7 replies to this topic

[Hornets Nest]

Although I totally agree that the Northern Rail Cup is totally pap, I wonder what the Sponsors of the competition think about clubs that come out and say they are not interested in it and will use the comp as pre season friendlies.

The kudos and value of the competition seems to be at an all time low with teams showing a slight interest if they reach the semi final stages, a bit like the smashed windscreen thing in football.

I remember Carling coming out a couple of years ago saying that unless the top Premiership sides stopped playing reserve teams then they would pull the plug.

Given that money is tight and attracting sponsors is extremely difficult, as Hornets have found out, perhaps we should all start to show the comp a touch more respect.

Even if supporters don’t like it perhaps the coaches and clubs should sound bite it better.

If I was the marketing manager at Northern Rail I know what I would be thinking given how many clubs think that it is an irritant.

[PooingDog]

Which clubs have said any of that?

[Hornets Nest]

Probably just about every club in Championship 1, if not publicly then privately - refer to 8th February Observer

[Pugwash]

Maybe Mark, if those bozos at Red Hall could smell what they're shovelling we might get round to playing the competition that we should be playing.

It's called Summer Rugby, yet we set out in the deepest part of winter and all the hard work the coaches do in conditioning and training players is all undone when the weather interrupts the pre-season warm-ups! What are coaches to do when they're faced with 25-30 players, no more chance of 'friendlies' and they have no idea what their starting 13 is?

Why don't we start in late March and play on until October? Our players aren't needed for the Tri-Nations? Why don't we play the Northern Rail Cup as a straight knockout so the litle clubs who have no chance can get three fewer paydays and fewer coach trips?

Unless you're in the top six of the Championship then the N.R. Cup is just a waste of time and if they want to drop it, let 'em, it won't take any money out of most clubs pockets. I can't imagine the Scorpions even at weekend bringing more than a bus full and Keighley won't fill the ground. Why have Hornets not had a decent home fixture yet in this comp? We haven't had a 'Fax, Oldham, Leigh, Widnes, at home but we get 'em away OK!

The truth of the matter is that Hornets get S.F.A. out of this comp and it costs us money to be in it because they only clubs who make anything are the finalists and those who get on the T.V., and that won't be us!!!

Come on Mark, you're talking about the guys who had a simple choice of who to settle on to sponsor Super League. BETFAIR who offered £750K/annum and Stobarts who offered &*^% ALL! An easy choice if you're not on drugs but the boys blunder managed to get that wrong.

Have you seen the lorries? They have even given SKY an advert , I wonder if that has been bought or they just chucked that in buck shee? We need to attract supporters to the games not to the pubs!!

You must have noticed, being in the Mayfieled set-up that there's a massive fixture hole in mid-season with all the games crowded in the beginning and end of the season. Players may get a bit miffed at not playing for ages and pack it in!

The top and bottom of it is that Red Hall are only interested in Super League and the sooner they get rid of the rest of us the better in their eyes.

I've said it before, I repeat it now, all that matters this season is a top four place in CC1 and if Northern Rail don't like it and want to take their ball home, let 'em!

Pugwash.

[Hornets Nest]

No cross purposes here Puggy I agree with all of those comments, as do most RL people outside Super League and the top clubs in the Championship.

[Anita Bath]

No cross purposes here Puggy I agree with all of those comments, as do most RL people outside Super League and the top clubs in the Championship.

Its a simple equation really, if the clubs expect to make more money from championship than from trains cup where are they going to put their efforts. Does anyone have figures for what the revenue (gate, concessions and sponsorship) was for last seasons trains cup games and how this compared to the costs? Why is it there in the first place - because there are not enough quality teams to make up two championship divisions that would generate a full season of fixtures and championship teams know they have NO chance of serious progression (or making money) in the Challenge Cup.

I am not sure whether the folks at RFL are incompetent or dont care or both but the clubs HAVE to accept some blame because they must have supported this venture - so it would be in their hands to scrap it.

[Pugwash]

Its a simple equation really, if the clubs expect to make more money from championship than from trains cup where are they going to put their efforts. Does anyone have figures for what the revenue (gate, concessions and sponsorship) was for last seasons trains cup games and how this compared to the costs? Why is it there in the first place - because there are not enough quality teams to make up two championship divisions that would generate a full season of fixtures and championship teams know they have NO chance of serious progression (or making money) in the Challenge Cup.

I am not sure whether the folks at RFL are incompetent or dont care or both but the clubs HAVE to accept some blame because they must have supported this venture - so it would be in their hands to scrap it.

I'm not sure how all this came about but it was extra sponsorship for us and anything was seen like a drop of water to a man dying of thirst. I don't think the clubs voted for this pre-league business as it costs a fortune and as I've said it brings nought but woe to most. Clubs were told that there was the possibility of T.V. coverage etc, however only the top sides ever see any of that side of it.

Pugwash.

[Hornets Nest]

Which clubs have said any of that?

Hornets in todays Observer