4 more reasons why Harlequins crowds are lower than most! : Mon Jun 22, 2009 12:58 pm  

Interested to see the 'Summer at the Stoop' page on the Harlequins site.

Who on earth thinks these ideas up???

It mentions 'Four Fantastic days'

1. 'Rugby Fest' .. 20th June. This involves turning up at 130pm and watching the Lions v the Saffas play UNION on the big screen.

Why??? I don't know of many league fans who would give a fat rats about a yawnion game between the Lions and the Saffas. All the Saffas I know headed to the Bok Bar to drink Saffa beer in the company of other Saffas to watch this one.


2. 'Down Under Day' ... 25th July. This involves 'Antipodean entertainment, food and drink from 2pm'

Why?? Im an Aussie but I get my 'Antipodean entertainment, food and drink' from one of the many Walkabout inns, the Church, or the Reddy.

Why would I want to travel to The Stoop when I can get it all at a pub??? From what I'm aware Harlequins have got hardly any Aussies playing for them now anyway. And they stopped stocking VB at the Broncos years ago. I havent seen the 'Antipodean entertainment' list for this event. I can guarantee it wont be AC/DC, The Veronicas, followed by Rodney Rude and Kevin Bloody Wilson though.

3. 'Community Day' ... 11th July. This involves 'A fantastic day of family entertainment (from 215pm)' Thats hardly a full day is it. Thats like me saying I'm actually a 12 foot man but 6 feet of me is something else.

4. 'Dance off day' ... August 8th. This involves 'A great DAY of Dance acts' (from 2pm) Kick off is at 3. So thats an hour. An hour of 'great' dance acts. I'm sure your average footy fan cant wait for that one


God knows who thinks this stuff up.

But I can assure you none of it makes me (or anyone else I know) want to head to Twickenham [/b]

: Mon Jun 22, 2009 1:07 pm  

Erm I don't see why these are genuine reasons for the crowds being low, they may not boost crowd numbers significantly, but I'm not aware of RL fans refusing to come and watch because there's a RU match on 4 hours before. It's the same with the dance effort, I have no interest in it personally, but I'm not going to boycott the game because of my general disinterest in something that has no bearing on the game.

: Mon Jun 22, 2009 1:12 pm  

Kelvin's Ferret wrote:

Erm I don't see why these are genuine reasons for the crowds being low, they may not boost crowd numbers significantly, but I'm not aware of RL fans refusing to come and watch because there's a RU match on 4 hours before. It's the same with the dance effort, I have no interest in it personally, but I'm not going to boycott the game because of my general disinterest in something that has no bearing on the game.

My point is that if the club laid on some things that people genuinely would WANT to come and watch you would see an increase in crowd numbers.

I'm not saying people will boycott the games....but sticking a union game on a big screen before kick off isn't exactly going to have them queueing up down the road is it???

: Mon Jun 22, 2009 1:14 pm  

Barry_McKenzie wrote:

My point is that if the club laid on some things that people genuinely would WANT to come and watch you would see an increase in crowd numbers.

I'm not saying people will boycott the games....but sticking a union game on a big screen before kick off isn't exactly going to have them queueing up down the road is it???

I don't know. The Union match was far more entertaining than the pants down thrashing our boys received.

: Mon Jun 22, 2009 1:33 pm  

Barry_McKenzie wrote:

My point is that if the club laid on some things that people genuinely would WANT to come and watch you would see an increase in crowd numbers.

So in a spirit of positive thinking, what would these be in your opinion?

: Mon Jun 22, 2009 1:43 pm  

Homer wrote:

So in a spirit of positive thinking, what would these be in your opinion?

You tell me

You are the Harlequins fan!


Some things I've seen at various footy matches

Rival supporters touch footy seven a side competitions before games.

I've seen bands play.

I've seen field goal competitions with participants drawn at random out of the crowd....winner wins signed jerseys that type of thing

Raffles ....winning ticket drawn in the bar an hour before k/o ... winning ticket wins a holiday....or coaching session....that kind of thing.

Clearly more people will show up if they stand a good chance of winning something.


I'm sure you can think of many more.

: Mon Jun 22, 2009 1:49 pm  

Barry_McKenzie wrote:

You tell me

You are the Harlequins fan!


Some things I've seen at various footy matches

Rival supporters touch footy seven a side competitions before games.

I've seen bands play.

I've seen field goal competitions with participants drawn at random out of the crowd....winner wins signed jerseys that type of thing

Raffles ....winning ticket drawn in the bar an hour before k/o ... winning ticket wins a holiday....or coaching session....that kind of thing.

Clearly more people will show up if they stand a good chance of winning something.


I'm sure you can think of many more.

There have been IMBRL, RLC, and kids games played nearby (i.e. on the fields at the back, or on the college field) before games, it didn't appear to increase the crowd.

We have regularly had kicking contests at half time for signed match balls or cases of beer etc, these don't seem to have increased crowds either. There is already a match day raffle and a regular lottery promotion.

We also have a band playing after the game.

: Mon Jun 22, 2009 2:06 pm  

Kelvin's Ferret wrote:

There have been IMBRL, RLC, and kids games played nearby (i.e. on the fields at the back, or on the college field) before games, it didn't appear to increase the crowd.

We have regularly had kicking contests at half time for signed match balls or cases of beer etc, these don't seem to have increased crowds either. There is already a match day raffle and a regular lottery promotion.

We also have a band playing after the game.

They ought to play more games inside the actual stadium.

If 'Little Jimmy' is playing in a kids game there is a very realistic chance Little Jimmy's parents, relos, friends will turn up to support him....and stay for the main event, hopefully liking what they see and returning. Not much point playing outside the stadium..... they will all just go home afterwards.

Maybe the prizes for your lottery could do with being better???? Im not bagging out the ones you have.........but a signed match ball???

How about a seven a side touch footy match between the opposing supporters clubs???

The club need to get people to turn up early..maybe a few hours early.....therefore using the facilities and spending money in the bar, club shop or whatever you guys have down there.

Cant see the logic of having a band playing AFTER the game really....London (by English standards) is a long way from the north and people just want to get away asap after the game.

: Mon Jun 22, 2009 2:19 pm  

Here's a good idea. A team which wins a majority of its home games.

Nothing succeeds like success. But how to do it?

Re: 4 more reasons why Harlequins crowds are lower than most! : Mon Jun 22, 2009 2:27 pm  

Barry_McKenzie wrote:

<snip>

Great Post. Your 24th effort on here is a real gem and I am tempted to use it as my sig......or maybe, print it off and use it as toilet paper
I agree with the dance thing, but the rest is just pure drivel.
I am a sports fan. I played Union untlil my body gave up, played GAA and Hurling for years, Basketball, baseball, cricket and even wendyball. I watch Harlequins Rugby League because I was dragged to a game in 2002 and was hooked immediately.
The British and Irish Lions are of interest to me and therefore, the opportunity to watch that game prior to getting tonked by Leeds was a good option. It also brought in a fair few Union fans who said they would be back, so it served its purpose.
Anzac day....another good idea. We got 6,000+ for the Manly game, so that goes to show there is an audience for the game...we just have to get the message across to the crims that they can come and enjoy a great day out.
Community day is a showcase of what we offer at TW2. Rugby league is a family sport and that day is designed to attract local families.
Dance day is a bad idea and one I do not agree with, but I refuse to b0ll0ck the club for trying something new.

Your post is obviously that of someone who has a chip on their shoulder about Union and absolutely no idea of the London sporting market.
I look forward to your future shi7e posts with baited breath.