Re: Story in Guardian today : Tue Jun 21, 2011 5:02 pm  

The whole defence behind the "Harlequins" name is bemusing. People have been called "morons" on this thread because they can't identify two letters on the same brand, unfortunately there are a lot of "morons" in the capital. The Harlequins brand is legendary within Rugby Union, people with half a knowledge of sports will know Harlequins is a Rugby Union team, the quartered shirts and the colours. I see people here in Essex in Harlequins shirts and its not until I get close that I make the decision whether they're a Union fan or not. We've mentioned on here that RLFC means nothing, how does "RL" mean anything either? It doesn't.

I can understand the idea behind moving to The Stoop and buying into the Harlequins brand. The plan was probably to get fans watching both sports and the club buying in on a well recognised brand in sports fans eyes, however, I don't think it has worked. A mixture of the rise of Harlequins RU and the demise of Harlequins RL is a factor, not the main factor but still a factor nonetheless. Harlequins RU rose up from the second division and thrusted into the attention of the British Public through the Bloodgate scandal, the club have also been successful in British RU and now won a European trophy, whereas, Harlequins RL have had no success on the pitch and little media attention.

Now is the time to do something though. London Broncos has been used and shouldn't be returned to, in my opinion. It was arguably a very good time for the club and possibly the best there's been due to the Challenge Cup Final appearance and top league positions in the early Super League years but now is the time to do something and make a mark. I'm not going to suggest a name but the Marketing has to be spot-on this time. I like the idea of talking to the Wigan club, they've marketed brilliantly in the past few years and what with the link between the two clubs through Lenagan, then its a good idea. We have to remember that London is a big city and there are millions of people here, but 25,000 aren't just going to turn up over night. Marketing the club to the people of Twickenham and surrounding areas has to be the start, they live local and won't have to travel far, there's no point in making mass advertisements for the Underground, people aren't going to want to travel far are they? Lets see they see the advertisement for London [insert name here] vs Wigan Warriors on Friday evening after work at Oxford Circus but they live out near Seven Sisters, they're not going to want to spend their weekend back on the Tube when they knowing come 7am on Monday they'll be back on their. Lazy mentality but its true. Obviously there will be exceptions as has proved with the "where do you live?" thread but the people that come in from Kent are loyal supporters, whereas its the new generation that needs to be targeted.

A unique selling point is the key for business and the "new" club needs one. It could be its a "new" club, just for example. "Be part of a ground breaking day in London", "Our City, Our Club" or whatever, try and make it a special occasion as the new club. Identifying the USP and saturating it is a must.

I hope the club get this right.

Re: Story in Guardian today : Tue Jun 21, 2011 5:11 pm  

Dave Lister wrote:

:WALL:

Lots of people have said to me that they thought Harlequins was a Rugby Union side. This is not a bad thing, this is in fact a great thing. The Harlequins brand carries a huge amount of credibility. I then explaint to them that Harlequins have a Rugby League side now too and we share their ground. And that's it. Its hardly difficult to understand. The way we sell our game reflects this.

An advertisement for Harlequins Rugby League carries a hell of a lot more clout than an advertisement for London Broncos, which genuinely means nothing to people and then I could understand at them not having a clue at what you are talking about.

Then Dave we will just have to agree to disagree and time will tell which one of is right! it is on the cards that there is going to be a change of name.

Like many here I have followed, supported and backed the London club since day one, yes 30 years, I am called an idiot back in my home town and a traitor, I have supported West Ham United even longer when it would have been much easier to have gone with Liverpool or Manchester United, on the West Ham forum we have some great debate bit we never need to call each other morons! we rise above that and any silly action smilies! currently I am totally again Big Fat Sam but many disagree with me, but it is sport and something to be enjoyed and we just carry on debating.

I just don't want to see London Rugby League fold! in fact if it does then that would be it for me with rugby league sadly!

Re: Story in Guardian today : Tue Jun 21, 2011 5:13 pm  

Moe Lester wrote:

The whole defence behind the "Harlequins" name is bemusing. People have been called "morons" on this thread because they can't identify two letters on the same brand, unfortunately there are a lot of "morons" in the capital. The Harlequins brand is legendary within Rugby Union, people with half a knowledge of sports will know Harlequins is a Rugby Union team, the quartered shirts and the colours. I see people here in Essex in Harlequins shirts and its not until I get close that I make the decision whether they're a Union fan or not. We've mentioned on here that RLFC means nothing, how does "RL" mean anything either? It doesn't.

I can understand the idea behind moving to The Stoop and buying into the Harlequins brand. The plan was probably to get fans watching both sports and the club buying in on a well recognised brand in sports fans eyes, however, I don't think it has worked. A mixture of the rise of Harlequins RU and the demise of Harlequins RL is a factor, not the main factor but still a factor nonetheless. Harlequins RU rose up from the second division and thrusted into the attention of the British Public through the Bloodgate scandal, the club have also been successful in British RU and now won a European trophy, whereas, Harlequins RL have had no success on the pitch and little media attention.

Now is the time to do something though. London Broncos has been used and shouldn't be returned to, in my opinion. It was arguably a very good time for the club and possibly the best there's been due to the Challenge Cup Final appearance and top league positions in the early Super League years but now is the time to do something and make a mark. I'm not going to suggest a name but the Marketing has to be spot-on this time. I like the idea of talking to the Wigan club, they've marketed brilliantly in the past few years and what with the link between the two clubs through Lenagan, then its a good idea. We have to remember that London is a big city and there are millions of people here, but 25,000 aren't just going to turn up over night. Marketing the club to the people of Twickenham and surrounding areas has to be the start, they live local and won't have to travel far, there's no point in making mass advertisements for the Underground, people aren't going to want to travel far are they? Lets see they see the advertisement for London [insert name here] vs Wigan Warriors on Friday evening after work at Oxford Circus but they live out near Seven Sisters, they're not going to want to spend their weekend back on the Tube when they knowing come 7am on Monday they'll be back on their. Lazy mentality but its true. Obviously there will be exceptions as has proved with the "where do you live?" thread but the people that come in from Kent are loyal supporters, whereas its the new generation that needs to be targeted.

A unique selling point is the key for business and the "new" club needs one. It could be its a "new" club, just for example. "Be part of a ground breaking day in London", "Our City, Our Club" or whatever, try and make it a special occasion as the new club. Identifying the USP and saturating it is a must.

I hope the club get this right.

I'm still waiting for someone to explain to me at what point of attempting to sell Harlequins RL does the "confusion" of people thinking we are a Rugby Union team occur, and why it prevents our club from being successful. People know Harlequins are an RU team, and our promotion clearly promotes us as a Rugby League team. I assume most people in the capital can read, hence the morons tag for people who cannot differentiate.

That was a pretty fair post, but another one who think's we don't have a USP? Other than being the only professional RL team in the South of England?

Re: Story in Guardian today : Tue Jun 21, 2011 5:16 pm  

Homer wrote:

Ps, Marketing what? with your grammar and spelling I hope it's nothing more substantial than knock off scags down the local flea market.

Sadly for you, I won't rise to your childish games!

Re: Story in Guardian today : Tue Jun 21, 2011 5:26 pm  

Dave Lister wrote:

I'm still waiting for someone to explain to me at what point of attempting to sell Harlequins RL does the "confusion" of people thinking we are a Rugby Union team occur, and why it prevents our club from being successful.

That was a pretty fair post, but another one who think's we don't have a USP? Other than being the only professional RL team in the South of England?

Dave, it is a simple Fact it has not worked as Harlequins RL, in fact if I had been David Hughes I would have pulled the plug before now!

Be careful the word and grammar police may be around "think's" but I doubt he would say anything to you!

Moe Lester made some relevant points,but at the end of the say it is not us here on a forum who will make the final decision, whatever they may say about consulting. Why we can't just express our opinions freely and just debate we are never all going to agree without a few making it childish is beyond me?

Re: Story in Guardian today : Tue Jun 21, 2011 5:28 pm  

jaybs wrote:

Dave, it is a simple Fact it has not worked as Harlequins RL, in fact if I had been David Hughes I would have pulled the plug before now!

Be careful the word and grammar police may be around "think's" but I doubt he would say anything to you!

Moe Lester made some relevant points,but at the end of the say it is not us here on a forum who will make the final decision, whatever they may say about consulting. Why we can't just express our opinions freely and just debate we are never all going to agree without a few making it childish is beyond me?

Once again, you dodge the question and refer to this "simple fact".

Re: Story in Guardian today : Tue Jun 21, 2011 5:54 pm  

We have failed to take advantage of the Harlequins name. However, if we are going to stay at the Stoop then I think the name should remain and we should make the best of having it.

Re: Story in Guardian today : Tue Jun 21, 2011 6:04 pm  

jbuzza wrote:

We have failed to take advantage of the Harlequins name. However, if we are going to stay at the Stoop then I think the name should remain and we should make the best of having it.

Yup.

Re: Story in Guardian today : Tue Jun 21, 2011 6:06 pm  

If the stadium is in twickenham then why dont you call yourselves twickenham rl?.
Thats assuming you are changing your name again.

Re: Story in Guardian today : Tue Jun 21, 2011 6:51 pm  

Only just found out about this today, as have been away this weekend!
I don't see the point of changing our name again. The club are obviously just using this as an excuse for the paltry crowds. However when we're still losing at home every week in front of poor crowds, everything will be ok as we're called London The club are trying to take the easy way out again, rather than trying to make it work.
I hate the idea of being called 'Broncos.' It's a stupid American-ised name that has nothing to do with London or the club's origin. It's funny that people say we need our own identity, then say we should be called 'Broncos', given that was the name after the Brisbane takeover.
I assume this means we'll be leaving the Stoop again then?? No idea where we'll play.