Re: Story in Guardian today : Sun Jun 19, 2011 9:24 am  

The Sunday Times today say Quins RL will change their name next year.

Re: Story in Guardian today : Sun Jun 19, 2011 9:25 am  

Given we've been at the Twickenham Stoop for nine years and nearly one third of our existence as a club (1997-1999, 2006-2011) I see nothing wrong with Harlequins. It's as close to home as we have got and as good a name as any. I think it is telling the fact that there is no consensus on what we should renamed to anyway…

A few things I thought were important, but I'm sure people will disagree:

1. The enormous amount of good community work the club has done since 2006 has all been done under the banner of Quins (and more recently the foundation). Like it or not, by disassociating ourselves from Quins we indirectly disassociate ourselves from that as well.

2. As far as I can see the Quins club have been very good to us and seen very little in return. We can use the ground for the whole season and not just when the pitch isn't being reseeded, they have our merchandise in the club shops, old shirts, photos is on display in the bar etc. It seems like a bit of a snub to them to change the name on a whim. Maybe some people don't care (and yes I know we pay rent now) but I think it would be foolish to take the other things things for granted.

3. The club struggles with resources (money, staff) to do the things it wants to do today. To do any rebranding well is very resource intensive. And I'd suggest a poor use of them. I'd rather the money and staffs time were spent on other initiatives.

4. Minor point: all the best wins (yes there have been some) as Harlequins have been achieved with mainly British squads featuring a number of local players.

When we went 4th in the league half way through the 2009 season I don't recall too many people complaining about associating with the Harlequins brand back then. Nor for that matter do I remember many people complaining about associating with Harlequins when Chad Randall dived over to bring up the forty yesterday either.

Being called Harlequins is the least of our problems as far as I can see.

Re: Story in Guardian today : Sun Jun 19, 2011 9:42 am  

I would like everyone to read the above post by PTB. I'd like them to read it, and then read it again. Because he's absolutely spot on and he's articulated the feelings of myself and a number of others I know far better than I could.

I will geniunely be very frustrated if we change our name and location. I just don't believe change for change's sake is the right move.

Re: Story in Guardian today : Sun Jun 19, 2011 10:44 am  

I hope beyond hope we change our name to anything but Harlequins. It will be a great day when I can be proud to say the name of the RL club I support again. I HATE sharing a union club's identity. Please do it Mr Hughes.

Re: Story in Guardian today : Sun Jun 19, 2011 10:47 am  

I am not calling for a move from The Stoop, but one day we must aim for sharing a ground we part own! but No Way can I accept we keep the Quins name is killing us off and does us no favours, okay the on the field performances are what are vital to get right first, but IF money is going to be really spent to try and ensure we take off and brining in some serious signings how ever well articulated a opinion may be the name retention of Quins for me is a Non Negotiable Option! the quicker we rid ourselves of it the better.

Re: Story in Guardian today : Sun Jun 19, 2011 10:51 am  

The Penguin wrote:

I would like everyone to read the above post by PTB. I'd like them to read it, and then read it again. Because he's absolutely spot on and he's articulated the feelings of myself and a number of others I know far better than I could.

I will genuinely be very frustrated if we change our name and location. I just don't believe change for change's sake is the right move.

Couldn't agree more. Exactly what I've been trying to say myself in other, earlier posts. Well said, PTB.

Re: Story in Guardian today : Sun Jun 19, 2011 11:04 am  

It's even on the club website so must be true no more rah rah identity

Re: Story in Guardian today : Sun Jun 19, 2011 11:29 am  

We went in with Quins RU when they were a second tier union club with a view to merger. Since then the commercial success of RU has left us far behind and the merger is off, we are a tennant using the name on the door with no say in the brand.

We desperately need another body supporting us financially as well as David Hughes, otherwise at some point soon we are extinct. The only possibles I can think of are another millionaire, a local authority wanting to attract some business into their stadium/area, a football club wanting a partner not in football, or the RFL protecting their sky money with a southern club. None of these contributors will put any money into a brand owned by somebody else! I see the name change as a commercial necessity.

I love the Stoop as the best ground for club rugby inside the M25 and I am quite fond of Rugby Union as a game as well. Good luck to Quins RU and I hope they understand our problems.

Re: Story in Guardian today : Sun Jun 19, 2011 5:19 pm  

Not only do we have the fewest fans but some of the stupidest.

Let's get one thing clear. We had no choice. We went bust.
We had two options available to us. VCA which was rejected or fold. We folded and only came back cuz a man with more vision than any one we've ever employed thought there could be merit in a dual code club. That it failed is not something to be proud of but just shows how narrow minded some of our fans are. They'd rather no RL than any RL.

I can see why we are looking at moving - it hasnt worked here. Will another move undermine all the work put in by the community club? Yes. Who will benefit from it if we move. Most likely Quins ru. Was this why the agreed to us moving in rent free, quite obviously.

Nothing would have made me more proud than to have seen Sykes score the win ing try at wembley and rip off his Quins top to reveal a bronco jersey an have him kiss the badge.

We've failed as Fulham crusaders and broncos so no surprise to see us failing as Quins. But for those who have stayed away. I hope youre happy that you keep RL in London the embarassment it is.

Re: Story in Guardian today : Sun Jun 19, 2011 6:14 pm  

Darthchris wrote:

I can see why we are looking at moving - it hasnt worked here.

Apparently we're only allowed to spend maximum five years in any one guise before supporters decide its time we try something else and move on.