EssexRL

I am not sure you need too deep pockets (by rich people's standards) to be competitive in L1 or even Championship given the current set up with the club. Clearly SL is another issue all together but if we grow and are successful then maybe that will attract additional support (people and investment). The truth is securing additional investment from the UK has not been possible despite the club's best efforts. Carrying on as we are means, well carrying on as we are - both on and off the field and long term I do not think that is viable.

The new owners, like the old ones, will need to address the issue that all non heartland teams have too: where do we get the players that can perform at the necessary level. The playing pool down here is far too small to sustain two clubs (although many excellent players have and continue to progress through the community game down south). There are really only three options - short term: 1. Bring in RL players from abroad 2. Bring in (and support with housing and other costs) players from the north 3. Find RU players who can convert (not sure this is often a valuable route) Obviously longer term we need to grow our own.

Cornwall seem a viable option on and off the field.

Full details to come. As someone posted on here the public announcement on Friday took people a bit by surprise. On the name issue: yes it was due to the beer and yes it should be changes and ideally to something that gives the club an identity that resonates with this bit of London (kinda like Brixton Bulls in the south or East London Dockers (or Newham Dockers as they were!)

I hope all of those involved with the club, will still be around in some capacity. Their knowledge and insights will be invaluable.

Agree with all you say - and would add that we can get that right but because RL profile in London is low there has to be marketing too.

I think we are the anchor tenant and have a long term lease so there is some stability there and yes as any one who has been to New River knows there is a long of old terracing around the pitch that could be developed although presumably that would be costly. Important I think that the Harringay/North East London identity is maintain and built on whatever the future holds. I think there is real value is being a club with association to a part of London.

Sorry BB I had not picked up on the emoji thing. I am occasional visitor here these days...clearly they help with understanding and would have saved me rattling the post I did off. LOL. (There is probably an emoji for this!!)

I trust you are being ironic. I put £5000 into the club (plus £1k each year sponsorship and STs) with zero expectation of any return. Every one involved in this club did it for the love of the sport certainly not for profit, fame or glory. Some have lost six figure sums over the years. Skolars has survived due to that. To survive longer term and grow the club needs more money than the current owners can muster. This deal, whatever it is, is our best hope and frankly the best hope for RL in London at the moment. If I make a profit I will donate it, not that it’s anyone’s business.

Not sure what the price will be as not a Director but expect not and as you can imagine I didn't buy the shares with any expectation to make money!

We need funding to grow so hopefully this will deliver.

Was announced today at the match. I am also a share holder (not director) so can confirm legit

Has been announced today the club has been bought by an Australian consortium. Subject to RFL approval they should be in place for this season. The current directors and previous ones particularly Hector McNeil, have done an amazing job but hopefully we can now be taken to the next level (and the one after that, SL!) Also hopefully this will be a chance to reboot RL in London or at least North and East London.

Great post. I first watched RL when I was a student in Bradford (1981-84) so I have always ‘followed’ the Bulls to some degree. Being a southerner I switched to London when I came back south. I still have an interest in them (although far too much drama) but moving near Skolars a decade ago I started watching them and count my self a fan. I like being a fan - investing (emotionally, time wise and financially) in the team although I guess first and foremost I’m a fan of RL. Just to add- 1. RL needs as many fans as it can get however we define them. 2. I like the fact (at L1 level anyway) RL fans are passionate about their club and sport but not over-ally tribal.

Objectively (which I appreciate isn't the way this debate is likely to go) I guess it's any lasting commitment to and identity with a team. There are different levels of fan-ship from answering "I support XXX" when asked and doing little more than that (which is where I am with my football interest) to people who are full in - travelling to every game home and away, But really this is a case of self identification - you decide IF you are a fan; others may debate how MUCH of a fan you are.

Totally agree.

Spot on...I am always surprised how few RL fans do that. It is a small thing but a way we can all help build the game's profile. I suspect that RLWC trending on Twitter is more about non RL fans. Keeping to the theme of this thread (positivity) - everyone reading this could 'like' something the BBC does today around the game, if you can watch it on a device and TV, make a comment on the BBC pages and on social media.

28,000 crowd in Leeds, an amazing game and "RLWC" is trending at number 2 on Twitter.

Interesting. So have they both just decided 'let's organise a game and see the SF?' and why (and how on earth) Ilford FC?

It will be interesting to see whether you get any newbies along. I get the impression a fair few non traditional fans watched up there. Obviously hoping for a massive up tick in Skolar’s ST sales on the back of the SF Saturday.

Alastair Campbell tweeting his followers to watch this afternoon's QF.

I agree. I guess the thinking was there are enough RL fans in Hull willing to shell out for this to make it viable, which obviously wasn't the case, so where would it have been better to have held it? I am wondering how many people would have turned up to this game in or near London.

If you come to Skolars beers on me.

First sell out game (Huddersfield wheelchair)

Yes it was.