65 replies to this topic

[marshy1]

"PS There is hard fact behind all my postings on this string"

The second last paragraph of your post you are actually making a personal guess as to why we have played so poorly in the last two games, they arn't hard facts, just your opinion.

I do however agree that this continual merry go round of players leaving clubs after one season is crazy, how can players feel they are part of a "club" and buy into aspects of that club, in Swintons case a new ground and all that may lead to.

Incidentally talk amongst a group of spectators yesterday was that the ground is indeed a done deal.

[PhillH]

I can appreciate your concern about the ground and the affect it has on attendances but to attribute last seasons attendances to playing closer to "home" seems a bit narrow sited. How much of the attendances last season were down to good rugby and most importantly a successful team. Surely the effect of a championship winning side was more influential than you are crediting and even the Salford fans that swelled last seasons numbers came to watch good rugby. With or without a home ground we will struggle to attract new people to the package if we play like yesterday. I nearly made the mistake of taking my nephew for the first time....

Yes, but to maximise the money it can sustainably generate to attract and retain quality players the club first and foremost needs a fit-for-purpose home base.

Its not possible to make the most of what on-field success does come when there is no stability of home venue from one year to the next.

[Bryce]

I agree with a lot of what you say Phill. But saying that the performance was anything to do with financial trouble is pure speculation on your part.

I'm not sure your reason behind the increase in attendance is valid. We're playing better supported teams through merit, and the fact is, the average attendance is up, and will continue to go up (allbeit due to the "home" game against Leigh on the last day of the season, and no doubt another decent crowd against Keighley next week).

We do need some consistency where players are concerned though!

[Blakemore]

i wonder how much of the % attendance has gone up due to away fans visiting us as we had gateshead rochdale and cumbria last season who did not bring many fans if i remember, we benefit for large away support imo

[duffymoon]

We have lost quite a few fans this season because of our home venue,I don't think there's any doubt about that.The one thing you can say is that all of our games at the LSV have been crackers and we've played some great rugby at times.

[PhillH]

I agree with a lot of what you say Phill. But saying that the performance was anything to do with financial trouble is pure speculation on your part.

I'm not sure your reason behind the increase in attendance is valid. We're playing better supported teams through merit, and the fact is, the average attendance is up, and will continue to go up (allbeit due to the "home" game against Leigh on the last day of the season, and no doubt another decent crowd against Keighley next week).

We do need some consistency where players are concerned though!

Thankfully I've had the chance to attend the majority of games this season and my strong impression is that the level of Lions support has dropped considerably when compared to 2011 at The Willows.

The majority of the increased away following that has been clear through 2012 (unique circumstances with Leigh aside) would presumably have still turned up in M27 in the event Agecroft had been ready for this season, with the added advantage of more Lions followers to take the overall numbers higher.

Breaking 1,000 regularly ought to be the first goal at Agecroft, perfectly achievable with some hard work to promote the club as the Keighley game at the Willows showed.

The likes of Skolars, Gateshead, South Wales and the Cumbrian sides who were in opposition in 2011 never bring much into double figures. I fear the average gate in Championship One 2013 will be well below 500.

Edited by PhillH, 14 August 2012 - 08:43 AM.