65 replies to this topic

[Mumby Magic]

I know it's early days, very early days, but a 3-0 record leaves the Quins top. It got me thinking back to when the Broncos finished 2nd to the Bulls when they won the 1997 SL title. London's crowds reached one of their highest averages of recent times but the team alas couldn't sustain the success long term and a 1999 C.Cup final appearance wasn't capitalised on.

Now a squad with more Englishman and Londoners in than ever before with, a young English coach at the helm leads the way at the top. Surely this is what we have wanted for a long time?

[The Parksider]

I know it's early days, very early days, but a 3-0 record leaves the Quins top. It got me thinking back to when the Broncos finished 2nd to the Bulls when they won the 1997 SL title. London's crowds reached one of their highest averages of recent times but the team alas couldn't sustain the success long term and a 1999 C.Cup final appearance wasn't capitalised on.

Now a squad with more Englishman and Londoners in than ever before with, a young English coach at the helm leads the way at the top. Surely this is what we have wanted for a long time?

It is, and it's one step forward in an area steeped in 100 years of RU tradition and a fanbase keen on RU and the double headers, derbies and sucess of their own clubs.

But you have to be realistic about people and their tastes and preferences.

Quins onfield success if ongoing isn't going to create large numbers of "conversions" of people who have their own game, and I can't see people in London who can't tell the difference betwen RU and RL because they don't care anyway sitting up and taking notice.

No different than the Eagles winning the RL cup in a soccer city.

Quins sustained success would help RL grow in London that bit "less slowly".

[Pottsy]

I'd agree unfortunately. It might make it easier to grab and sustain kids' interest when they visit the Stoop but I don't see it dragging in lots new punters. Most in London will be blissfully unaware of the club's existence and most who know the Quins name will associate it with the union side of the same name.

[EastLondonMike]

for quins to make a real impact they'd have to become a top 4 side and remain so for at least 4 or 5 years. This result will be lucky to get more than a paragraph in the London Metro or the London Evening Standard.

[Maximus Decimus]

I think it will make little difference aside from potentially awakening the interest of some of the fans who have drifted away over the years. I'm made up for them, I was worried when I saw their squad this year and thought if anything they could be wooden spooners. They've probably already won more games than Salford will on current form!

For me the biggest issue is the Quins brand. As was rightly pointed out, they are finally doing the things that most of us have wanted them to do for years. Team full of English and southern English at that, representing a pretty extensive amateur network. It seems odd that this is coinciding with their worst crowds as a Super League side. Long gone are the days when they were a false team of antipodeans.

They are totally overshadowed by Quins RU and I think any new fans can only be less than impressed by the small crowds and resulting atmosphere. Then of course you have the issue of awareness of the Quins being confused by Quins RU. Probably the only people that understand the difference are people that like Quins RU and many of these have animosity to RL. The small crowds to them confirm the inferiority of the sport.

This is a real issue for the game at the moment and I hope we can have a decent discussion on it without the usual suspects trying to make it into an argument over the existence of a London club in competition with northern clubs. Very few people want them scrapped altogether but many think there needs to be differences.

[Wellsy4HullFC]

Agree with what has already been said. It'll make little difference. Changing to Quins has been a terrible idea in the long run. I'd love to see a return to being the Broncos, and think that itself would see an increase (but only slightly) on it's own. If they are going to move/rebrand again, I wish they would take their time in doing it rather than being forced to rush it. They gave a stable base at the moment, but not one that is taking them places. They should be planning now what they want to do in the next few years to turn things around and looking at their options.

[deluded pom?]

they are going to move/rebrand again, I wish they would take their time in doing it rather than being forced to rush it. They gave a stable base at the moment, but not one that is taking them places. They should be planning now what they want to do in the next few years to turn things around and looking at their options.

Thhat's a whole thread rehash if ever there was one.

[Tonka]

Gut feeling is it would take sustained success to make a big difference, by which I really mean guaranteed top eight and challenging or in top four year on year. And some good cup runs.

Agree its a bit off topic but Quins brand confusion is a big factor for London and that impacts on success.

Edited by Tonka, 26 February 2011 - 01:21 PM.

[Maximus Decimus]

If a move or a rebrand is possible then in my opinion it is a must.

In RL we are often guilty of not sticking with things and I think this is going the opposite way to try and counter balance that opinion. However it is very unlikely to work. Almost anywhere else they would have their own identity and be able to actually build on something. The worry with Quins is that any good work they are doing is not being built on because they are essentially trapped.

[eminence]

If a move or a rebrand is possible then in my opinion it is a must.

In RL we are often guilty of not sticking with things and I think this is going the opposite way to try and counter balance that opinion. However it is very unlikely to work. Almost anywhere else they would have their own identity and be able to actually build on something. The worry with Quins is that any good work they are doing is not being built on because they are essentially trapped.

I think Quins RL owner David Hughes has basically alluded to this a couple of weeks ago.

[ParisSurtout]

Their crucial problem, whether as Quins or Broncos, has been lack of media attention. Without media attention there is no way to attract new fans.

James Murdoch could do something about that, but he seems unwilling to do so.

If only rugby league loving Lachlan would return to the fold!

[eminence]

James Murdoch could do something about that, but he seems unwilling to do so.

He should get BSkyB to buy the club and re-name it Sky London Rugby League.

[nadera78]

Unfortunate to say but the club could go out and sign a stack of players and win the superleague GF, but people in london would see the headlines, notice the name Harlequins and automatically assume it is RU. That is the fundamental problem we face in London with such a pitiful level of media coverage and general awareness.

In the short term though, it might encourage a few lapsed fans to give them another shot. But they'll need to follow it up with, minimum, a good performance and ideally a victory on Friday night. Otherwise it will all be for nothing.

[Bulletproof]

I know it's early days, very early days, but a 3-0 record leaves the Quins top. It got me thinking back to when the Broncos finished 2nd to the Bulls when they won the 1997 SL title. London's crowds reached one of their highest averages of recent times but the team alas couldn't sustain the success long term and a 1999 C.Cup final appearance wasn't capitalised on.

Now a squad with more Englishman and Londoners in than ever before with, a young English coach at the helm leads the way at the top. Surely this is what we have wanted for a long time?

Great post and in the battle to capture the hearts and minds of the UK surely a successful quins would be a great thing. I can't see them staying near the top but a good season for them would be very good for the game no doubt.

[thirteenthman]

I know it's early days, very early days, but a 3-0 record leaves the Quins top. It got me thinking back to when the Broncos finished 2nd to the Bulls when they won the 1997 SL title. London's crowds reached one of their highest averages of recent times but the team alas couldn't sustain the success long term and a 1999 C.Cup final appearance wasn't capitalised on.

Now a squad with more Englishman and Londoners in than ever before with, a young English coach at the helm leads the way at the top. Surely this is what we have wanted for a long time?

Agree completely with the last paragraph. As everyone else has pointed out, the club sharing a name with one of the most instantly recognisble Rugby Union clubs isn't helping. I also think the lack of investment in the club is a problem. David Hughes is doing a great job keeping the club going but obviously needs new investors to come and work alongside him. Selling the game in London is a full time job and needs a lot of investment. David Hughes on his own cannot fund it. But as shown by the crowds the club was getting in the early days of Super League, it's not an impossible job - it justs needs a lot more money putting into it than it's getting right now.

[shrek]

Sadly I don't think even a title/cup win would bring Harlequins the press attention they deserve, possibly me being cynical but I suspect the only way for them to get any sort of decent publicity they'd have to sign someone with a Gareth Thomas like profile.

That said, the BBC London Rugby League podcast is well worth a listen for anyone with even a passing interest in the game down south.

[Padge]

Sadly I don't think even a title/cup win would bring Harlequins the press attention they deserve, possibly me being cynical but I suspect the only way for them to get any sort of decent publicity they'd have to sign someone with a Gareth Thomas like profile.

That said, the BBC London Rugby League podcast is well worth a listen for anyone with even a passing interest in the game down south.

I met the BBC Radio London RL caller after the Challenge Cup last year, top bloke.

Edited by Padge, 26 February 2011 - 07:40 PM.

[Lounge Room Lizard]

Sadly in a city the size of London Quins need more than to be successful. A name change and a change of ground to the right area would probably do more than if Quins one SL or the Challenge Cup. Most people think of Harlequins as Union. The club need to get rid of this stupid name that does it no favours. Its good that Quins are doing well on the field. But they need to change things more of the field (Marketing, getting crowds of 5000 rather than getting 1800, Main Shirt Sponsor etc)rather than on it. I also would like to see the Sky money cut down to the heartland clubs and more money given to Quins/London RLFC. If we are going to have a London based team in SL then they need more help than they get. They are at a massive disadvantage as any player at the Quins needs way more money than say living in Yorkshire or Lancashire. Also they do way more travelling than the Heartland clubs and obviously costs more. The Heartland clubs only waste the SKY money on bringing in Aussies. Least Quins try and use British lads and a British coach. Glad they are top and hope they can least stay in the top 6.

[ShotgunGold]

All I'll say is that out of the thirty-two, yes 32!, boroughs of London, rugby league just had to plump for RICHMOND to host a top-flight team!

I mean it's like putting an Aviva Premiership team in St Helens!

[mick wilson]

for quins to make a real impact they'd have to become a top 4 side and remain so for at least 4 or 5 years. This result will be lucky to get more than a paragraph in the London Metro or the London Evening Standard.

Do the Quinns not ask to get better publicity from these media outlets, now it agreat time to do some positive articles on them.