EAR-LEE BIRD BRIERS

Legend wants final switch

LEE BRIERS has urged RFL bosses to move the Challenge Cup Final back to earlier in the season.

This Saturday’s Wembley showdown between Warrington and Catalans could attract the lowest crowd for more than 70 years.

That is partly because many Dragons fans have been priced out of attending by huge flight costs from the south of France.

But it also reflects a downward trend in interest, with fans no longer seeing the event as the most important in the calendar.

Challenge Cup legend Briers – now assistant coach at Warrington – believes drastic action has to be taken. And he’s called on changes to be made as soon as possible to turn the final back into the most prestigious event of the season.

He said: “The Challenge Cup has got to stay at Wembley, but I would move it to May or earlier in the season.

“The whole timing of it is wrong and something needs to be done because the crowds are not getting there.

“I think we should do away with Magic Weekend and move the Challenge Cup to May.”

Optimistic estimates put this Saturday’s crowd at around 50,000, although many of those will include free or cut-price tickets. Fans travelling from Perpignan are having to cough up £750 for the flight alone, while rail problems in France are making alternatives too difficult.

The final also used to attract neutral fans but many now prefer to spend their money at Magic Weekend and the Grand Final.

Money

Briers added: “For instance, touch wood, Warrington could get to the Challenge Cup Final and the Grand Final in the space of a few weeks.

“A family of four at Wembley would cost well over £200 and Old Trafford would be £150. That’s a lot of money, particularly with season tickets.

“It is too much money to find and then you have the playing side as well to think about. This is not moaning, because I would rather be in this situation than not, but if you lose at Wembley, it can derail your season.

“You have not got many games left to pull it back. If the final is in May, you can have a wobble and get it back.”

Briers won the Cup three times with Warrington, in 2009, 2010 and 2012, and won the Lance Todd Trophy as man of the match in 2010.

For him, it is still the highlight of the year and he’s urged the current team to achieve their own dreams this Saturday.

He said: “This week before Wembley is a great feeling, but it means nothing if you do not come away with the trophy.”