OK I didn't want to post last night and be too knee jerk so I've left it til now.
Firstly, we've had a fans forum! So well done to all concerned with setting it up!
Continuing in a positive vein the season ticket details, and the possibiltiy to check out the seating and purchase an ST was available.
Membership and matchday ticket prices announced.
Although not mentioned the club have announced a new kit deal - kits etc. will be by Kappa, last time we've had a major brand since ? Puma at the Stoop.
OK first impressions of the ground - it's a shocker! I went with low expectations and had to lower them further still! Congratulations to the photographer on the Ealing RU webite for making the place look so good! The reality..... .I've been on board since the Valley so can't comment on places like Chiswick or Barnet Copthall, but this place is pretty dreadful! The major plus however is the new plastic pitch.
Apologies if I go a bit scattergun now - Trailfinders own the site, not the Union club.According to DH Trailfinders 'want' us there. 3 years initially but 5 or 7 years mentioned.
All club activity is moving to Ealing - 1st team, academy ,offices, new club shop, new community dept. A new gym is being built and there are grass pitches to train on ahead of away games.
According to DH, if we get back to SL the capacity of the ground will be increased to between 5,000 and 10,000. However DH was somewhat evasive when pressed by one supporter as to how the redevelopment will take place and what plan he has for it. Talk of a notion of us and Trailfinders 'growing ' together - whatever that means. FWIW I was surprised this ground was passed by the RFL as being fit for Championship level. That said my only experince of Championship grounds are Leigh and Bradford - I've no experience of the Cumbrian grounds for instance so I'll admit to not being that well placed to comment, just my opinion.
Hendo came across as very entusiastic and committed - maybe he's bought into the London idea in a big way, like Tony Rea did.? He said about improving the matchday experience, junior games , academy matches on the allweather pitch, kids activities, beer tent, BBQs. He acknowledged the fact that there is a 'lot of work to be done and that a lot of infrastructure has to be put in place'. Yup I thought that was a bit out of the 'No **** Sherlock file' but I suppose he felt it needed saying.
The M word was mentioned - marketing! Talk of creating relationships with local people, local businesses, schools - talk of players going into local schools to do coaching sessions , kind of stuff that used to be done years ago IIRC. IMO Ealing Broadway is a big , local town centre to target - shops, restaurants, pubs ( looked to be an Irish one opposite the station which would be the sort of place to show spots on TV) . There was talk of making a local pub a 'Broncos' pub - nearest I could see was the Duke of Kent ( 5-6 mins walk from ground)
Pre season friendlies - not sure if i caught this right but of the 3 games being planned there was mention of a game against an Indigenous XIII? Also mention of holding a game against the NRL sid ethat comes over for the WCC.
Coaching - Danny Ward to join Hendo on a full time basis . Rob Powell and another coach to be recruited to run the Academy.
Recruitment - some players to come, one or two couldn't be announced yet at the request of their clubs, full salary cap spend ( £1m).Hendo commented he thought Joey Grima undersetimated how difficult it would be to get out of the Championship. Promised fast, exiciting , hard rugby next season.
Wigan game was discussed - we've all got our views on it but I was disappointed to see that DH used it as an opportunity to have a dig at Ian Lenagan and also Tony Kleanthous - they may be what they are but they appear to be having greater success at running their sporting teams don't they David - I thought your comments, while getting a few laughs from the floor didn't exactly do you any favours!
There will be signage outside the ground announcing our presence and forthcoming fixtues . Noticed on my walk up from Ealing Broadway ( largely residential. took about 25 mins) that there were boards along Scotch Common announcing Ealing RU games - perhaps Broncos could use the same sites for posters too?
Matchday - seems to be set for Sunday but some backpedalling to indicate flexibility when told that the nearest BR station doesn't open on a Sunday.
U16S - will be admitted free. One attendee raised the prospect of how old the support is, hopefully this could help to address it. Just as an aside regarding croeds DH stated that crowds will grow as Ealing is 'a more sporting area'
Grandstand - issue raised about accessibiltiy to top tier for premium seats. No lift present so effectively means no access for the disabled or those with mobility issues to this part of the stand.
DH mentioned the possibility of Trailfinders coming on board as a sponsor
So, to conclude
If the team is successful on the pitch
If they can bring about the idea of a club in London rather than just a team
If they market and promote successfully
If they get the matchday experience right
If families come back
If the locals and wider community are engaged
The MAYBE, JUST MAYBE London Broncos could start the long road back again. I know we've heard a lot of this before so I'm taking it all with a rather large pinch of salt but that's my take on last night FWIW. Will beinteresting to see where we are in 12 months time!
That was just my unofficial take on the night, feel free to add to it ( or tear it apart!)
All the best,
Rob
