39 replies to this topic

[Errol Stock]

Surpised that I am the first to pop this on;

Robbie Paul back at Huddersfield

This is an appointment I would make too - if I was owner/chairman of my club..

Not too sure about the role he has been given - maybe PR is what I had in mind.

Wish him well in his new role - well done to Giants for stepping in - was kind of hoping he would come back to Bradford..

What do you Giants fans think?

[ArizonaRobin]

I am glad we are keeping him within the game. Not everyone wants to be or has the skills to be a coach, but our ex players, were qualified, need to be involved in my opinion. I will be very interested to see how he does in the business development role.

[Futtocks]

I reckon he'll do well. He's articulate, enthusiastic, media-friendly, open to new ideas and one of the most recognisable characters of recent years.

[longboard]

Whether or not this is a good appointment will depend on what business skills he has and those he develops. He has had his own business interests previously I believe. He has more of a media profile than most ex-players as well. He should be good at the glad handing side of things.

[Just Browny]

I think this is a really good appointment, he is a guy with the brains, the enthusiasm and the charisma that rugby league needs at every level.

[adelwire]

Really good appointment. Good luck Robbie.

[manofthematch]

I think this is a significent start for Robbie, an important appointment for the game. Mr Paul is well qualified and I believe this is just the start of more things to come from this gentleman.

[Dave T]

Doesn't Paul Sculthorpe have a Business Development role with Saints?

Good luck to RP and hopefully he will show others that there is life after playing if they take time to invest in furthering their education/business skills.

In terms of this role, well, Business Development can pretty much mean anything, but expect it to be a client facing sales role, and somebody like RP who has a pretty high profile through his BBC work as well as his on-field stuff, it could work really well.

[Cumbrian Fanatic]

Paul Sculthorpe is still involved with Saints in some capacity but I'm not sure what the exact role is.

Think its a great move by Huddersfield and that it would be well worth other clubs employing high profile former players, even if it is only on a part time basis as "meet and greet" roles for corporate clients in a similar vein to some football clubs. I'm sure this would help pull in more revenue

[Bulliac]

Doesn't Paul Sculthorpe have a Business Development role with Saints?

Good luck to RP and hopefully he will show others that there is life after playing if they take time to invest in furthering their education/business skills.

In terms of this role, well, Business Development can pretty much mean anything, but expect it to be a client facing sales role, and somebody like RP who has a pretty high profile through his BBC work as well as his on-field stuff, it could work really well.

I'd suspect that Robbie's role is more to get people on board with his personality, name and contacts. I'm sure Ken Davy has plenty of 'business savvy' people to take over when Robbie has worked his magic. If I'm honest I just wish the it was the Bulls who had signed him up, I think we've missed a trick here.

[Saint Toppy]

Doesn't Paul Sculthorpe have a Business Development role with Saints?

Yep Scully is the Business Development Manager and is being used very much as the 'public face' of the club.

When he retired he was offered a coaching position but turned it down as he has a young family and reckoned coaching would take up too much time. Although he did say he would consider going into coaching when his kids were older.

[TBC]

Robbie has been a familiar face at the Galpharm since he left as a player as Hudds uni, where he did his degree are a key partner at the Giants.

I reckon it's a good move with 2 objectives - growing the corporate side and more importantly getting to that elusive 10,000 average crowd. He'll need all his charm, charisma, business acumen and a Scottish type following wind. Good luck to him - I think he'll give it a good go.

[Padge]

I don't think he's been taken on for his business skills, though he may have some and in the role he may develop them, he's a well known face to have fronting your clubs marketing department, community department, whatever department.

He's a regular face on the BBC, he's a go to insider for opinions and he's a very talented all rounder.

[1976PMJwires]

Reading the posts I think Bulls have missed out......after all, Robbie Is a Bulls Legend.


Big well done to the Giants

[TBC]

I don't think he's been taken on for his business skills, though he may have some and in the role he may develop them, he's a well known face to have fronting your clubs marketing department, community department, whatever department.

He's a regular face on the BBC, he's a go to insider for opinions and he's a very talented all rounder.

I think that's fair comment. It's clear from his comments in the local rag here that he sees his strong points as his long 'athletic' career at the top of the game and his sports marketing education. He's looking forward to developing what business skill he has by working with the current team at the Giants. I think they'll learn a fair amount off each other to the benefit of the Giants as well as Rugby League in general.

[The Parksider]

He's looking forward to developing what business skill he has.......

Didn't he take on a pub close to Odsal at one time. I reckon he knows plenty about business as it's a tough game in the licensing trade and attracting people to "entertainment" venues is pretty much the same wether you want them to drink in your pub or spectate in your ground.....

[TBC]

Didn't he take on a pub close to Odsal at one time. I reckon he knows plenty about business as it's a tough game in the licensing trade and attracting people to "entertainment" venues is pretty much the same wether you want them to drink in your pub or spectate in your ground.....

I guess he also played for a club that was (is?) pretty good in the entertainment business so that will have rubbed off on him.

I keep thinking that the next season will be the 'breakthrough' for the Giants. i.e. getting a 10,000 average crowd and / or actually winning something of note. We have made a lot of little steps in recent years - maybe Robbie can push us over the line. It would be pretty special if we could celebrate the 50th anniversary of not winning either of the top 2 trophies by actually winning one of them.

I'm off to slap myself now for getting carried away again.

[The Parksider]

I guess he also played for a club that was (is?) pretty good in the entertainment business so that will have rubbed off on him.

I keep thinking that the next season will be the 'breakthrough' for the Giants. i.e. getting a 10,000 average crowd and / or actually winning something of note. We have made a lot of little steps in recent years - maybe Robbie can push us over the line. It would be pretty special if we could celebrate the 50th anniversary of not winning either of the top 2 trophies by actually winning one of them.

I'm off to slap myself now for getting carried away again.

It was a 25 year decline for the club since their last trophy, it'll be a 25 year climb back to the top I would have thought.

To win trophies you need to be signing the best overseas stars and bringing through the best youngsters. To attract a few thousand more fans you need to be able to compete with the top three more regularly, who do these things.

Some way to go but nice to se a famous old club back at the top end. Wakefield next?

[TBC]

It was a 25 year decline for the club since their last trophy, it'll be a 25 year climb back to the top I would have thought.
To win trophies you need to be signing the best overseas stars and bringing through the best youngsters. To attract a few thousand more fans you need to be able to compete with the top three more regularly, who do these things.

Some way to go but nice to se a famous old club back at the top end. Wakefield next?

When did the 25 years climb back start? It's a crucial question for me. The way my drinking's going I could be pushing up daisies before I see any silverware at the Giants.

[Wellsy4HullFC]

Huddersfield's average has actually gone down the last three years, and has plateaued between the 7k and 7.9k mark since 2007. They finished on 7,091 (only 4 better than 2007) after a high of 7,908 in 2009.

I hope people aren't suggesting Robbie Paul alone is going to increase crowds by 3k on average working in the back room? That's nearly a 50% increase in crowds.