Re: Story in Guardian today : Fri Jun 17, 2011 9:29 pm  

rupe1 wrote:

The missing thousands will return.

I wish I believed that but I really don't see any evidence to back that statement. I'm sure a small number of fans will return, probably cancelled out by the loss of some of those from Quins RU who now watch us but won't want to watch a team by another name. Realistically many of those who have drifted away now do other things on summer weekends. It'll be difficult to get them back now, it's been too long in many cases. Any net gain won't be significant purely on the basis of a name change.

Personally I'll miss the Quins name, I've enjoyed being a Quin and have no great desire to return to the Broncos name, though I watched the Broncos for longer than the Quins have been around. However if David Hughes thinks this will help cut his losses I don't blame him for doing it at all.

Re: Story in Guardian today : Fri Jun 17, 2011 9:53 pm  

Without wishing to get into a slanging match with anyone, I really hope there's something in this story. I've hated us being saddled with the Harlequins name and colours, and have viewed them as 'flags of convenience'. I know full well the circumstances of us becoming Harlequins, London Broncos had basically gone bust, but I never felt that becoming Harlequins RL was ever going to be a solution to our problems. I never believed that a significant number of RU fans would buy into it. It hasn't helped that the change has coincided with a season on season decline, and this season with as bad a losing streaK as I can remember. I'm not saying that all was rosy as Broncos but a return to an identity that is 'ours' as opposed to borrowing that of a Union club can't be a bad thing surely? Relatively speaking we had a fair old bit of success on the pitch as London Broncos. A chance to relaunch, re brand etc... could do us some good. Let's face it we're going nowhere at the moment. Maybe if the first season back at the Stoop had been a success, maybe if the 8,000 gate for the first home match against Saints had been built on, maybe if me Aunt Fanny had a........
But most of all maybe its time to admit that being Harlequins RL hasn't really worked on or off the pitch (with the notable exception of youth development) and to try something else!

Re: Story in Guardian today : Fri Jun 17, 2011 10:00 pm  

Just compare our side against St Helens that day with the lot turning out tomorrow....

Re: Story in Guardian today : Fri Jun 17, 2011 10:08 pm  

I'm pretty sure there will be something in this, David Hughes has already been quoted musing on exactly the same subject this season. To be honest, I don't believe we ever really established an identity for ourselves as Broncos. The name recognition surveys the club used to run generally came back with pretty depressing recognition rates whilst our players often seemed to tell tales of being asked about ice hockey or American football by people who thought that was what they played.

I'm not a great fan of the modern naming trends and have to say I us think Broncos was one of the worst as it has no real relevance to the area at all. (Blue Sox was far worse mind.) As for the comment that the move to Quins hasn't really worked out, well I don't think anyone can seriously disagree with that sadly, we wouldn't even be thinking of changing names again if it had.

A rebrand and relaunch certainly could help but generally that sort of thing takes money (and marketing) to capitalise on. I'd rather we spent the money on a better squad for next season as I firmly believe it is what we are doing on the pitch next season that holds the key to crowd levels / our future not whether we are called Quins or Broncos.

Re: Story in Guardian today : Sat Jun 18, 2011 1:00 am  

rupe1 wrote:

The missing thousands will return.

Welcome back
Average attendances at TW2 since 2006 are 23 people per game less than they were at Griffin Park.

Re: Story in Guardian today : Sat Jun 18, 2011 6:33 am  

Dave Lister wrote:

Already touched on in another thread but well warrants one of its own. I don't see any interesting developments in that story whatsoever. Pure speculation.

Surely it can only be speculation from the journalist as it is the club are contemplating, or more accurately in a serious process of consideration on the name of club and other things. This seems to be more about testing the water on things and getting the brand awareness out to a few more sports fans. When it is a press announcement then it stops being speculation.

Re: Story in Guardian today : Sat Jun 18, 2011 8:35 am  

The sooner we drop the name of Quins RL the better! it is not about individual persons and opinions! it was the biggest mistake we have made in 30 years and I admit I backed it I thought it would work.

This is not just speculation on behalf of Andy as a journalist for me and it does say more investment for players from David Hughes, I have not backed all David's decisions but you can't fault the Guy, he deserves a OBE/MBE for services to Rugby League he has invested more personal monies than most or any Northern Chairman could even muster together!

Re: Story in Guardian today : Sat Jun 18, 2011 9:27 am  

It doesn't matter what you call them or where they play, if the product on the field is as unattractive and uninspiring as it is at the moment, then no one will want to know anyway.

Re: Story in Guardian today : Sat Jun 18, 2011 9:43 am  

PC Plum wrote:

It doesn't matter what you call them or where they play, if the product on the field is as unattractive and uninspiring as it is at the moment, then no one will want to know anyway.

I completely agree. I'd love to see the word "London" in the team name, so it has a city wide recognition...but we did that with the Broncos and still struggled with fans and the ability to bring in quality players.

Restarting will only work if it is done with some serious thought and money behind it. The RFL would need to pump cash into it so that all of London would know about it - papers, magazines, bill boards...the works! Otherwise it'll just follow the same tried and tested failed path that we've seen over the last 30 years. Without a successful launch we may as well drop from SL...as other teams fans would have a field day at our expense!

Will watch this develop with interest.

Re: Story in Guardian today : Sat Jun 18, 2011 10:32 am  

A super league club in London needs to have their own idenity and own their ground or at least have 50% ownership of it. At the moment Harlequins RL has neither. Even a 50% lease of a ground would be better than they have now. Even with this for the gates to rise after the honeymoon period the team would have to be reasonably successful.
I still think at the end of the day a Super League club in London will have to share with soccer club, and keep all the profit they make from bar and food sales, and not have to share it share it with a 3rd party.