: Sat Jun 06, 2009 11:26 pm  

A start would be sorting the name and colours out. How do you market a team that to any person not already acquainted with it looks like an exact facsimile of an existing one?

Can't believe the club hasn't moved on ths (beyond dropping Quins RL and 'adopting' the ever so catchy 'Harlequins Rugby League') and that more of you lot aren't up in arms about it.

I realise that my suggestion of Quins 13 isn't everyone's cup of tea (though people seemed to like the quartered vee shirts) but they need something to market and differentiate. Quins Pride? Quins Broncos? Quins something, surely?

: Sat Jun 06, 2009 11:30 pm  

Prince of Denmark wrote:

He told me he'd tried to book a ticket online but the website wouldn't allow him to do so and had initially implied the match was sold out. I directed him to the ticket office and told him to ask to look at the seating plan before choosing a seat at a suitable price and not to sit in the front five rows as the view would be $h1te. Hopefully his matchday experience wasn't too negative.

Look on the bright side. He saved £6 but not being able to book online

Maybe the club made it sold out on purpose to save the embarrassment of charging the fee

: Sun Jun 07, 2009 12:07 am  

It does make you wonder about the future of the club , currently doing well in the league but progress will be hampered by the poor crowds and the subsequent low commercial incomes.

: Sun Jun 07, 2009 12:58 am  

af wrote:

A start would be sorting the name and colours out. How do you market a team that to any person not already acquainted with it looks like an exact facsimile of an existing one?

Can't believe the club hasn't moved on ths (beyond dropping Quins RL and 'adopting' the ever so catchy 'Harlequins Rugby League') and that more of you lot aren't up in arms about it.

I realise that my suggestion of Quins 13 isn't everyone's cup of tea (though people seemed to like the quartered vee shirts) but they need something to market and differentiate. Quins Pride? Quins Broncos? Quins something, surely?

I have been saying this since the start, there might be more financial security but I can't see attendances ever growing under the Harlequins banner.

: Sun Jun 07, 2009 7:57 am  

Wes Hooligan wrote:

I have been saying this since the start, there might be more financial security but I can't see attendances ever growing under the Harlequins banner.

I may have missed it but where are we in terms of Ian Lenegan's investment.

Does there come a point where he has to have no financial interest under RFL rules and when is that ?

: Sun Jun 07, 2009 8:47 am  

RL in London doesn't work and i dont think it ever will, your attendance against the Crusaders was nothing short of embarrasing and something needs to be done and quickly to try and get bums on seats. I also agree that it must be awful for your top players to play infront of crowds so low

: Sun Jun 07, 2009 8:47 am  

Wes Hooligan wrote:

I have been saying this since the start, there might be more financial security but I can't see attendances ever growing under the Harlequins banner.

But it can be done, with some thought. Quins 13 does the job, similar but different.

: Sun Jun 07, 2009 9:50 am  

Are attendances down on last year? I suppose one of the main problems is that RL in London has been plugging away at it for the past 20 odd years and the same arguments have come up again and again, and the same old ideas have been tried over and over.
What the team needs is marketing muscle, and serious money with which to buy advertising in the London papers, on the tube, etc. But of course, where does the money come from? The RFL's attitude seems to be create local talent and let the game put down roots. A long term solution, and if it is effective, I think we will only see the results from it in 20 odd years (although of course, local talent is representing the team right now and it doesnt seem to be swelling the supporter ranks).
What I don't understand is the attitude of some fellow RL fans who come on here and complain (or shout things such as 'poop ground, no fans' at matches). If you loved the game, you would want to see a successful team in London. Newsflash- the majority of people in the country don't know or care where sh*t holes like Castleford and St Helens are. The only way the game will grow and raise it's profile is through expansion.
I don't know if the RFL already do this, but a seriously large amount of money needs to pumped into promoting the international game and teams like Celtic and Harlequins. The profile of Union is continually soaring. Most union fans I meet are no where near as prejudiced and spiteful towards are code as I am of theres. High-profile cross code games are needed, as well as the poaching of Union talent (of course, whilst there still young and inexpensive, e.g Brian Carney).
Well, my thoughts anyhow.

: Sun Jun 07, 2009 10:21 am  

Yes the crwod was terrible but 5,000 and something for Cas v Wire was pathetic as well.

: Sun Jun 07, 2009 10:29 am  

af wrote:

But it can be done, with some thought. Quins 13 does the job, similar but different.

Somehow I doubt the name has any impact on the crowd size.