Are you worried about attendances?

[Johnoco]

12 minutes ago, Griff said:

Usually Rovers v Rangers.  Or possibly City v United.  I don't remember Town v City".

Definitely saw Town v City but possibly in The Victor or somewhere else. 

[DC77]

7 hours ago, whatmichaelsays said:

No disagreement there.

But the "something that needs to be done" is more than simply saying "we're playing Wakefield on Sunday at 3pm". That's the easy (and cheaper) advertising bit. 

The important bit is convincing people that watching Huddersfield play Wakefield is the thing that they want to be doing at 3pm on Sunday. That's the harder marketing bit. 

My point is that people think that this problem can be solved by the easy, cheap bit. 

Spot on as usual. 

The common theme on here seems to be about “raising awareness” of the sport, “if only X could see a game they’d be hooked”. The public really aren’t that ignorant. The vast majority of those who follow sport week in week out are well aware of Rugby league. They will have seen it on terrestrial television. BBC Radio Merseyside has a 1 hour RL show which covers the city of Liverpool, it hasn’t budged scousers. As you say it’s about enticing non RL followers to watch a game.

I find gimmicks don’t really work, especially if based on BS. The “every minute matters” slogan would have turned me off instantly as it was kidology. The more fixtures you add (super eights) you more you bloat the competition, making each game/minute matter less. By trimming the competition, you then elevate the importance of each game, therefore such a slogan would apply. The clubs want extra games for the coffers, but in doing so they dilute the significance of each game. 

I’d trim down the number of fixtures. I’d also look to find a way of making eye catching open attacking play much more common. Any stifling play like the wrestle I’d clamp right down on. And holding on more than (I dunno) two seconds during the play the ball routine, whistle goes and team goes 10 yards up the field (if that takes play past the try line, then try). I want more turnstile defences, wide open runs through midfield leaving players in their wake. Side steps and dummies galore. Individuals amassing 4 to 5 tries in a game, and not the close in variety. Games where you know instantly who the man of the match is (and not have to be informed by a RL expert on commentary/in the studio), that’s how stars are created. RU has a higher profile than RL, and yet RU hasn’t had a star in well over a decade, which doesn’t bode well for RL. What made Lomu a star, he could not do now, as the much increased average player size and much tighter defences (via RL coaches) would stifle him. Stifling creativity kills a sport.

[GUBRATS]

2 minutes ago, DC77 said:

Spot on as usual. 

The common theme on here seems to be about “raising awareness” of the sport, “if only X could see a game they’d be hooked”. The public really aren’t that ignorant. The vast majority of those who follow sport week in week out are well aware of Rugby league. They will have seen it on terrestrial television. BBC Radio Merseyside has a 1 hour RL show which covers the city of Liverpool, it hasn’t budged scousers. As you say it’s about enticing non RL followers to watch a game.

I find gimmicks don’t really work, especially if based on BS. The “every minute matters” slogan would have turned me off instantly as it was kidology. The more fixtures you add (super eights) you more you bloat the competition, making each game/minute matter less. By trimming the competition, you then elevate the importance of each game, therefore such a slogan would apply. The clubs want extra games for the coffers, but in doing so they dilute the significance of each game. 

I’d trim down the number of fixtures. I’d also look to find a way of making eye catching open attacking play much more common. Any stifling play like the wrestle I’d clamp right down on. And holding on more than (I dunno) two seconds during the play the ball routine, whistle goes and team goes 10 yards up the field (if that takes play past the try line, then try). I want more turnstile defences, wide open runs through midfield leaving players in their wake. Side steps and dummies galore. Individuals amassing 4 to 5 tries in a game, and not the close in variety. Games where you know instantly who the man of the match is (and not have to be informed by a RL expert on commentary/in the studio), that’s how stars are created. RU has a higher profile than RL, and yet RU hasn’t had a star in well over a decade, which doesn’t bode well for RL. What made Lomu a star, he could not do now, as the much increased average player size and much tighter defences (via RL coaches) would stifle him. Stifling creativity kills a sport.

Correct , nothing wrong with an 80 minute game of RL , nothing wrong with 13 players ( although the no of players and size of pitch wasn't originally designed for super fit athletes , like most ' old ' sports ) , it's how the game is played , where it is played , partly the ' experience ' , and how hard the clubs work to get people in and give them a good time 

[Scubby]

Just now, GUBRATS said:

Correct , nothing wrong with an 80 minute game of RL , nothing wrong with 13 players ( although the no of players and size of pitch wasn't originally designed for super fit athletes , like most ' old ' sports ) , it's how the game is played , where it is played , partly the ' experience ' , and how hard the clubs work to get people in and give them a good time 

Growing up what intrigued me about RL was a good percentage of the crowd that simply rocked up 5 minutes before the kick off and often left right on the hooter or (if losing) 5-10 before. That means you basically only have 90 minutes to try and upsell to this audience and 70-80 of that is taken up by the match itself.

Not that much has changed. You have to find ways to get people into the ground as early as possible and get them to hang around after. 

[Griff]

6 minutes ago, GUBRATS said:

Correct , nothing wrong with an 80 minute game of RL , nothing wrong with 13 players ( although the no of players and size of pitch wasn't originally designed for super fit athletes , like most ' old ' sports ) , it's how the game is played , where it is played , partly the ' experience ' , and how hard the clubs work to get people in and give them a good time 

I've been saying for ages that we shouldn't start before March at the earliest.

The one big advantage of a winter season was that it started and ended in good weather.

Not that I'm looking for a return to winter rugby at my age .....

[OriginalMrC]

5 hours ago, Scubby said:

Growing up what intrigued me about RL was a good percentage of the crowd that simply rocked up 5 minutes before the kick off and often left right on the hooter or (if losing) 5-10 before. That means you basically only have 90 minutes to try and upsell to this audience and 70-80 of that is taken up by the match itself.

Not that much has changed. You have to find ways to get people into the ground as early as possible and get them to hang around after. 

Barrow are doing great offering free entry for anyone turning up before 1pm. Making it an experience with food and drink instead of people leaving it as late as possible to get there because they're in the local pub 

[The Frying Scotsman]

14 hours ago, Johnoco said:

In the old days in The Beano or Dandy, a bill sticker would put up a poster saying ‘Town v City Saturday, KO 3pm’ or ‘Rovers v Rangers’

If only it was like that now.

 

Some people on here think it still is, John. 

[Tommygilf]

 

[Dave T]

15 hours ago, Griff said:

I've been saying for ages that we shouldn't start before March at the earliest.

The one big advantage of a winter season was that it started and ended in good weather.

Not that I'm looking for a return to winter rugby at my age .....

I don't mind the early starts, the attendances are often decent as people are crying out for RL, but I'm not a fan of the October Grand FInal. I'd do everything we could to get a Mid-Sept Grand Final at the very latest - the Grand Final at Old Trafford has never ever felt like the climax of a summer sport. 

[meast]

On 11/08/2021 at 09:22, Johnoco said:

It’s not ‘well into it’ either way. In 100 years time do you think they will say smartphones came into use ‘well into the 21st century?’? 
 

Fact is, soccer took a hold very quickly in West Yorkshire and grew like crazy. Obviously the rugby schism didn’t help matters but that’s what happened. 

Last word from me on this, but how many years into a century do you determine is well into it?

I consider 10 years well into a century never mind 21/22

[Griff]

1 hour ago, meast said:

Last word from me on this, but how many years into a century do you determine is well into it?

I consider 10 years well into a century never mind 21/22

No - it's at least 27 years 4 months.

[Johnoco]

1 hour ago, meast said:

Last word from me on this, but how many years into a century do you determine is well into it?

I consider 10 years well into a century never mind 21/22

Last word in me on this....so 8 minutes into a game is 'well into the match'? ......

 

[GUBRATS]

23 hours ago, Scubby said:

Growing up what intrigued me about RL was a good percentage of the crowd that simply rocked up 5 minutes before the kick off and often left right on the hooter or (if losing) 5-10 before. That means you basically only have 90 minutes to try and upsell to this audience and 70-80 of that is taken up by the match itself.

Not that much has changed. You have to find ways to get people into the ground as early as possible and get them to hang around after. 

At Hilton Park , fans would arrive early , meet in the Mick Martyn bar for a beer or two , post match the kids would be playing tic and pass on the pitch and again the Mick Martyn bar would be full , sometimes the away fans would nip in for a beer before boarding their coach to some far flung outpost in Yorkshire or Cumbria ( not Hull as they were all hooligans ) ,plenty of the players , both home and away would come in for a beer and a chat , quite often there'd be a disco on and fans would drift off 3/4 hours after the game finished 

Now it's 30 people in the legends bar pre match and less after for a single beer , that's it 

[graveyard johnny]

1 hour ago, GUBRATS said:

At Hilton Park , fans would arrive early , meet in the Mick Martyn bar for a beer or two , post match the kids would be playing tic and pass on the pitch and again the Mick Martyn bar would be full , sometimes the away fans would nip in for a beer before boarding their coach to some far flung outpost in Yorkshire or Cumbria ( not Hull as they were all hooligans ) ,plenty of the players , both home and away would come in for a beer and a chat , quite often there'd be a disco on and fans would drift off 3/4 hours after the game finished 

Now it's 30 people in the legends bar pre match and less after for a single beer , that's it 

thats life in general these days "where have all the good times gone?"

[Leyther_Matt]

3 hours ago, GUBRATS said:

At Hilton Park , fans would arrive early , meet in the Mick Martyn bar for a beer or two , post match the kids would be playing tic and pass on the pitch and again the Mick Martyn bar would be full , sometimes the away fans would nip in for a beer before boarding their coach to some far flung outpost in Yorkshire or Cumbria ( not Hull as they were all hooligans ) ,plenty of the players , both home and away would come in for a beer and a chat , quite often there'd be a disco on and fans would drift off 3/4 hours after the game finished 

Now it's 30 people in the legends bar pre match and less after for a single beer , that's it 

There’s still much the same number of fans attending (and drinking) as there was then, only they drink in the pubs instead. 

At away games I stand by the mantra that kick off is overrated. 

[ShropshireBull]

Tonight at Saints? 

[GUBRATS]

27 minutes ago, Leyther_Matt said:

There’s still much the same number of fans attending (and drinking) as there was then, only they drink in the pubs instead. 

At away games I stand by the mantra that kick off is overrated. 

Just replying to the " we need / why don't fans make a day of it " post 

Shame we didn't get the original layout that was suggested for the LSV , with the double sided stand connected to the harriers , with a full length hospitality room running the full length like Blackpool , able to be split and/or opened as required 

[Chris22]

21 minutes ago, ShropshireBull said:

Tonight at Saints? 

No crowd figure announced at the stadium.

[Eddie]

52 minutes ago, ShropshireBull said:

Tonight at Saints? 

7,500 I reckon. 

[Davo5]

5 minutes ago, Eddie said:

7,500 I reckon. 

That many.

[Johnoco]

Bradford City (in the bottom division) attendance today 17264. Clearly some people *are* keen to get back to live sport. 

[Scubby]

1 minute ago, Johnoco said:

Bradford City (in the bottom division) attendance today 17264. Clearly some people *are* keen to get back to live sport. 

Yep it does feel like RL has work to do. In mitigation, there is something about starting crowds up after a half completed season against selling tickets for a Covid-restriction free new season starting in August. We will have no excuses next Feb/March though.

[Johnoco]

10 minutes ago, Scubby said:

Yep it does feel like RL has work to do. In mitigation, there is something about starting crowds up after a half completed season against selling tickets for a Covid-restriction free new season starting in August. We will have no excuses next Feb/March though.

Fair enough, let's see what happens. It's just the excuse about people being wary to attend things doesn't hold up. 

[meast]

25 minutes ago, Johnoco said:

Bradford City (in the bottom division) attendance today 17264. Clearly some people *are* keen to get back to live sport. 

24,738 at Sheff Wed in the 3rd division.

Seems there's no issues with football crowds going back.

[meast]

On 12/08/2021 at 21:58, ShropshireBull said:

Tonight at Saints? 

 

On 12/08/2021 at 22:20, Chris22 said:

No crowd figure announced at the stadium.

 

On 12/08/2021 at 22:50, Eddie said:

7,500 I reckon. 

7,050 at Saints

6,230 at Hull KR

Not many at Salford

Edited August 14, 2021 by meast