: Fri Apr 10, 2009 8:48 am  

Mr Sheen wrote:

I was brought up on Union and I find the absence of scrums and line-outs a glorious relief. Total waste of time as a spectator.

I can't understand the frustrating lack of traction. I think the Quins brand is a good idea, as they are the runaway success in Union in London. I don't think the name is going to put off fans of other clubs if the Quins fans themselves aren't much interested. I have brought the parents of some of the kids I coach in mini-Union, many of whom are regular Quins Union fans, to the RL. They all claim to enjoy it, both the game and the livelier atmosphere despite the much smaller crowd, but they don't go back.

Not only do I feel it is a much more entertaining spectacle than Union, but I find the lighter spirits in the crowd a great relief after the bile and histrionics of football. I think there is a great deal of disaffection among football fans at the direction and expense of their game which could also be tapped (or is it just QPR?!) and newbie football fans would certainly find RL more accessible than Union.

Don't despair (yet). If the connection with Union gives us nothing else (apart from a superb ground of course) it is the model of a recognised name suddenly exploding in popularity and support. As has been pointed out, the RL side is so skint that the marketing spend has been slashed and the results are with us. One last push, please?

I'm not saying it doesn't happen.

Personally I find there is an actual dislike of RL from Union people of my age group. Not just the game itself but in the same way we have Union-haters there are plenty of League haters. I met plenty traveling who just looked down their noses at RL.

I just think the days when people would see a massive difference between the two have gone. 20 years ago you couldn't help but notice a difference in standard. Now that has gone. Plus people are protective of their own games, they are often reluctant to admit something else is better.

If somebody managed to create a hybrid of the two and it was much better than RL or RU, do you honestly think it would stand much chance of converting people on here? They would be openly hostile to it.

: Fri Apr 10, 2009 8:50 am  

Is there a case (not just in London) for suggesting that with SL games now costing £17-£20 upwards, we are pricing out the "speculative, potential new fan"? I've brought work colleagues (lower league football fans) to occasional games in the past and they've enjoyed it, but they now see current prices as more than they want to pay for something that they are not "in to" yet.

: Fri Apr 10, 2009 8:53 am  

Alice's Phallus wrote:

But I wonder what schemes that the marketing managers have devised to get bums on seats.

Does anyone know if they have offered free admission to all registered players 16 and under, and 5 pounds admission for all registered players over 16, with a discount ticket for sale if they bring a paying relative?

By jove he's got it! Nobody has ever thought of marketing before!

Marketing is a cop out word that fans use to kid themselves that that is the problem. The Bulls drop is down to marketing, National League clubs need to market better, NRL clubs are crap at marketing. Of course it has a place but its massively overrated in my opinion and the logistics of it are often forgotten. Its amazing how many clubs don't understand how to run clubs as well as many keyboard warriors on here do.

On a separate note I'm glad people have stopped replying to your insane ramblings as are noticed on the other thread.

: Fri Apr 10, 2009 9:04 am  

the trouble with Quins now is that even the loyal ones are moaning (as seen on many RLFans threads) about the ticketing arrangements (being forced into one stand) and about the lack of marketing, you have to fear for what will happen if even just a few of these give up on their season tickets next season. They seem to be annoying their existing support, without attracting anyone new.

: Fri Apr 10, 2009 9:27 am  

When I lived in London ( for 18 years through the 70s and 80s ) I went to watch all the previous manifestations of the London club regularly, despite being a Wire by birth. I now live in Northamptonshire, not far on paper from The Stoop, but it takes more-or-less the same time to get to the Stoop from here as it does to get to Warrington, so there's no reason for me to follow my 'second team' any more.

Quins may have to stay at The Stoop for another ten years while RL continues to grow slowly at grass roots. It's tough surviving on such low crowds, but let's not forget ( as one Giants fan alluded above ) that Hudds - the 'home town' of Rl struggled for years with poor attendances, and Salford, another heartland club, still do.

: Fri Apr 10, 2009 9:30 am  

Asgardian13 wrote:

When I lived in London ( for 18 years through the 70s and 80s ) I went to watch all the previous manifestations of the London club regularly, despite being a Wire by birth. I now live in Northamptonshire, not far on paper from The Stoop, but it takes more-or-less the same time to get to the Stoop from here as it does to get to Warrington, so there's no reason for me to follow my 'second team' any more.

Quins may have to stay at The Stoop for another ten years while RL continues to grow slowly at grass roots. It's tough surviving on such low crowds, but let's not forget ( as one Giants fan alluded above ) that Hudds - the 'home town' of Rl struggled for years with poor attendances, and Salford, another heartland club, still do.

I don't think ease of access should be underestimated. The Giants have managed to increase their crowds but it is easy to get to their ground.

: Fri Apr 10, 2009 9:42 am  

i fear for the quins fans TBH.
i cant see what more can be done in london to attract crowds, there is teh potential there to get massive crowds due to the many antipodeans in london, but as someone has already pointed out the amateur game is thriving down south so why not target these people? maybe try enticing them with cheap tickets?
im not sure what marketing if any goes on around london for quins rl but how many people are aware of a rugby league club in the capital?

and to be fair playing a game on the eve of the biggest bank holiday of the year is just stupid IMO

: Fri Apr 10, 2009 10:10 am  

meast wrote:

i fear for the quins fans TBH.
i cant see what more can be done in london to attract crowds, there is teh potential there to get massive crowds due to the many antipodeans in london, but as someone has already pointed out the amateur game is thriving down south so why not target these people? maybe try enticing them with cheap tickets?
im not sure what marketing if any goes on around london for quins rl but how many people are aware of a rugby league club in the capital?

and to be fair playing a game on the eve of the biggest bank holiday of the year is just stupid IMO

i agree with most of your post martin.. but what was the crowd at wigan??? on the eve of a bank holiday..london need a marketing revamp to get the youngsters into the stoop for free.. teach em young etc

: Fri Apr 10, 2009 10:19 am  

even something as simple as a BOGOF offer that way the guys who go and pay regular take a mate for free

: Fri Apr 10, 2009 10:24 am  

Maximus Decimus wrote:

By jove he's got it! Nobody has ever thought of marketing before!

Marketing is a cop out word that fans use to kid themselves that that is the problem. The Bulls drop is down to marketing, National League clubs need to market better, NRL clubs are crap at marketing. Of course it has a place but its massively overrated in my opinion and the logistics of it are often forgotten. Its amazing how many clubs don't understand how to run clubs as well as many keyboard warriors on here do.

On a separate note I'm glad people have stopped replying to your insane ramblings as are noticed on the other thread.

I am glad that you bothered to reply to my insane ramblings. I guess you are not a person then. Certainly, your inability to write a grammatically correct English sentence, as evidenced above, shows that you are very ignorant person, as well as a hilariously silly person.