: Sun Jun 07, 2009 5:31 pm  

Quin Eagle wrote: I wonder if anyone has the attendance records for the period of Richards Branson’s time owning the Club. We had a great team with rugby legends such as Offiah and Edwards, but ultimately we had a team that was fantastically marketed across the capital. Pre 2000 available here: http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seaso ... mmary.html http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seaso ... mmary.html As an example - 2,153 to watch Salford at the Stoop in 1999. 2,014 to watch Hudds in 1998. Granted, the team weren't flying high as now, but as you say, Offiah and Edwards and Branson, Wembley in 1999.....but still plenty of better things to do in London. London folk are fickle... Go here for 2000-2008 http://www.slstats.org/t12/London%20Bro ... mmary.html http://www.slstats.org/t12/Harlequins%2 ... mmary.html Some shockers all over the place - a 2040 in 2000; a 2198 in 2004, 1800 in 2001. Btw - have a look at this and compare to a) Quins and b) where they're at now. And this is where the game was invented! Perhaps they're now being well and consistently run and winning games...? http://www.slstats.org/t7/Huddersfield% ... mmary.html Don't get me wrong, attendances so far this season have been terrible, but there was nobody leading the club in pre-season and it's undoubtedly affecting the club now, they're having to play catch up. I'd give current incumbents a bit of a break - Celtic was always going to be a shocker, they brought about 50 people and I saw nothing of London Welsh (Wales were on TV at 7pm, so I suspect their clubhouse was rammed for that and people chose to watch the Lions there too). Add into the mix - Lions at 2pm, England football at 4pm, England RU v Arg at 4pm and you have a scheduling debacle. I asked 10 mates to come along and they all wanted to go to the pub to watch an afternoon of sport. South London Storm played West London Sharks at Grasshoppers down the road at 2:30 and couldn't make it (generally both sides turn out a tidy bunch of fans) and Elmbridge (Kingston) and Hainault all had fixtures too. Bummer eh. There hasn't been time for the incentives currently being worked on to impact - see what happens with the Leeds and Saints fixtures, seems from the programme that they're being targeted. Btw - the ticketing system employed at the club is apparently run by Quins RU, so if your emails aren't being responded to, why not phone up the RL office and complain bitterly in case your emails aren't being forwarded on to them....they might not know?

Quin Eagle wrote: I wonder if anyone has the attendance records for the period of Richards Branson’s time owning the Club. We had a great team with rugby legends such as Offiah and Edwards, but ultimately we had a team that was fantastically marketed across the capital. Pre 2000 available here: http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seaso ... mmary.html http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seaso ... mmary.html As an example - 2,153 to watch Salford at the Stoop in 1999. 2,014 to watch Hudds in 1998. Granted, the team weren't flying high as now, but as you say, Offiah and Edwards and Branson, Wembley in 1999.....but still plenty of better things to do in London. London folk are fickle... Go here for 2000-2008 http://www.slstats.org/t12/London%20Bro ... mmary.html http://www.slstats.org/t12/Harlequins%2 ... mmary.html Some shockers all over the place - a 2040 in 2000; a 2198 in 2004, 1800 in 2001. Btw - have a look at this and compare to a) Quins and b) where they're at now. And this is where the game was invented! Perhaps they're now being well and consistently run and winning games...? http://www.slstats.org/t7/Huddersfield% ... mmary.html Don't get me wrong, attendances so far this season have been terrible, but there was nobody leading the club in pre-season and it's undoubtedly affecting the club now, they're having to play catch up. I'd give current incumbents a bit of a break - Celtic was always going to be a shocker, they brought about 50 people and I saw nothing of London Welsh (Wales were on TV at 7pm, so I suspect their clubhouse was rammed for that and people chose to watch the Lions there too). Add into the mix - Lions at 2pm, England football at 4pm, England RU v Arg at 4pm and you have a scheduling debacle. I asked 10 mates to come along and they all wanted to go to the pub to watch an afternoon of sport. South London Storm played West London Sharks at Grasshoppers down the road at 2:30 and couldn't make it (generally both sides turn out a tidy bunch of fans) and Elmbridge (Kingston) and Hainault all had fixtures too. Bummer eh. There hasn't been time for the incentives currently being worked on to impact - see what happens with the Leeds and Saints fixtures, seems from the programme that they're being targeted. Btw - the ticketing system employed at the club is apparently run by Quins RU, so if your emails aren't being responded to, why not phone up the RL office and complain bitterly in case your emails aren't being forwarded on to them....they might not know?

: Sun Jun 07, 2009 9:43 pm  

Dave Lister wrote:

Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Manchester United

Seems only you see it as a problem, whereas in reality it isn't.

Would you suggest they change their names to Wakey and Man Utd?

They each get called Wakefield, Trinity, the Wildcats, United, Man Utd, Man U in the press and by the public. Which is fine because everyone knows who they're on about when they use those terms.

Say Quins to most people and they'll think of the Union team. Show them a quartered shirt and they'll think of the Union team. I can tell you from personal experience that there are interested schoolkids in London that think the Broncos just went bust and don't or didn't understand that not every Quins player in a quartered jersey is a RU player.

You can tell you've got a problem when a journalist of the quality of Clare Balding fumbles and calls the club 'London Harlequins'. I know plenty on here are opposed to the Quins link-up but I believe it can work. But the club's identity can't be totally subsumed. They need some sort of handy title to mark them out. Like Trinity or United as you helpfully provided.

Quins 13. Quins Pride. Quins Something. Quins Anything. The club obviously agrees because they started off with Quins RL only to drop it because people didn't know what RL was. But they have to realise that 'Rugby League' is too long and too generic to be used as a suffix widely.

: Sun Jun 07, 2009 10:09 pm  

af wrote:

They each get called Wakefield, Trinity, the Wildcats, United, Man Utd, Man U in the press and by the public. Which is fine because everyone knows who they're on about when they use those terms.

Say Quins to most people and they'll think of the Union team. Show them a quartered shirt and they'll think of the Union team. I can tell you from personal experience that there are interested schoolkids in London that think the Broncos just went bust and don't or didn't understand that not every Quins player in a quartered jersey is a RU player.

You can tell you've got a problem when a journalist of the quality of Clare Balding fumbles and calls the club 'London Harlequins'. I know plenty on here are opposed to the Quins link-up but I believe it can work. But the club's identity can't be totally subsumed. They need some sort of handy title to mark them out. Like Trinity or United as you helpfully provided.

Quins 13. Quins Pride. Quins Something. Quins Anything. The club obviously agrees because they started off with Quins RL only to drop it because people didn't know what RL was. But they have to realise that 'Rugby League' is too long and too generic to be used as a suffix widely.

rule 1. Dave Lister is always right
rule 2. Dave Lister is ALWAYS right
rule 3. if you are not Dave Lister then you're wrong

personally i think you're right but im not Dave Lister so im wrong and neither are you so you're wrong.
Any one got a crane for my chip ?

don't forget the lol

: Sun Jun 07, 2009 10:12 pm  

Wire_Yed_79 wrote:

rule 1. Dave Lister is always right
rule 2. Dave Lister is ALWAYS right
rule 3. if you are not Dave Lister then you're wrong

personally i think you're right but im not Dave Lister so im wrong and neither are you so you're wrong.
Any one got a crane for my chip ?

don't forget the lol

careful, you'll end up on his followers list

: Sun Jun 07, 2009 10:21 pm  

Hull Kingston Bronco wrote:

careful, you'll end up on his followers list

He makes this place so entertaining, i actually enjoy his comments.

Dave if you ever think im being antagonistic im sorry, i read your comments and i smile

: Sun Jun 07, 2009 10:26 pm  

Whoever arranged our fixtures this year needs shooting.

that's 6 home games now that we've gone head to head with the major sporting event. 2 RU internationals, the Grand National, Man U in FA cup semis and two England soccer internationals.
not to mention the two away games sky has moved for us too.

Im a big fan of the Sat ko's but would gladly play anytime other than at the EXACT SAME TIME!!!! as the biggest sporting event in the country at that time.

: Sun Jun 07, 2009 10:48 pm  

Darthchris wrote:

Whoever arranged our fixtures this year needs shooting.

that's 6 home games now that we've gone head to head with the major sporting event. 2 RU internationals, the Grand National, Man U in FA cup semis and two England soccer internationals.
not to mention the two away games sky has moved for us too.

Im a big fan of the Sat ko's but would gladly play anytime other than at the EXACT SAME TIME!!!! as the biggest sporting event in the country at that time.

I know I am in the other camp where match day is concerned but ALL of these would have been irrelevant if we played on a Sunday

One of the main reasons for Saturday being preferred was the fact that travelling fans would be more likely to travel on a Saturday. Well it seems that travelling support is down this year and its bonkers to even think we can compete with events such as this

Although of course I have been told that if I was a fan I would be there whatever the circumstances so that logic says that events such as these should make no difference. Fact is they do.

There is no proof at all that crowds would be better on a Sunday but it feels like they certainly couldn't be any worse. Maybe its time for a rethink

The facts this year are that Saturday games against Wigan, Hull, Warrington and Celtic have averaged 3231 (accepted that two were on SKY). Having said that the two Saturday 3pm kickoffs have amassed an average of 2725 and this is the preferred kick off !!!

Sunday games against Hull KR and Wakefield averaged 3552. Also the biggest crowd of the season was against Manly on a Sunday (although this is a bit different)

The facts suggest that Saturday is not the great saviour is was expected to be

Fact is that unless the club do something it actually makes no difference what the matchday is because crowds will continue to be crap

: Sun Jun 07, 2009 11:36 pm  

Ok - it's late, but Fri's and Sun's didn't seem to serve the club too badly in 1997. Quite a lot of variance which would point to either a lot of travelling support (London being a novelty then) or certain games being heavily marketed (I believe there was a full time team of 3, who went at the end of the season, poss why 1998 and 1999 are terrible in comparison?) The final Bradford figure is quite remarkable, if true. I make the average to be - 5,125. Not bad..... http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seaso ... sults.html Sun Mar 16th London 24 St Helens 28 R. Smith The Stoop 6,949 Fri Mar 28th London 28 Paris St Germain 10 S. Cummings The Stoop 5,293 Fri Apr 18th London 48 Salford 12 D. Campbell The Stoop 4,495 Sun Apr 27th London 40 Leeds 16 D. Campbell The Stoop 5,919 Fri May 23rd London 30 Warrington 6 R. Connolly The Stoop 4,893 Fri May 30th London 32 Sheffield Eagles 12 S. Ganson The Stoop 3,539 Sun Jun 29th London 17 Castleford 10 S. Cummings The Stoop 2,500 Fri Jul 4th London 38 Wigan 12 R. Smith The Stoop 7,118 Tue Aug 5th London 36 Oldham 28 S. Cummings The Stoop 3,107 Mon Aug 25th London 28 Halifax 28 S. Ganson The Stoop 3,400 Sun Aug 31st London 28 Bradford 24 J. Connolly The Stoop 9,166

Ok - it's late, but Fri's and Sun's didn't seem to serve the club too badly in 1997. Quite a lot of variance which would point to either a lot of travelling support (London being a novelty then) or certain games being heavily marketed (I believe there was a full time team of 3, who went at the end of the season, poss why 1998 and 1999 are terrible in comparison?) The final Bradford figure is quite remarkable, if true. I make the average to be - 5,125. Not bad..... http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seaso ... sults.html Sun Mar 16th London 24 St Helens 28 R. Smith The Stoop 6,949 Fri Mar 28th London 28 Paris St Germain 10 S. Cummings The Stoop 5,293 Fri Apr 18th London 48 Salford 12 D. Campbell The Stoop 4,495 Sun Apr 27th London 40 Leeds 16 D. Campbell The Stoop 5,919 Fri May 23rd London 30 Warrington 6 R. Connolly The Stoop 4,893 Fri May 30th London 32 Sheffield Eagles 12 S. Ganson The Stoop 3,539 Sun Jun 29th London 17 Castleford 10 S. Cummings The Stoop 2,500 Fri Jul 4th London 38 Wigan 12 R. Smith The Stoop 7,118 Tue Aug 5th London 36 Oldham 28 S. Cummings The Stoop 3,107 Mon Aug 25th London 28 Halifax 28 S. Ganson The Stoop 3,400 Sun Aug 31st London 28 Bradford 24 J. Connolly The Stoop 9,166

: Mon Jun 08, 2009 6:29 am  

poorlytoe wrote: Ok - it's late, but Fri's and Sun's didn't seem to serve the club too badly in 1997. Quite a lot of variance which would point to either a lot of travelling support (London being a novelty then) or certain games being heavily marketed (I believe there was a full time team of 3, who went at the end of the season, poss why 1998 and 1999 are terrible in comparison?) The final Bradford figure is quite remarkable, if true. I make the average to be - 5,125. Not bad..... http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seaso ... sults.html Sun Mar 16th London 24 St Helens 28 R. Smith The Stoop 6,949 Fri Mar 28th London 28 Paris St Germain 10 S. Cummings The Stoop 5,293 Fri Apr 18th London 48 Salford 12 D. Campbell The Stoop 4,495 Sun Apr 27th London 40 Leeds 16 D. Campbell The Stoop 5,919 Fri May 23rd London 30 Warrington 6 R. Connolly The Stoop 4,893 Fri May 30th London 32 Sheffield Eagles 12 S. Ganson The Stoop 3,539 Sun Jun 29th London 17 Castleford 10 S. Cummings The Stoop 2,500 Fri Jul 4th London 38 Wigan 12 R. Smith The Stoop 7,118 Tue Aug 5th London 36 Oldham 28 S. Cummings The Stoop 3,107 Mon Aug 25th London 28 Halifax 28 S. Ganson The Stoop 3,400 Sun Aug 31st London 28 Bradford 24 J. Connolly The Stoop 9,166 1st v 2nd in a year we did well and the fair weather fans turned up. From memory that game was also the only major sporting event in the whole of the UK that day! Princess Diana died overnight before and Branson told people she would have wanted it to go on. You're also missing the World Club Challenge games that year.

poorlytoe wrote: Ok - it's late, but Fri's and Sun's didn't seem to serve the club too badly in 1997. Quite a lot of variance which would point to either a lot of travelling support (London being a novelty then) or certain games being heavily marketed (I believe there was a full time team of 3, who went at the end of the season, poss why 1998 and 1999 are terrible in comparison?) The final Bradford figure is quite remarkable, if true. I make the average to be - 5,125. Not bad..... http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seaso ... sults.html Sun Mar 16th London 24 St Helens 28 R. Smith The Stoop 6,949 Fri Mar 28th London 28 Paris St Germain 10 S. Cummings The Stoop 5,293 Fri Apr 18th London 48 Salford 12 D. Campbell The Stoop 4,495 Sun Apr 27th London 40 Leeds 16 D. Campbell The Stoop 5,919 Fri May 23rd London 30 Warrington 6 R. Connolly The Stoop 4,893 Fri May 30th London 32 Sheffield Eagles 12 S. Ganson The Stoop 3,539 Sun Jun 29th London 17 Castleford 10 S. Cummings The Stoop 2,500 Fri Jul 4th London 38 Wigan 12 R. Smith The Stoop 7,118 Tue Aug 5th London 36 Oldham 28 S. Cummings The Stoop 3,107 Mon Aug 25th London 28 Halifax 28 S. Ganson The Stoop 3,400 Sun Aug 31st London 28 Bradford 24 J. Connolly The Stoop 9,166 1st v 2nd in a year we did well and the fair weather fans turned up. From memory that game was also the only major sporting event in the whole of the UK that day! Princess Diana died overnight before and Branson told people she would have wanted it to go on. You're also missing the World Club Challenge games that year.

: Mon Jun 08, 2009 6:50 am  

Rooster Booster wrote:

You're also missing the World Club Challenge games that year.

I'm sorry.
Mon 21 July 1997 London Broncos def. Canberra Raiders 38-18 The Stoop London 7,819
Sun 27 July 1997 Brisbane Broncos def. London Broncos 34-16 The Stoop London 9,846
Fri 1 August 1997 Canterbury Bulldogs def. London Broncos 44-22 The Stoop London 6,923
Mon 6 October 1997 Cronulla Sharks def. London Broncos 40-16 The Stoop London 6,239