Blind side johnny Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 (edited) I'm not against RL in London - in fact i would be delighted were it to succeed. My point is what is so talismanic about London? There are no pro RL clubs in Birmingham, Liverpool, Bristol etc but London is now regarded as a must-have for RL. I understand all of the original logic regarding the media base etc but cannot accept that having had a struggling pro RL club there has benefited the pro game. We are in danger of simply following a mantra as a logical reason why something has to be. I also accept the argument that the last Sky contract wouldn't have been as good without a London presence. So the challenge surely is to make the product so valuable to Sky that they wouldn't want to lose it London or not, rather than wring hands about whether they wiill offer enough next time around. I hope that there is a successful future for pro RL in London for next season and beyond but the arguments about why it must be are misguided. Edited August 19, 2010 by Blind side johnny Sport, amongst other things, is a dream-world offering escape from harsh reality and the disturbing prospect of change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burke Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 Interesting thread this, with some good points made. I take the point made about Cumbria but would note that Cumbia has had a long history of RL with many well established amateur clubs that thrive with or without a SL club. My concern is that the amateur clubs and junior RL set up in London will wither without a SL club in London. For what its worth, without doubt in my mind the RL / SL should some how force SL on Cumbria, not sure how it should be done but Cumbria is a hot bed of RL and it makes no sense for SL not to to be represented in Cumbria. Wellys4Hullfc, I take your point re the Crusaders model, but the rumours from Wales are equally concerning. I understand that that the Wrexham football club ` owners ` may be very concerned re their financial plight. They agreed to take on last years loss / debt from the South Wales operation, big mistake, was it reported at Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RP London Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 It seems that no-one here apart from me watched 'Boot 'n All' last night where Stevo said that he'd rung David Hughes yesterday afternoon and asked him if he could guarantee the Quins would be around in 2011 and he replied 'no'. Thing are looking more than a little grim in London now. yes i did see that but i also saw about 2 seconds later when john wells said that david hugh said he is looking forward to facing mcdermott next year.. I thikn the operative word in the whole stevo thing was "Quins"... stevo sensationalising something.. never.. i wouldnt be at all suprised to see no "Quins" but i would be suprised to see no london or south eastern team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chronicler of Chiswick Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 yes i did see that but i also saw about 2 seconds later when john wells said that david hugh said he is looking forward to facing mcdermott next year.. I thikn the operative word in the whole stevo thing was "Quins"... stevo sensationalising something.. never.. i wouldnt be at all suprised to see no "Quins" but i would be suprised to see no london or south eastern team. David Hughes's remark about facing Brian McDemott was made when BM's departure was announced, Stevo's conversation with him was shortly before 'Boots 'n All' was transmitted/recorded (don't know if it goes out live). Also the off camera real Stevo is an experienced RL journalist whom I don't see risking antagonising his source for a bit of sensationalising on a little watched programme. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RP London Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 David Hughes's remark about facing Brian McDemott was made when BM's departure was announced, Stevo's conversation with him was shortly before 'Boots 'n All' was transmitted/recorded (don't know if it goes out live). Also the off camera real Stevo is an experienced RL journalist whom I don't see risking antagonising his source for a bit of sensationalising on a little watched programme. as i said i think the operative word is "quins".. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westlondonfan Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 (edited) Why don't they use the Crusaders model? (OK, it's hardly a model, but here me out...) Move the franchise to another ground, and leave a semi-pro club in its wake. So if they move to Oxford, than Harlequins Rugby League could start again like South Wales Scorpions and build from there. It's a way to keep the interest that was generated (however small) and if there is potential, then no doubt it can grow from there. There doesn't need to be a pro club in London IMO. There needs to be one in the south to take advantage of the player development going on there, but it doesn't have to necessarily be IN London. I am getting the feeling that this may be the likely scenario. I hope not as I live not that far from the stoop. Maybe if they are going to move from the stoop they could move to a smaller football stadium in London? Edited August 19, 2010 by westlondonfan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingerjon Posted August 20, 2010 Share Posted August 20, 2010 Maybe if they are going to move from the stoop they could move to a smaller football stadium in London? See here Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life. (Terry Pratchett) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE RED ROOSTER Posted August 20, 2010 Share Posted August 20, 2010 IMO it's time for the RFL to ask Quins - what are your intentions ? To remain in Super League and apply for a licence post 2012 relocated / renamed or not To follow Gateshead's example and voluntarily drop to the Championship To fold as economically unviable The RFL also in view of David Hughes reputed Quote When the pinch comes the common people will turn out to be more intelligent than the clever ones. I certainly hope so. George Orwell You either own NFTs or women’s phone numbers but not both Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westlondonfan Posted August 20, 2010 Share Posted August 20, 2010 See here Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
getdownmonkeyman Posted August 20, 2010 Share Posted August 20, 2010 Does anybody know the reasoning behing leaving Brentford? From memory crowds, and success seemed pretty good there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE RED ROOSTER Posted August 20, 2010 Share Posted August 20, 2010 Does anybody know the reasoning behing leaving Brentford? From memory crowds, and success seemed pretty good there. In a nutshell, the rent paid to Brentford FC was causing the club to slowly bleed to death. In addition the club had to compensate the residents in the cramped streets around Griffin Park every time SKY turned up with their equipment because of the inconvienience. The deal from Harlequins RU was a three year rent free tenure at The Stoop on the proviso that the club adopted the name and colours of the Union team.(this did not extend to a share of matchday catering) If the club proved to be successful at the end of the three years the Union club would consider merging with the League club if it proved to be a financially viable entity in its own right that would not drain funds from the Union club. In 2008 The Union club board declined the option to purchase the League club. Since then the League club has paid a "commercial rent" for the use of the Stoop. This is also one undisclosed reason why only one or two stads are ever open - cost reduction as the whole ground does not have to be stewarded. In addition to the request from SKY to concentrate the spectators. Quote When the pinch comes the common people will turn out to be more intelligent than the clever ones. I certainly hope so. George Orwell You either own NFTs or women’s phone numbers but not both Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blind side johnny Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 IMO it's time for the RFL to ask Quins - what are your intentions ? To remain in Super League and apply for a licence post 2012 relocated / renamed or not To follow Gateshead's example and voluntarily drop to the Championship To fold as economically unviable The RFL also in view of David Hughes reputed Sport, amongst other things, is a dream-world offering escape from harsh reality and the disturbing prospect of change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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