One could perhaps make the argument that the location of Rugby League clubs helps it stay in touch with its socialist roots, given its largely north/north-west connections. However, that would be to flat out ignore the fact that three of the biggest football clubs in the country (if you were to include Manchester City in that bracket) are based slap bang in the middle of that heartland.
That’s without including clubs like Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United, whose respective cities were hubs for mining communities and have strong working-class roots as well.
However, unlike top-level football, rugby league has an enduring connection to its community and fans that remains deeply rooted in its culture and values, a bond that often feels more authentic and personal compared to the broader commercialised world of the Premier League.
Where the Premier League has grown into a global spectacle, often detached from the everyday lives of the people who once formed the heart of the sport, rugby league continues to be a sport of and for the people, grounded in local pride and social ties.
At its core, rugby league thrives in communities where the game is much more than just a sport; it's a part of the identity, a shared experience passed down through generations. Fans know their players, not just by their stats or Instagram followings, but through the ties that bind them to the very streets, clubs, and schools that nurture them. Players are seen as local heroes, individuals who come from the same background and represent the same values as the fans in the stands.
It’s a sport that thrives on authenticity, where you might find a former player coaching kids at a community centre or a supporter chatting to a team member at a local pub after a match.
In contrast, the Premier League, for all its excitement and spectacle, has become a behemoth of commercialisation and financial interests. While the sport in England still enjoys massive popularity, the players often seem more like distant celebrities than relatable figures.
The influx of foreign ownership, the soaring transfer fees, and the relentless marketing strategies have led to a situation where many fans feel disconnected from the game they once adored. The emotional and local ties that once existed between a club and its supporters have increasingly been overshadowed by corporate priorities, leaving fans to feel like mere customers in a global enterprise.