Progress : Thu Feb 26, 2009 1:43 pm  

After the debate that raged (over 100 posts in a day on our board is raging ) I wondered what the different perception of success and progress was amongst the posters on here.

Here's My overview:
2005. Last year as the Broncos: 6th place in the league, defeat to the Bulls in the first round of the play-offs. Total Attendance figure 56,047, averaging 4,003 per game. This was up 15% on the previous season.
2006: Harlequins Rugby League: 7th place. Total attendance figure (with the double header counted as 4 and not 12k) 60,842 averaging 4,345. This is a 25% increase on the previous year.
2007: 9th place. 44,569 fans came through the gates that year, averaging 3,428 which was down 27% on the previous year
2008: 9th place. 50,821 came to the stoop, averaging 3,909 per game. This was up 14% on the previous season.

So, in 3 years as Quins RL we have managed to end up with 100 less fans at each game and dropped from play-off contenders to canon fodder. Yes, we have blooded new young talent, seen 2 Cockney internationals and had some great days, but we have also had 1 owner, are looking for a new one. We've had 2 CEO's, 3(?) chairmen, no marketing manager and generated little or no money from any commercial activities.

So overall, we have been successful in that we are still in existance, but we have made no progress other than seeing the young London Talent come through.
God it's fun being a quins fan

: Thu Feb 26, 2009 1:57 pm  

My opinion

SUCCESS

- No major drops in gate (note:major!)
- New location
- New identity (churn of fans loyal to Broncos has been offset)

Of course, you could be HullFC - Grand Final to 11th in 1 season and becoming 2nd best in the city. Major drop in gates and awful season.

In relative terms - Quins are a stable team gaining a foothold in a difficult league.

[brian2]

: Thu Feb 26, 2009 2:13 pm  

Think your both right!

Rather than look back we need to look forward. Securing franchise was key and i think it was a tragedy Paul Brown stepped down. I for one would be happy to top up Evans's salary at Quins RU and get him to do the job part-time, if her were interested.

what we have to do is build over the three years, not hold our own but build towards 5000? Hence why i think all you marketing people are right, we need some imagination exercised. With the play-offs they start at 8 this year so minimum must be 8, but we must aim for 6. we need to be target driven, if we can acheive that we will be maing progress.........................................

: Thu Feb 26, 2009 2:17 pm  

brian2 wrote:

Think your both right!

Rather than look back we need to look forward. Securing franchise was key and i think it was a tragedy Paul Brown stepped down. I for one would be happy to top up Evans's salary at Quins RU and get him to do the job part-time, if her were interested.

what we have to do is build over the three years, not hold our own but build towards 5000? Hence why i think all you marketing people are right, we need some imagination exercised. With the play-offs they start at 8 this year so minimum must be 8, but we must aim for 6. we need to be target driven, if we can acheive that we will be maing progress.........................................

That was the most exciting rumour that has appeared on this board for years IMO. I still hold out hope that 1 day it will happen.

: Thu Feb 26, 2009 2:27 pm  

Another half empty cup of hope to Mr Lister at Table 14 please!

Shaken - not stirred!

: Thu Feb 26, 2009 3:25 pm  

ExiledFromHull wrote:

Another half empty cup of hope to Mr Lister at Table 14 please!

Shaken - not stirred!

He's right though........he (Evans not Listy )has been there, done that and got the t-shirt!

: Thu Feb 26, 2009 4:30 pm  

Dave Lister wrote:

That was the most exciting rumour that has appeared on this board for years IMO. I still hold out hope that 1 day it will happen.

Agreed, the guy is just World Class.

: Thu Feb 26, 2009 4:37 pm  

Success - lots of young english players in the team and not the constant turnover of playing staff of yore.
Success- a youth development program
Sucess- building up local media contacts
Success- Sticking in area

Fail - Losing stupid fans who "wont support Harlequins"
Fail - not capitalising on the bounce in attendence we got from those first games as quins.
Fail - age of fans -most of them are old or kids we need to get the 20-40 market.