75 replies to this topic

[Shizonamy]

I appreciate the fact that the website may be run possibly Part-time but a high percentage of information is non-relevent.

It'd be good to have a list of recent squad players, but surely we can now be adding the updates to the site, fixtures are moreless known give or take a friendly so they should be there too. Admission prices and a map to get to the Willows would also be a useful addition.

Now to the crux of the matter, the merchanside issue, how do we ever expect to advertise and increase revenue streams without an online selling presence. The best way salford are advertised replica shirts and replica clothing, you only have to go to the Trafford Centre and you'll see a Pink. I know I mentioned this in a topic before but I wanted to get some Lions gear for Xmas presents only to be told that the site is down for maintenance, and as for the virtual dust I think it's virtually obvious that the site is a joke.

I reckon if 100 Lions fans spent 20GBP each that's 2000GBP we've lost!!!!! And that's probably the minimum.
So Lions website moderator/manager please get this info from the club and Kidd's start pushing us into the 21st century!!!!!

[juliancaine]

riggy will ask the very same question about the website at the meeting wed in answer to a post i made , if no credible answers are forthcoming from the club about getting merchendise available online in the run up to xmas then they dont deserve my custom, in these tough financial times it beggars belief that the online sales isnt up and running, i know the rl are trying to get clubs like ours to go amatuer in status but we dont need to give them amunition and act like it do we, COME ON SWINTON RLFC BOSSES ACT PROFFESIONAL FOR ONCE.


ps many moons ago i did offer on a posting to help out with the website voluntarily as i no longer work and have plenty of time on my hands but no body even bothered to contact me.

Edited by juliancaine, 13 December 2010 - 03:39 PM.

[Shizonamy]

Still no update on the e-store, the website still showing last years squad advertising the availibility of the 2010 kit, last seasons fixtures, coaching line-ups wrong.................

John Kidd waxes lyrical about increasing revenue streams by getting more fans through the gate, well if merchandise was available we could offset the shortfall, having the kit ready for Xmas then only bringing a few to the meeting was a bit unprofessional to say the least. Having the facility on the website (easily done through paypal) would have I'm convinced sold at least 50 shirts for Christmas!

We need to update the website badly, it doesn't look good to prospective sponsors, look at Halifax's, Leigh's or Salford's for a well presented site.

C'mon whoever is in charge, it needs doing!

[PhillH]

Still no update on the e-store, the website still showing last years squad advertising the availibility of the 2010 kit, last seasons fixtures, coaching line-ups wrong.................

John Kidd waxes lyrical about increasing revenue streams by getting more fans through the gate, well if merchandise was available we could offset the shortfall, having the kit ready for Xmas then only bringing a few to the meeting was a bit unprofessional to say the least. Having the facility on the website (easily done through paypal) would have I'm convinced sold at least 50 shirts for Christmas!

We need to update the website badly, it doesn't look good to prospective sponsors, look at Halifax's, Leigh's or Salford's for a well presented site.

C'mon whoever is in charge, it needs doing!

Hear, hear.

"New 2010 Kit" should not be the first message to strike the eye at this point in time!! Very poor.

It would be an insult to amateur clubs to call the state of the website amateurish. Evidenced by http://www.leighminersrangers.net/ which runs rings around the Lions site.

[Blue Monkey]

Still no update on the e-store, the website still showing last years squad advertising the availibility of the 2010 kit, last seasons fixtures, coaching line-ups wrong.................

John Kidd waxes lyrical about increasing revenue streams by getting more fans through the gate, well if merchandise was available we could offset the shortfall, having the kit ready for Xmas then only bringing a few to the meeting was a bit unprofessional to say the least. Having the facility on the website (easily done through paypal) would have I'm convinced sold at least 50 shirts for Christmas!

We need to update the website badly, it doesn't look good to prospective sponsors, look at Halifax's, Leigh's or Salford's for a well presented site.

C'mon whoever is in charge, it needs doing!

We ALL totally agree. It's an ABSOLUTE and UTTER SHAMBLES!!! Any half decent organisation would hang its head in SHAME!!!

[marshy1]

We ALL totally agree. It's an ABSOLUTE and UTTER SHAMBLES!!! Any half decent organisation would hang its head in SHAME!!!

I do agree that it would be useful to have the website running on a much better footing, but personally i am more interested in seeing the Lions playing quality rugby.

Shirts were readily available this year and indeed i picked two up from the club after ordering them at the Clifton launch and being promised they would be available the following Tuesday, which they were.

As for other merchandise it will always be a tough choice when suppliers want bulk orders and the money upfront, the club can't afford to have unsold stock and money tied up in it.

Roll on match days and getting back to talking about rugby matters.

[lions4eva]

I do agree that it would be useful to have the website running on a much better footing, but personally i am more interested in seeing the Lions playing quality rugby.

Shirts were readily available this year and indeed i picked two up from the club after ordering them at the Clifton launch and being promised they would be available the following Tuesday, which they were.

As for other merchandise it will always be a tough choice when suppliers want bulk orders and the money upfront, the club can't afford to have unsold stock and money tied up in it.

Roll on match days and getting back to talking about rugby matters.

Well Said.

[Shizonamy]

Think the whole point is being side-stepped here, we need these revenue streams to exist to survive and more the club forward, first impressions are paramount and the website is just that. At the very least we should update the website or remove items that aren't current, the fixtures should at bare minimum be there!!!

[PhillH]

I do agree that it would be useful to have the website running on a much better footing, but personally i am more interested in seeing the Lions playing quality rugby.

Shirts were readily available this year and indeed i picked two up from the club after ordering them at the Clifton launch and being promised they would be available the following Tuesday, which they were.

As for other merchandise it will always be a tough choice when suppliers want bulk orders and the money upfront, the club can't afford to have unsold stock and money tied up in it.

Roll on match days and getting back to talking about rugby matters.

So if you cannot defend the indefensible, the answer is to try and sidestep the issue.

I've yet to find the RFL's ruling that you cannot have a strong side AND a strong website. Not to mention a community development programme, a strong commercial arm, a proper marketing function.

If the team does achieve good results as we all hope for in 2011, many potential new supporters / sponsors / media will turn to the website as their first "face to face" encounter with the club. With the website in its current condition, they will be far from impressed and unlikely to take their interest any further.

In one way the club is fortunate at the moment to have John Kidd's money to meet the difference between its core income streams and the wage bill. The irony being that the gap in funding could be significantly closed if only the club was better at the off-field dimensions of its business. Too many times to mention we have seen partner organisations and backers walk away from the club because key relationships have not been sustained. It seems we can now add Red Sentinel to the list.

The website is an embarrasment and will be damaging the club every day that it stays so poor.

[marshy1]

So if you cannot defend the indefensible, the answer is to try and sidestep the issue.

I've yet to find the RFL's ruling that you cannot have a strong side AND a strong website. Not to mention a community development programme, a strong commercial arm, a proper marketing function.

If the team does achieve good results as we all hope for in 2011, many potential new supporters / sponsors / media will turn to the website as their first "face to face" encounter with the club. With the website in its current condition, they will be far from impressed and unlikely to take their interest any further.

In one way the club is fortunate at the moment to have John Kidd's money to meet the difference between its core income streams and the wage bill. The irony being that the gap in funding could be significantly closed if only the club was better at the off-field dimensions of its business. Too many times to mention we have seen partner organisations and backers walk away from the club because key relationships have not been sustained. It seems we can now add Red Sentinel to the list.

The website is an embarrasment and will be damaging the club every day that it stays so poor.

I don't buy into the idea that the club has to have an all singing all dancing website to satisfy potential sponsors,after all look at Woolworth, what good did there web site do them and there are plenty more similar companies who are no longer with us.
The best advertising Swinton can have is a team thats being talked about,is playing good rugby and is top of thye league.

Just how much extra revenue do you think a website will bring in.?

Notwithstanding that i do agree that if we have a basic package then the information should be updated but i ain't going to loose any sleep over it because when i go to the games i get all the updates i need.!!

[Shizonamy]

I don't buy into the idea that the club has to have an all singing all dancing website to satisfy potential sponsors,after all look at Woolworth, what good did there web site do them and there are plenty more similar companies who are no longer with us.
The best advertising Swinton can have is a team thats being talked about,is playing good rugby and is top of thye league.

Just how much extra revenue do you think a website will bring in.?

Notwithstanding that i do agree that if we have a basic package then the information should be updated but i ain't going to loose any sleep over it because when i go to the games i get all the updates i need.!!

I think Woolies are still going all be it as an online store, so their website has kept the virtual company afloat. The Trafford Centre killed off most business like Woolies that failed to evolve as they offered nothing new, and the fees that you had to pay on Swinton Precinct was also detriment to it's existance.

Anyway I take the point you say about a winning team etc, but there is no better way of imparting information than the internet these days, we are getting good coverage in the Advertiser so I feel this would be the only source off valuable non-online media for free.

Special deals for season tickets, family deals etc could all be sold on the website with a few clicks of a button.

I see the website is now showing a new one for 2011 is under contruction, that's only one of two things that should have been done, the other will be get it up and running asap.

[lions4eva]

Even if the website had been flawless the past 4/5 years, do you honestly think that more fans would have rumbled through the gates? Marshy is 100% bob on. Yes, it would help in some areas, but by winning on the field, getting promotion, we have more chance of getting 1000+ onto the Willows. Fact.

[mark richardson]

I would imagine if we had an on line store it would be run in such an ad-hoc fashion because the numbers of orders would be so low the forum would be full of complaints about customer service.
This last season the website started off well because the optimism around the club was high. The experimental coaching set up failed and the website wained in similar fashion.
Maybe this year it will start off again soon in a more professional way and the momentum created by a successful team will carry through to all aspects of the club.
I dont think the website will put anybody off coming to a match because to be honest non-attenders will always find an excuse. The on field success of the club will be the main reason most new fans will come.

[LOYALION]

I don't buy into the idea that the club has to have an all singing all dancing website to satisfy potential sponsors,after all look at Woolworth, what good did there web site do them and there are plenty more similar companies who are no longer with us.
The best advertising Swinton can have is a team thats being talked about,is playing good rugby and is top of thye league.

Just how much extra revenue do you think a website will bring in.?

Notwithstanding that i do agree that if we have a basic package then the information should be updated but i ain't going to loose any sleep over it because when i go to the games i get all the updates i need.!!

Even if the website had been flawless the past 4/5 years, do you honestly think that more fans would have rumbled through the gates? Marshy is 100% bob on. Yes, it would help in some areas, but by winning on the field, getting promotion, we have more chance of getting 1000+ onto the Willows. Fact.

Sorry but what utter tosh is that?
If it's so irrelevant then why have a website at all, we could just keep people informed on here by rumour and wishful thinking.
Isnt that what we need to do away with? We need facts from the club and an up to date official source of reference supplied by the club.
If not then get rid of it as you would a withered arm.
Success on the field is paramount but info gained on the terrace can end up as chinese whispers and unobtainable to those who do not or cannot attend (lionfanusa and others take note).

Just get to grips and get it sorted! Simples!

[duffymoon]

Sorry but what utter tosh is that?
If it's so irrelevant then why have a website at all, we could just keep people informed on here by rumour and wishful thinking.
Isnt that what we need to do away with? We need facts from the club and an up to date official source of reference supplied by the club.
If not then get rid of it as you would a withered arm.
Success on the field is paramount but info gained on the terrace can end up as chinese whispers and unobtainable to those who do not or cannot attend (lionfanusa and others take note).

Just get to grips and get it sorted! Simples!

Yes got to agree with that! its about being professional.Its like having absolutely nothing outside the club office in Walkden that mentions Swinton Lions.

[lionsfanusa]

Sorry but what utter tosh is that?
If it's so irrelevant then why have a website at all, we could just keep people informed on here by rumour and wishful thinking.
Isnt that what we need to do away with? We need facts from the club and an up to date official source of reference supplied by the club.
If not then get rid of it as you would a withered arm.
Success on the field is paramount but info gained on the terrace can end up as chinese whispers and unobtainable to those who do not or cannot attend (lionfanusa and others take note).

Just get to grips and get it sorted! Simples!

I agree 100%. I rely on this and the official web site for all my information. To give an example, I'm expecting to be in the UK on business early in the year. If I rely on the club site there is no way to know which weekend to be over so as to see a match. I got that info from this site courtesy of an obliging poster. Same with the meeting in Dec. Another example: I noticed that the squad numbers were posted but shirt sponsors were not.

I may not get to attend matches very often but I support the club the best I can from afar. I think I deserve some info from time to time.

I really appreciate all you local guys helping get the info out to those of us outside the Salford Advertiser's circulation area!

That said, 2011 looks more promising on paper than recent years and I'm saving some airline miles just in case I need to make a special trip for a Final later in the year!

Happy New Year to Lions fans wherever they are!

[PhillH]

I don't buy into the idea that the club has to have an all singing all dancing website to satisfy potential sponsors,after all look at Woolworth, what good did there web site do them and there are plenty more similar companies who are no longer with us.

How utterly ironic that the only reason why Woolworths is still in business is because of http://www.woolworths.co.uk

Hoh Hoh Hoh!

[mark richardson]

How utterly pathetic an attempt at points scoring is your post Phil?

[marshy1]

How utterly ironic that the only reason why Woolworths is still in business is because of http://www.woolworths.co.uk

Hoh Hoh Hoh!

I think you will find that the original Wollies, went into administration and the on line company is indeed a new company using the old trade name.

In any case it was after all an example there are many more to choose from.

See you at the Willows Phil on the 21st.

Oh and Happy New Year by the way.

[Jonty]

A Twitter or Facebook presence would be a start, given the absence of the website. I get most of my Swinton news from Duffymoon's status updates on FB!

To give an idea of how important a website is, I remember a few years ago (maybe around 2002) reading an interview in The Guardian. It was with a senior manager from Yahoo - Head of Communications or similar I think. The first question put to him was "What is the first website you visit in the morning?". His answer?

"Swinton Lions RLFC. They're the club I grew up supporting, and I like to stay in touch with how they are doing."

The club, by my reckoning, has a huge untapped fanbase. Not just the stay-at-home fans in M27 and neighbouring districts, but those that have gone on to live and work elsewhere. Two distinct groups of course. How many fans refuse to go to games, for whatever reason (often justified IMO), but tune in to GMR, check Teletext etc. on a Sunday? For many of these the website is vital, and could be the difference between them coming to match or stopping at home.

Likewise for the exiled fans, many of whom, like the person whose name I cannot remember in the Guardian interview, are potentially influential. How many clubs at CC1 level can boats a cross section of fans that includes a recently retired MP, a national broadsheet editor, a senior European trades union official, a 5Live regular etc.

Not many. I'm sure many of these people, along with other exiled Lions, like LionsFanUSA, would appreciate a decent website or social network presence.