The Goole Vikings Thread

[Bull Mania]

3 hours ago, The Future is League said:

Hopefully they can develop their own players and not rely on rejects from the Hull clubs.

We've super league sides not developing their own players... 

Hopefully the Vikings can get people interested in RL and picking up a rugby league ball. 

[Dullish Mood]

1 hour ago, Bull Mania said:

We've super league sides not developing their own players... 

Hopefully the Vikings can get people interested in RL and picking up a rugby league ball. 

How can such a small place so close already to the “heartlands” move the dial and grow the sport though?  It’s akin to “expanding” to Runcorn?

[Barley Mow]

3 minutes ago, Dullish Mood said:

How can such a small place so close already to the “heartlands” move the dial and grow the sport though?  It’s akin to “expanding” to Runcorn?

It depends what you mean by expansion.

There is expanding the geographic footprint of where they game is played - eg Toronto, Melbourne, London (in the 80s), Coventry/Midlands, Oxford, Cornwall, etc.

Then there is expanding the number of teams in a competition within existing RL heartlands - eg New Zealand Warriors, Dolphins, Gold Coast or a PNG club joining NRL, Catalans or Toulouse joining the RFL comps, Goole joining League 1.

The most recent NRL expansion was a team playing most of its matches in Brisbane - that expands the competition, but certainly not the area where RL is played/watched. Yet I can't recall any criticism of that.

I believe the RFL's only objective in allowing Goole to become pro was to ensure we had 3 divisions of 12 teams from next year - as long as Goole (and the other clubs) are sustainable, it achieves their goal.

From your comments it seems that you would only be happy with an expansion club that is in virgin territory and amongst the biggest in the game. I can only think of one example of such a club - Melbourne Storm. And to reach that level they have needed investment far beyond what's available in the UK game, a large city to draw fans from and the media coverage that comes with Australian RL.

[Damien]

13 hours ago, up the robins said:

The sport needs successful clubs at all levels of the game and a new club no matter what part of the country or size of population is more than welcome. 

Goole  may not ever be potential super league opponents but teams like Goole are vitally important for player development.

Exactly. The more clubs we have representing new areas the better. Not every club has to be a SL club.

[Eddie]

9 hours ago, Dullish Mood said:

How can such a small place so close already to the “heartlands” move the dial and grow the sport though?  It’s akin to “expanding” to Runcorn?

What would be wrong with that, a strong Runcorn club would be great. 

[Dullish Mood]

4 minutes ago, Eddie said:

What would be wrong with that, a strong Runcorn club would be great. 

Doh

[Tommygilf]

9 hours ago, Damien said:

Exactly. The more clubs we have representing new areas the better. Not every club has to be a SL club.

100 Hemel Stags would be worth more to RL than 1 more Leeds Rhinos or Wigan Warriors imo.

[lucky 7]

2 hours ago, Tommygilf said:

100 Hemel Stags would be worth more to RL than 1 more Leeds Rhinos or Wigan Warriors imo.

It would certainly get young people from non Rugby League areas playing out game for sure and that has to be that aim

[The Future is League]

18 hours ago, Dullish Mood said:

How can such a small place so close already to the “heartlands” move the dial and grow the sport though?  It’s akin to “expanding” to Runcorn?

I would suggest that in future any new club into the paid ranks close to the heartlands should have junior sections at all age groups, which i think in Gooles case they do, otherwise what the point in accepting them into the semi professional ranks.

There is no point in my opinion of accepting teams close to the heartlands who can only bring a senior team with them.

[Tommygilf]

8 hours ago, lucky 7 said:

It would certainly get young people from non Rugby League areas playing out game for sure and that has to be that aim

Exactly, and it would build that strength, depth and infrastructure such that the emergence of a new stronger large clubs could emerge too.

[groundhopper]

Goole v North Wales on March 23 will be played at the RU ground about a mile and a half north of the town.

In view of the ongoing works, at their usual venue, this seems reasonable.

Vikings then away for a couple of months whilst ground improvement works take place and 4g laid.