as many billboards or adverts on screens at the TC advertising games like Salford v Leeds but it isn't going to increase the crowds - a random, non-rugby fan doesn't see a pretty poster and think 'I'll to to a game'. Events, family days and that type of thing, like against Wigan, have the chance to bring in new faces for the event as a whole. So does engagement in schools, with businesses and community events. Tournements and that type of think. These things actively introduce people to the game. Unlike a passive poster which is of little to know interest to non-rugby fans. But, these thing take time to build over the long term... hopefully we are still around to see it. As for lapsped fans, we need a bit of success (not winning trophies as such but competing) to bring them back... and to hit them with person specific marketing direct to the email or phone - far more people read texts than emails so short phone message marketing could be a way to go.

It's funny, that people still talk about Leeds as if they're a top team and should always be in the top 6. Same with Hull FC who are always seen as a 'big club'. But the reality is that for the best part of a decade they haven't been. Wigan, Saints, Catalan, and Warrington have been the constants in the top four. Okay, the Wolves had a blip last year and Catalan had a rocky year before McNamara turned things around. But, besides those four, I think 5/6 has been to play for.