: Fri Apr 17, 2009 7:15 pm  

Alice's Phallus wrote:

You misunderstand me. I was pointing out that position on the Super League table -- namely being at the bottom or not -- is not a major issue for a license renewal decision. The other criteria are more important.

I know. I was just yanking your chain.

: Fri Apr 17, 2009 7:16 pm  

littlerich wrote:

I know. I was just yanking your chain.

Cheap points to you this round, I guess.

I guess that I am really worried that the Wakefield fans -- with their limited education, and their high susceptibility to cheap promises made by overweight local charlatans -- are going have their hopes raised now, only to have them dashed later.

: Fri Apr 17, 2009 7:19 pm  

Here's a question for you Mr Phallus.

You state:

"position on the Super League table -- namely being at the bottom or not -- is not a major issue for a license renewal decision. The other criteria are more important".

Do you think that's a good thing or a bad thing - in sport? In sport - how much credence should we put upon clubs' actual performance on the pitch?

: Fri Apr 17, 2009 7:25 pm  

littlerich wrote:

Here's a question for you Mr Phallus.

You state:

"position on the Super League table -- namely being at the bottom or not -- is not a major issue for a license renewal decision. The other criteria are more important".

Do you think that's a good thing or a bad thing - in sport? In sport - how much credence should we put upon clubs' actual performance on the pitch?

I think that the main thing in our sport is having clubs that can attract good crowds week in week out, the way that Leeds, Wigan and Hull FC do. Of course on field performance is relevant to that, but even poorly performing teams like Wigan and Hull FC can still attract decent crowds.

Note that all of these clubs have decent stadia. Poorly performing clubs with poor stadia, like Bradford, cannot draw the crowds they potentially could. So having a comfortable stadium is the key. Wakefield's management have neglected the stadium issue for decades. Bell Vue was not even fit for human habitation in 1979, let alone in 2009!

: Fri Apr 17, 2009 7:30 pm  

Alice's Phallus wrote:

I think that the main thing in our sport is having clubs that can attract good crowds week in week out, the way that Leeds, Wigan and Hull FC do. Of course on field performance is relevant to that, but even poorly performing teams like Wigan and Hull FC can still attract decent crowds. Note that all of these clubs have decent stadia. Porrly performing clubs with poor stadia, like Bradford, cannot draw the crowds they potentially could.

OK

So, where do Harlequins fit into all this - especially the highlighted bit above?

: Fri Apr 17, 2009 7:49 pm  

you could have the best looking stadium around with white seats, and the 2 blue stripes with the red-that would look great! got to do it!

: Fri Apr 17, 2009 11:48 pm  

littlerich wrote:

OK

So, where do Harlequins fit into all this - especially the highlighted bit above?

Harlequins crowd problem is an ongoing struggle. Unfortunately the club is now financially strapped, and cannot employ the kind of quality marketing manager that it needs.

Quins, unlike the northern clubs, are starved of mass media attention. The only way that Quins crowds will improve is when a second London club is licensed and the national and local London news media start to take rugby league in London seriously.

: Fri Apr 17, 2009 11:48 pm  

Alice's Phallus wrote:

I have been writing that on here for years. But the minute I write it, some dope comes on here and accuses me of trolling.

The fact of the matter is that there may be no approval or agreed contract by 2011, in which case Wakey are likely to drop back into the Championship. At that point I would think that a more modest 8,000 capacity stadium, with 5,000 seats and 3,000 terrace capacity, would be appropriate.

People need to understand that the Championship is going to become bigger and better, what with the TV telecast on Sky every Thursday night, and all the great French clubs joining in (Paris or Lyon or both could well follow Toulouse in 2012). There will be a great international competition to enjoy in the Championship

What a banker

: Fri Apr 17, 2009 11:55 pm  

vastman wrote:

What a banker

No, I am not a banker. But I can recommend you one. I certainly hope that Wakefield has connections with a good banker, someone who is willing to take huge risks.

If Wakefield is denied a license in 2011, then there will need to be a great gamble by Wakefield's bankers that the club can continue to achieve their 6,500 SL crowds in the Championship. Wakefield will be competing with a club like Leigh that has a nice little stadium appropriate for the Championship. But that is why I have proposed that Wakefield try to build an 8,000 capacity stadium, that won't look too empty on TV on Thursday nights.

: Sat Apr 18, 2009 9:02 am  

Alice's Phallus wrote:

You seem to assume that we are still in the Promotion-relegation system, where position on the table was everything. Actually I have to inform you that a licensing system began this year, and position on the table is not a major issue any more. According to the criteria, Wakefield were lucky to get a spot in 2009. They are on notice about their future license.

Warrington will never be dropped. Their only problem is on the field. But they have everything else in place, including a poorly designed, soulless, but nonetheless adequate stadium.

Wakefield can be dropped because of a number of factors against it. These include being too close to Castleford, not having a good junior set up, not having enough supporters, and having a dreadful, disgusting stadium.

That is why Wakefield needs to think long and hard about what it is aiming for with a new stadium, and find out is it going to materialise before the Second Coming, let alone before the licensing decisions in 2011.

Many Warrington fans are frustrated Widnes fans just chasing some glory. With little chance of any glory at the wire this season why don't you go back to Widnes and watch them in the Championship that you so obviously yearn to watch.

Wakefield’s Junior set up is better than Warrington’s and Widnes put together so no problems there.

Being close to Cas is actually a positive as it gives us a proper derby game, unlike the fabricated Cheshire derby that Wire and Chemics pretend to have.

Our support has grown by around 90% in the last five years and we averaged over 7,000 last year. We did this despite our stadium and the lack of travelling away fans who understandably don't want to come to Belle Vue on rainy days. This especially applies to the perpetually booing Warrington fans that came in a taxi.

When we get the inevitable attendance boost that Wire and Hull have already enjoyed I'm sure we'll be up there with the five figure clubs.

With regards the franchise, Wakefield scored exceptionally well in every other area apart from the stadium, which although very old still meets the Super League criteria. I have no idea which orifice you pulled these other criticisms from.