were there many ostriches roaming the playing fields of Rugby in 1823?! imaginative explanation though!

I think you'll find that it was a game of footy and some southern toff picked the ball up in a blatant disregard of the handball rule and ran the full length of the field with it. It was at Rugby school, thus inventing rugby.

yeah ok, forget that one!!

I reckon the problem lies with the enormous amount of clubs in the North West, Preston, Bolton, Dingles, Bury, Blackpool Oldham, Maccfld all nearby and remember two of the biggest clubs in the world - Liverpool and Man Ure are an easy hours drive away. Supporting your local team is happening less and less these days now you can watch any prem team of your choice on the box. We should be satisfied with the level of support but an increase in the volume wouldnt go amiss!