Re: Gower - Going, going, gone? : Tue Jun 04, 2013 4:53 pm  

Although there are many self-interested/shortsighted/parochial fans of RL clubs who would like nothing more than the death of Super League in London it is in the best interest of the sport as a whole to keep us going. As has been pointed out again and again by various commentators both here and elsewhere it's never really been given the support it needed. It's so disenchanting to see what's happening to the club. They were a rudderless laughing stock when I started following last season and things certainly havent improved!
We all need each other in the South East - Broncos,Skolars,Stags. The 'lesser' two certainly need big bruv and the expanded player pool that can only come about from having a full time pro club in the region. Come on RL - get your heads out of your backsides before it's too late. If only an ounce of the effort (and,of course, oodles of cash) that has been put into Melbourne had been put into London then the sport as a whole would have a far bigger profile in the country as a whole. More media coverage. More sponsorship. etc etc Nah, who wants that?!

Re: Gower - Going, going, gone? : Tue Jun 04, 2013 5:16 pm  

Re Craig - thank you for your efforts, best wishes for the future. He was visibly less and less animated behind the sticks as the Wigan tries piled up. I suspect that game brought existing concerns to the surface and caused his seemingly inevitable departure.

Re Broncos. I expect liquidation when David Hughes walks, barring a new investor. The RFL just doesn't have the necessary funds to sub us huge amounts annually meaning Superleague is beyond us. Whilst a fan run club is possible at lower levels I fear the wide geographic spread of our fan base makes it unlikely. Several have posted about Skolars and Hemel but remember Oxford and even Gloucestershire are closer for some of our fans.

I just hope a southern presence in top level junior development can be maintained. With that there is always hope for the future and players for Championship teams. Without that player development will be a huge issue hindering the prospects of Southern RL for many a long year.

Re: Gower - Going, going, gone? : Tue Jun 04, 2013 5:34 pm  

Now confirmed on the Bronco's site. http://www.londonbroncosrl.com/news/498 ... a4k7ODbJMI

Now confirmed on the Bronco's site. http://www.londonbroncosrl.com/news/498 ... a4k7ODbJMI

Re: Gower - Going, going, gone? : Tue Jun 04, 2013 5:41 pm  

jaybs wrote:

and will those clubs ever go any further? I very much doubt it!

It's possible to talk about Sheffield as SL candidate. It could happen. But even if it doesn't, does it invalidate their existence? There are some heartland clubs that have never played in the top division in their entire history. It comes down whether you enjoy SL or RL.

Re: Gower - Going, going, gone? : Tue Jun 04, 2013 5:45 pm  

Sarf Essex Taff wrote:

Sheffield and Crusaders have the ability to bus in ready made good quality semi-pro players. A semi-pro Broncos won't (if full time pros aren't willing to move to London from the north, why should a semi pro?). A squad of local players not bolstered with Antipodeans would have to be found, assuming that all but a few of the youngsters go (and that includes many of the young London products who no doubt will want to stay full time).

I am yet to be convinced there is a player pool in the south for Broncos, Skolars and Hemel all to have competitive teams and such a pool will undoubtedly diminish as one of the first casualties of a move from pro to the semi-pro will be the Broncos academy set up. The death or demotion of the Broncos would undoubtedly impact negatively on the competitiveness of Skolars and Hemel too.

London RL these days is strong enough that Broncos would have no need to bus in players from the north. You only have to look at how good the Broncos academy is. But having said that Oxford managed to attract a lot of Oldham lads to play for them.

The player pool in the heartlands probably isn't going to get much stronger in the next 5 years but London's will. There will be enough players.

Re: Gower - Going, going, gone? : Tue Jun 04, 2013 5:48 pm  

Halfdan of t'wide embrace wrote:

Whilst a fan run club is possible at lower levels I fear the wide geographic spread of our fan base makes it unlikely. Several have posted about Skolars and Hemel but remember Oxford and even Gloucestershire are closer for some of our fans.

Some fans may be lost to other clubs but surely there are enough living somewhere near the Hive.

I just hope a southern presence in top level junior development can be maintained. With that there is always hope for the future and players for Championship teams. Without that player development will be a huge issue hindering the prospects of Southern RL for many a long year.

I suspect that it will.

Re: Gower - Going, going, gone? : Tue Jun 04, 2013 5:54 pm  

Once Kevin Naiqama hears from Gower's lips the quality of Tony Rea, and Gus McKay, and the size of the home ground attendances, he will have no interest in coming to London.

What kind of Australian player would want to come to London now? Only an overweight, lazy trainer who doesn't like to tackle much and thinks he can get away with all that on a good salary in London.

Re: Gower - Going, going, gone? : Tue Jun 04, 2013 5:56 pm  

Hedgehog King wrote:

London RL these days is strong enough that Broncos would have no need to bus in players from the north. You only have to look at how good the Broncos academy is. But having said that Oxford managed to attract a lot of Oldham lads to play for them.

The player pool in the heartlands probably isn't going to get much stronger in the next 5 years but London's will. There will be enough players.

How do you suggest those players are going to be developed without an academy?

Re: Gower - Going, going, gone? : Tue Jun 04, 2013 5:58 pm  

Hedgehog King wrote:

I suspect that it will.

Based on what? Who will be funding it?

Re: Gower - Going, going, gone? : Tue Jun 04, 2013 5:58 pm  

Sorry but I disagree about our junior development being ready to fully support Championship team.

The best Southern lads will move north or switch to RU for a living.

Our academy system is not yet churning out lots of lads who want to play Championship and are good enough to for all four southern teams - including us if we drop.

Oxford have recruited about 10 northern lads - the spine of the team. They also have about 20 southern lads. When they played North Wales about five of their the team had played less than 10 RL games. It's going to call for a bit of inginuity whilst the playing base down here develops but we are already a lot better off than we would have been five years ago.