I GOT into Rugby League through my father in the 1989/90 season, after moving here from Canada.

TI have been following the Keighley Cougars since my first game v Rochdale and was hooked straight away.

From the 1990/91 season we went home and away for many seasons, and because of this got to see some great grounds, great players and meet great supporters of their respective teams.

As the 90s went on, Rugby League grew for the better. I played amateur rugby in the Pennine League, which had seven divisions and over 100 teams, and that was just one league of many.

Players from the amateur leagues had a gateway into the game through division three and upward; good young English players were being discovered, and given their chance.

A lot of clubs had ‘A’ teams and Academy teams, to bring through the young players, and if the player was wanted by a top club, there was a transfer fee paid, which for some clubs set them up for the season.

There were five trophies up for grabs, the division Championship, the division Premiership, Challenge Cup, Regal Trophy and Yorkshire and Lancashire Cups.

On top of this there was usually a tour, either home or away.

All in all there was a hell of a lot of rugby to be played, watched and enjoyed by all.

Then we had the advent of Super League. Teams were relegated, or folded, such as Runcorn Highfield, Carlisle, Chorley or Nottingham City, to name a few.

The County Cups disappeared, not long after the Regal Trophy vanished, there was no promotion or relegation, and no transfer fees. The people in charge wanted to be like the NRL, and throw away years of tradition to have a competition that in all honesty to me would never be on a par with the NRL, which is the main sport in Australia, whereas Rugby League here is probably somewhere between volleyball and tiddlywinks.

I look at the game now and think that it is in very dire straits.

I have watched Super League games on TV and the players are more interested in chirping at the referee then getting on with the game.

Most of the teams that had a really good ‘A’ team set-up, like Keighley, were told they could no longer run a second team, so good young players are walking away from the game.

I know Jack Welsby and Matty Ashton are really good young players, but think how many more players might have been unearthed if the amateur game had more teams to bring these players from.

Losing Cup competitions takes away the big money games that fans and players want, such as Keighley v Wigan, Batley v St Helens. And who cares about the score?

I remember watching Ellery Hanley playing for Wigan v Keighley, and it was great to see.

I could go on all day about what I think needs to be done, but in reality the powers-that-be need to have a long hard look at Rugby League, and where it is headed.

If they feel unable to do anything, then ask for help. It won’t take away from what you are doing and might give you some answers.

Darren Mabbott, Keighley

QUESTIONS OF GOVERNANCE

What is happening to our sport? Who is running Rugby League, is it Laurel and Hardy, The Muppets or Coco The Clown perhaps?

No wonder we are becoming a laughing stock. Castleford cancelling their game against St Helens? What a surprise!

I could see them pulling a trick like that weeks ago, once they had qualified for Wembley.

Shameful!

Okay, so they conceded the game, but this is a professional sport, not some Mickey Mouse league.

And Salford pulling out of their match against Wakefield?