I have no issue with players representing their chosen place of qualified domicile as opposed to having to represent some place as a consequence of a random accident of being born there through no choice of their own.



It ain't Middleton Rhinos fault he is domiciled in Middleton unless he chose to be domiciled there, but either way, he is free to choose which club or bandwagon to support.

What's new?



The Hunslet area has been the de facto Leeds academy for as long as I can recall.

I only hope this latest tie-up will be as beneficial to Leeds as all those between the CEO and various clubs in the NRL, France, Wales, Cumbria, the South-West and Norfolk.

[iThere are exceptions of course which override factors like domicile and place of birth. Anyone with Rhino in their username automatically fails the postcode test. Anyone with Loiner in their username automatically passes the postcode test.[/i



Where does that leave me???????????

Can I still shout for the Rhinos at Wembley?????

Since Mother Benson's End no longer exists for a shouting sesh, feel free to shout for the Rhinos at Wembley instead.

You don't think the way people identify with a place is more complicated than postcodes and as-the-crow-flies distance then?



For example, I was born and raised in Horsforth. I think Bramley might actually have been nearer to me (I'm not that sure, might need to get the ruler out) than Leeds. But here's the thing. If you asked me where I was from, I'd say "Leeds" and would never in a month of Sundays say "Bramley." Because I'm not from Bramley. I am from Leeds though.



Now, I don't know how people in Miggy tend to view Hunslet, but I don't find it inconceivable that a similar effect is in operation. Would somebody who regards themselves as being from Leeds really want to pin their colours to the mast of a neighbouring borough they have no affilinity with just because it's a bit nearer? I don't think I would.

People tend to identify with products (brand names) these days.





Was the 'LS18 Rhino' moniker already taken?







That's interesting because most folk I've met from Horsforth always used to go out of their way to say they were from Horsforth rather than Leeds. This may have changed over the years as more and more areas became assimilated under the Leeds umbrella.





They support their nearest populist sooper league brand name. In a bygone era, they'd have more than likely supported their nearest community club which would be Hunslet.

Ref William Eves reference to mother bensons end.

I suspect that there won't be many people on this thread will have stood on mother bensons end,in fact most people will not have a clue what or were it

was.as a young lad in Hunslet I watched many a match from the mother bensons end.

Maybe you're right. Bit cynical for my cheery disposition and outlook though I'm afraid.







No idea, didn't look. When I registered I could probably still just about be bothered being grumpy about the "Rhinos" name change.







I think there's a hierarchy. When asked by people in Leeds I'd say I was from Horsforth. To outsiders I'd say I was from Leeds. I certainly would never have gone out of my way to say I wasn't from leeds. I always grew up regarding Horsforth as part of Leeds, as did most of my peers as far as I can tell (I haven't really done the research, so I may be wrong). I'd always have regarded Bramley as the club of Bramley's community and certainly never felt any kind of affinity for Bramley. Nothing against them and I used to go occasionally when they were at McLaren Field, but I never felt like they were representing me or my community.







I can't help feeling that describing Super League franchises as "populist" is a little melodramatic. Your choice though. In any event Rugby League is no more able to fight the tides of change when it comes to homogenous communities and cities than anything else. It isn't a specifically Rugby League thing. You seem to be more pining for a different era in general than any particular trend focussed on the sport. The trouble with bygone eras is that they've, well, gone by. Living in the past is rarely a good idea in my opinion.

So what about British people who are big fans of the NRL even having a Aussie team they support and/or go watch games over there?

Must admit I was thinking along the lines of housemaid's knee or tennis elbow. But much more painful.

What if I changed my user name to "Rhinos_Loiner_4_Eva"?