Re: Latest state of play posts only : Sun Aug 19, 2012 7:49 am  

Roofaldo wrote:

But that's not comparable to the Bulls situation should we be dropped down.

Rangers have held on to a large number of their players from last season because there's no salary restrictions like in RL. There's also promotion and relegation, so as it stands, it's likely Rangers will be back in the top flight in 3 years.

They're also one of their countries biggest clubs. They've sold, I believe, in the region of 30k season tickets. IF the Bulls could do that, we'd not be in the cackhole we are now. But there's far more to being a Rangers fan than just football. It's whole community identity that the club has bestowed on it's followers.

And that's before you even begin with the financial differences between football and RL. Even in the 3rd tier of Scottish football, Rangers are a big name and will probably pull in more sponsorship money for just their shirts than the Bulls would from all advertising they can muster.

I think Rangers will be back in SPL next season, it might not be around if they wait 3 years for them. You're right, there are fundamental differences between Rangers situation and ours, but it does highlight the importance of preserving as much of the fanbase as possible. And surely a Bulls team playing to 4-5,000 crowds in the Chamionship should be viable?

Re: Latest state of play posts only : Sun Aug 19, 2012 8:49 am  

Cibaman wrote:

I think Rangers will be back in SPL next season, it might not be around if they wait 3 years for them. You're right, there are fundamental differences between Rangers situation and ours, but it does highlight the importance of preserving as much of the fanbase as possible. And surely a Bulls team playing to 4-5,000 crowds in the Chamionship should be viable?

Would you retain that many fans?

Possibly year 1 , but after that? , and what level of support will you need in the Championship to continue playing at Odsal?

[Bulliac]

Re: Latest state of play posts only : Sun Aug 19, 2012 9:18 am  

Cibaman wrote:

I think Rangers will be back in SPL next season, it might not be around if they wait 3 years for them. You're right, there are fundamental differences between Rangers situation and ours, but it does highlight the importance of preserving as much of the fanbase as possible. And surely a Bulls team playing to 4-5,000 crowds in the Chamionship should be viable?

I'd think a 4 - 5K average crowd would sustain a successful championship team easily - the championship norm is much lower. With the cap being low it would be important to keep a good quality coaching system and the academy set up, though in the lower levels we would find it very difficult to attract the sort of player we are used to. As I'd suspect most clubs would be at the top end of the pretty low cap, the quality of coaching and training facilities would probably play a bigger part than they do in SL and a strong support base to finance that is bound to be an advantage.

Re: Latest state of play posts only : Sun Aug 19, 2012 9:48 am  

I think with effective low-cost marketing, using the net and the latent interest and support of the hardcore, we could be pleasantly surprised by the level of support if we were to drop out of Super League. A Wigan-style "tough-times" bounce in attendance is out there if we can harness it with the right message.

Re: Latest state of play posts only : Sun Aug 19, 2012 10:00 am  

af wrote:

I think with effective low-cost marketing, using the net and the latent interest and support of the hardcore, we could be pleasantly surprised by the level of support if we were to drop out of Super League. A Wigan-style "tough-times" bounce in attendance is out there if we can harness it with the right message.

You would no doubt retain a sizeable fan base early doors, it would however get more difficult if you were not in a position to re enter SL until 2018

Re: Latest state of play posts only : Sun Aug 19, 2012 11:31 am  

Starbug wrote:

You would no doubt retain a sizeable fan base early doors, it would however get more difficult if you were not in a position to re enter SL until 2018

True enough, but I do not believe that the Bulls will be the only club to go belly up in the next couple of years. They might revert back to a 12 team competition but, if not, SL might not be spoilt for choice when it comes to finding replacements.

Re: Latest state of play posts only : Sun Aug 19, 2012 11:52 am  

Whatever happened to George "I'll talk to my Middle East Contacts" Galloway? Like most MP's he had plenty to say at the time to get himself publicity but seems to have dropped back into the shadows.

Re: Latest state of play posts only : Sun Aug 19, 2012 12:08 pm  

Spannerz wrote:

Whatever happened to George "I'll talk to my Middle East Contacts" Galloway? Like most MP's he had plenty to say at the time to get himself publicity but seems to have dropped back into the shadows.

probably doesn't have any books coming out soon...

Re: Latest state of play posts only : Sun Aug 19, 2012 12:10 pm  

Spannerz wrote:

Whatever happened to George "I'll talk to my Middle East Contacts" Galloway? Like most MP's he had plenty to say at the time to get himself publicity but seems to have dropped back into the shadows.

Summer recess, he'll be on his Jollies somewhere!

Re: Latest state of play posts only : Sun Aug 19, 2012 12:29 pm  

Cibaman wrote:

I think Rangers will be back in SPL next season, it might not be around if they wait 3 years for them. You're right, there are fundamental differences between Rangers situation and ours, but it does highlight the importance of preserving as much of the fanbase as possible. And surely a Bulls team playing to 4-5,000 crowds in the Chamionship should be viable?

If we were able to ignore the salary cap of the Championship and retain our better players, then yes. I could see us holding on to that size a fan base.

Again, if the exile was only until the next round of franchise, we might not suffer too much.

But I really worry about holding on to the fan base.