Experiment conducted - can RL convert the soccer masses ? : Wed Feb 25, 2009 5:26 pm  

See article of experiment carried out http://timesonline.typepad.com/rugby_league/ I've always found soccer fans experiencing RL for the first time to not only enjoy the experience but continuing coming to TGG.

See article of experiment carried out http://timesonline.typepad.com/rugby_league/ I've always found soccer fans experiencing RL for the first time to not only enjoy the experience but continuing coming to TGG.

: Wed Feb 25, 2009 5:34 pm  

I'm a convert from soccer to rugby league. I never watched any rugby league when i was a kid, my mate introduced me to the game about 4 years ago. The best thing for me was the fact that you never get a boring 0-0 in rugby league and the players are true sportsmen - they take hard knocks but they don't roll around on the floor like soccer players. I was also impressed with the respect shown to officials and the opoosing sides shaking hands at the end of each game.
I think there are many thousands of people who would prefer rugby league if they saw it, they just need to get a bit more exposure on national tv/radio and newspapers

: Wed Feb 25, 2009 5:37 pm  

Lazerbeam wrote:

I'm a convert from soccer to rugby league. I never watched any rugby league when i was a kid, my mate introduced me to the game about 4 years ago. The best thing for me was the fact that you never get a boring 0-0 in rugby league and the players are true sportsmen - they take hard knocks but they don't roll around on the floor like soccer players. I was also impressed with the respect shown to officials and the opoosing sides shaking hands at the end of each game.
I think there are many thousands of people who would prefer rugby league if they saw it, they just need to get a bit more exposure on national tv/radio and newspapers

I have been cloned...and I claim my £5

: Wed Feb 25, 2009 6:11 pm  

An interesting article with mixed views. I am so glad that football fans recognise the amateur dramatics from football players, and the 'brutal nature' of rugby league is noted more than once, and the way that players just get on with it.

They should have chosen a better match than Huddersfield at home though!!

: Wed Feb 25, 2009 6:12 pm  

I grew up supporting Everton (Neville Southall = God ) and didn't get into Rugby League until I was about 18, and I agree RL could gain many more fans if more people were exposed to the game.

There's alot of disillusionment with football, the diving, the obscene salaries, egomaniacs all over the place. RL is a real antidote to all of that.

Were not going to convert the masses, but RL is a very attractive sport. When I first started watching it, I didn't know guys as hard as this existed , it was an eye-opener, and now I can hardly watch Football, it's too annoying

: Wed Feb 25, 2009 6:55 pm  

Interesting survey, Shame they didn't take them to somewhere with a better atmosphere such as Hull derby day or Headingley. I suppose it's something to do with the Giants giving away ticket to Uni students. Based on the fact that these are students, often more open minded and probably not the foul mouthed types you see in good numbers at football matches I feel you could quite easily get 30% of English football fans who havent seen a League game turn up moe often.The appeals those people spoke about aren't the ones on footballthugs shopping list either so I think thats positive. Now come on M. Murdoch, sell them this amazing game!

: Wed Feb 25, 2009 7:15 pm  

Bob-Marley wrote:

Interesting survey, Shame they didn't take them to somewhere with a better atmosphere such as Hull derby day or Headingley. I suppose it's something to do with the Giants giving away ticket to Uni students. Based on the fact that these are students, often more open minded and probably not the foul mouthed types you see in good numbers at football matches I feel you could quite easily get 30% of English football fans who havent seen a League game turn up moe often.The appeals those people spoke about aren't the ones on footballthugs shopping list either so I think thats positive. Now come on M. Murdoch, sell them this amazing game!

My thoughts exactly.

: Wed Feb 25, 2009 7:31 pm  

What was interesting was that the most negative comments came from fans in or near to proper RL territory like Yorkshire.

I know Manchester and Liverpool are close to RL clubs but as far as knowing about RL they could be on the moon. These seemed the most positive of the fans.

I've had both experiences to be honest, people who've been amazed at how this sport has alluded them and people who've found it dull. Most of my travelling friends had more of an impression put on them by AFL but of course that could be because the NRL is dull as dishwater.

[Dick Jones]

: Wed Feb 25, 2009 9:31 pm  

Interesting comment a few minutes ago with reference to football

" Juventus have not scored an away goal at Chelsea , thats the most important thing "

How bloody boring, just a load of brain washed muppets

: Wed Feb 25, 2009 10:20 pm  

Radio One's Mark 'Chappers' Chapman is a new convert. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/rugby/rug ... -21096319/

Radio One's Mark 'Chappers' Chapman is a new convert. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/rugby/rug ... -21096319/