: Wed Jun 10, 2009 10:22 am  

The kids have a great time The crowd get a bit of genuine entertainment. Get a decent amount of people through the gate on free tickets who might be tempted to return in future.

The kids have a genuine interest in the RUGBY too; these are the kids we should be focusing on. Although its a shame the South Stand has been knocked down. I reckon a youth teams day with 4 games going on at half time and attempting to fill half that stand at least would have been great

: Wed Jun 10, 2009 10:23 am  

Dave Lister wrote:

So, to conclude, parents won't bother going to matches anymore if their children don't like it.

And if you possibly disagree with this and believe that there are indeed many supporters who have kids but still go to the match and enjoy it, you are labelled a tool because you are not a parent yourself.

Right.

To confirm Mr Tool, and I am probably stating the bloomin obvious, but surely even you would accept that taking a teenager is somewhat different on every level than taking an under 8 - both families ?

I would suggest the match day experience is improved by not having additional stresses over and above whats on the field of play ! The idea of providing for the younger kids is one that would make the parents lives a lot easier and cheap, especially if you could come along as the clown I recognise that families are not the be all and end all of the Quins future but I would say they represent current and potential future fans, so please dont disregard their needs.

: Wed Jun 10, 2009 10:26 am  

Homer wrote:

Fook me mate are you being deliberately obtuse? I can forgive Gutters being a plank as he's old and set in his ways, but since youre acolytes started agreeing with you it's gone to your head [or lack of booze at the Student Uni now term time has finished]

YES simply put, the sprogs will always come first.

Listy......my daughter is all grown up now and before she was, I lived 20 yards from griffin park so if she did get bored, she could always go home. I have applauded the bouncy castle area in the players bar Homer....but I agree, I can be a bit of a Plank dometimes.....
Anyway.
I can't believe I about to say this but.........thank You Bob Crow and the RMT.

As I had to travel around the world today, just to get to work, I was forced to use the Overground Train Service that runs from Richmond, through Acton, accross North London and down to Stratford.

Now, given that we have an official after match party venue, the Redback in Acton (free bus there fron the stoop after the kings bar closes apparently), why don't we target commuters on this line. West Hampstead to Richmond is a 30 minute journey with another 3 mintes to TW2.
This would open up a whole load of areas that we currently don't target in any way at the moment.
Again, signage under the station names (on the route to Harlequins or something like that). There seemed to be very few on board adverts on the train today, so maybe a deal could be cut for those as well.

Again, if this is too expensive, then why not try this.

There is a pub right beside Acton Central station. Put up posters offering VENUE specific ticket offers (2-4-£10 Like our union brothers?), together with an event before the game at that venue?
Say, for example, Saturday week.
A BBQ, with a couple of the Hearts in attendance and a couple of the walking wounded. 2pm BBQ, couple of beers, then everyone on jump on the 16.24, arriving at Twickenham Station at 16.51. 10 Minute walk to the Stoop, plenty of time to soak up the atmosphere/more beer. Game, After match Kings bar party and Coach back to the redback/Acton.

Not saying this would work.....but if you get lucky with the weather and it gets the buy in from the pub, you may well see 30 people making the trip week 1. If it's run well, it grows....but it costs £0 to try it.

IF IT DID WORK.......replicate it at other station/pubs.

Just an idea............sorry it doesn't involve Kids

: Wed Jun 10, 2009 10:30 am  

PC Plum wrote:

To confirm Mr Tool, and I am probably stating the bloomin obvious, but surely even you would accept that taking a teenager is somewhat different on every level than taking an under 8 - both families ?

I would suggest the match day experience is improved by not having additional stresses over and above whats on the field of play ! The idea of providing for the younger kids is one that would make the parents lives a lot easier and cheap, especially if you could come along as the clown I recognise that families are not the be all and end all of the Quins future but I would say they represent current and potential future fans, so please dont disregard their needs.

Why the need for persistent insults? Struggling to get your point across?

Why are you comparing teenagers and under 8's? When I was an under 8 i'd go to the rugby regardless of my desire to attend.

: Wed Jun 10, 2009 10:37 am  

gutterfax wrote:

Now, given that we have an official after match party venue, the Redback in Acton (free bus there fron the stoop after the kings bar closes apparently),

?!

: Wed Jun 10, 2009 10:52 am  

Dave Lister wrote:

?!

Yep......after the Kings bar closes, there is apparently a free shuttle bus to Acton. Says so in the last two programmes with full page ads

Just a thought, but:
Station Time to TW2 Pub Dist from Station
Richmond Station 6 minutes The Sun 50 mtrs
Kew Gardens 4+6 minutes The Railway 0 mtrs
Gunnersbury 7 + 6 Mins The JB 10 mtrs
South Acton 11 + 6 mins The Swan 200 mtrs
Acton Central 15 + 6 The Station House 0 mtrs
Wilsden Junction 19 + 6 The Sportsmans 150 Kensal Green 22 + The Masons Arms 30 mtrs

so....7 conversations with 7 publicans. If it worked with 30people from each pub....210 new fans, enjoying a day out with their mates who may well make the Harlequins Express their fortnightly sports event during the summer??????

: Wed Jun 10, 2009 11:07 am  

Are they all on 1 line GF?

: Wed Jun 10, 2009 11:16 am  

Dave Lister wrote: Are they all on 1 line GF? yep.... the London Overground route to Stratford from Richmond. timetable Other routes could be explored if this were to prove popular. Matbe a bit OTT targetting 7 stops on one line to start with. Maybe just the Acton Central one to see what happens? If the club were to offer £5 tickets, with a draw for a signed shirt (if £30 tickets were sold), I would happily spend a few hours there during the week promoting it Seriously, there are a fair few australians living in that area....why not suck it and see?

Dave Lister wrote: Are they all on 1 line GF? yep.... the London Overground route to Stratford from Richmond. timetable Other routes could be explored if this were to prove popular. Matbe a bit OTT targetting 7 stops on one line to start with. Maybe just the Acton Central one to see what happens? If the club were to offer £5 tickets, with a draw for a signed shirt (if £30 tickets were sold), I would happily spend a few hours there during the week promoting it Seriously, there are a fair few australians living in that area....why not suck it and see?

: Wed Jun 10, 2009 11:26 am  

Some delightful establishments there

: Wed Jun 10, 2009 11:35 am  

so why not try it along with the kids idea rather than instead of, two idea for the price of one and everyone is happy. Both good ideas for different reasons with different target audiences