Rochdale Hornets

[LeytherRob]

2 hours ago, Fevrover said:

Great for Leigh but how dose this help Rochdale? Can't even compare them.

My bad, that’s what I get for opening my browser without checking what thread was open- thought this was the memberships one!

[Eddie]

1 hour ago, Phil W said:

At Thunder preparations are underway for the new season, no announcements on anything yet but talk of a fans meeting towards the end of November.

I expect the squad to not be too dissimilar from last season with a couple moving on. We'll be a season better off after this group experienced League One last season. 

Are you optimistic that Newcastle will start the season then? I really hope so! 

[Fevrover]

1 hour ago, LeytherRob said:

My bad, that’s what I get for opening my browser without checking what thread was open- thought this was the memberships one!

No problem, there is an excellent thread on season tickets. 

[Billy King's Boots]

7 hours ago, Hopping Mad said:

I went to a game at Rochdale Hornets last season. Shocked to discover only half of one of the stadium's four stands was open. The crowd was 448 (including a coach of away fans). In that context, fifty-odd season tickets sold sounds about right.

The main stand seats 1,800. League 1 games rarely require more than half of its capacity. Opening the whole stand would double the stewarding costs, which would swallow an even bigger chunk of vital matchday revenue (the club makes nothing from the bar or food  sales) -  so it makes financial sense to only use what the club needs and hang onto as much revenue as possible.

The ground has a capacity of around 10,000 - the last game to fill it was Fiji v Ireland in the 2013 WC.

[dealwithit]

With community clubs getting higher attendances, and some sporting more competitive teams than Newcastle, Cornwall etc., you still need to answer the question “what’s the point of League 1” 

[Phil W]

9 hours ago, Eddie said:

Are you optimistic that Newcastle will start the season then? I really hope so! 

Yes, we'll be starting the season. Apparently there were rumours but they've been shut down. Part of a lack of news has been our small number of volunteers were helping organise Scotland v Ireland. 

[Billy King's Boots]

As a comparison to League 1 attendances, here are 2024's Championship average attendances.

Pretty ordinary for most, it seems.

https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/ranking-every-championship-clubs-average-attendance-in-2024

[Billy King's Boots]

15 hours ago, Eddie said:

The attached has a graph showing RH’s average attendances since 2010, must admit in my mind they’d been a fair bit higher in the last decade but clearly not

 

Average attendances for League 1 across all competitions (Source: Rugby League Project)

Oldham 1610
Keighley 1490
Rochdale H. 896
Workington n/a
Hunslet 521
Midlands 402
North Wales 691
Cornwall n/a
Newcastle 611

 

Some of the clubs got a boost from cup games against Championship opposition, but it gives you an idea of where the competition is at.

[Hopping Mad]

10 hours ago, Billy King's Boots said:

The main stand seats 1,800. League 1 games rarely require more than half of its capacity. Opening the whole stand would double the stewarding costs, which would swallow an even bigger chunk of vital matchday revenue (the club makes nothing from the bar or food  sales) -  so it makes financial sense to only use what the club needs and hang onto as much revenue as possible.

The ground has a capacity of around 10,000 - the last game to fill it was Fiji v Ireland in the 2013 WC.

Appreciate the logic. I've been a few times - going back to 1988 - to Spotland since Hornets moved in. Last season was the first visit I can recall when so little of the ground was open (needed to be open).

Edited November 8, 2024 by Hopping Mad

[Eddie]

24 minutes ago, Billy King's Boots said:

Average attendances for League 1 across all competitions (Source: Rugby League Project)

Oldham 1610
Keighley 1490
Rochdale H. 896
Workington n/a
Hunslet 521
Midlands 402
North Wales 691
Cornwall n/a
Newcastle 611

 

Some of the clubs got a boost from cup games against Championship opposition, but it gives you an idea of where the competition is at.

Tbf it does compare favourably to this season’s Union third tier where (according to Wikipedia) the average attendance is 664, with a high of 1,310 and a low of 189.  I’d imagine Workington’s average will be above the L1 average too, not sure about Cornwall. 

[JonNgog]

It’s a real struggle for them. Even the football club were only getting about 3,000 when they were in League One. The town just isn’t interested in any sport that isn’t United/City. 

[Wakefield Ram]

It is early days for season tickets, expect they will sell more nearer the start of the season, but yes crowds aren't great in L1

[Roughyed Rats]

6 hours ago, Billy King's Boots said:

Average attendances for League 1 across all competitions (Source: Rugby League Project)

Oldham 1610
Keighley 1490
Rochdale H. 896
Workington n/a
Hunslet 521
Midlands 402
North Wales 691
Cornwall n/a
Newcastle 611

 

Some of the clubs got a boost from cup games against Championship opposition, but it gives you an idea of where the competition is at.

Our average attendance at Oldham was actually slightly higher than this just for League 1 games. 

[sheddingswasus]

1 hour ago, Roughyed Rats said:

Our average attendance at Oldham was actually slightly higher than this just for League 1 games. 

Plus the latter games all produced attendance just under 3000. Playing the likes of Cornwall at home twice dragged the average down. 

[HornyHornyHorneeet]

On 07/11/2024 at 08:30, Harry Stottle said:

I know Andy well, and he has put a lot of money into the sport at Leigh, Swinton and now presently Rochdale, not mentioning his contributions to the community game.

I must say that the tone of this communication sounds like desperation which is not like Andy at all, he is not just a 'half full' person he is normally up close to the brim.

Yes Mazey on the whole is very positive but i guess some things as uncomfortable as they are need saying.

The progress made in 2024 and the general mood around the club is extremely positive, so the update provided on sales is likely designed just to gee people up and get them doing their bit as 55 ST's on the back of a good year and real positive vibes is simply not good enough if people want to talk about being a Championship club.

The original club statement went out on 25th October and Andy has since commented on his X account with a more positive update stating the following.

steady progress over 50% of our budgeted target now and still plenty time and Christmas etc so fingers crossed despite a slow start we can exceed targets

The retention and recruitment for 2025 has been the best known at Hornets in many years. A new community facility on the back of 3 or 4. years of investment and hard work was launched in July, and creates an opportunity to grow the fanbase from a community level and grass roots upwards, and our ladies team has just been relaunched and is being invested in so it would seem our board are committed and probably just keen to drive hard and see numbers and bums on seats grow.

Hopefully the town will get behind this board as you do worry where the club would be without them right now.

 

Edited November 10, 2024 by HornyHornyHorneeet

[HornyHornyHorneeet]

On 06/11/2024 at 20:54, RayCee said:

How much would an average League One player expect to earn in a season? I assume it varies greatly but obviously most if not all clubs are paying more than ticket sales cover. With reduced central funding, it becomes an issue of remaining solvent without a generous benefactor. 

On another point, when do people start buying season tickets? I would have thought much closer to the commencement of the next season. Are the Hornets suggesting this has been a slow start for season ticket sales or merely that they intend to be more proactive in addressing the funding imbalance by reaching out to fans?

The update went out on 25th of October after about 2 weeks of memberships being on sales.

Andy Mazey has since replied to a supporter on X stating that steady progress has been made with 50% of the budget target now hit and still plenty time with Xmas etc and intimated despite a slow start there is a confidence in exceeding targets.

It would suggest a proactive approach in being transparent with the fans may lead to a more positive outcome.

On the whole as a supporter i do appreciate transparency and a warts and all approach. Sugar coating stuff wont get anyone anywhere.

 

Edited November 10, 2024 by HornyHornyHorneeet

[HornyHornyHorneeet]

On 07/11/2024 at 07:22, Toby Chopra said:

Seems a very ill thought out approach.

If you want someone to part with a year's money upfront, telling them that the club can't pay its bills probably makes them even more likely to sit on their hands.

https://www.hornetsrugbyleague.co.uk/article/1466/club-statement-from-chairman-andy-mazey

Where in the statement by the club does it say the club cant pay its bills?

Its pretty evident like many other clubs the chairman and owners are underpinning the club financially.

It would seem Andy and his board are committed and to some tune with significant six figure annual investment as the statement says (see below).

We are very fortunate to have a club that is well ran and debt free. 

Clearly its a rallying call and designed to drive people to step up and back them.

"As you may have also read in our IMG piece, a significant six-figure annual investment is currently being made by myself and the other shareholders. 

We are committed to a plan and doing all we can behind the scenes, and we are all extremely grateful for the efforts of everyone that make this club what it is, but also recognise the need to accelerate growth".

Edited November 10, 2024 by HornyHornyHorneeet

[Blind side johnny]

On 07/11/2024 at 19:16, Yorks Tim said:

Goole are spamimng social media like mad to sell season tickets but not seen much activity from other League 1 clubs. 

Midlands not announced yet but it's usually timed so as to be a suggested Christmas present for a loyal fan / loved one.

 

To be fair there is still uncertainty about the number of teams in the league, as there is in the Championship, with question marks against a couple of clubs. This seems to happen most seasons.

It makes it very difficult to pitch a reasonable season ticket price.

[Blind side johnny]

On 08/11/2024 at 08:18, Billy King's Boots said:

Average attendances for League 1 across all competitions (Source: Rugby League Project)

Oldham 1610
Keighley 1490
Rochdale H. 896
Workington n/a
Hunslet 521
Midlands 402
North Wales 691
Cornwall n/a
Newcastle 611

 

Some of the clubs got a boost from cup games against Championship opposition, but it gives you an idea of where the competition is at.

Unfortunately these figures aren't at all accurate with a number of clubs failing to give attendance figures for a significant proportion of games. Just look at the actual match data and see how many have attendances recorded alongside them.

[Billy King's Boots]

On 08/11/2024 at 14:27, Roughyed Rats said:

Our average attendance at Oldham was actually slightly higher than this just for League 1 games. 

Cool - what was that average?

[Billy King's Boots]

12 hours ago, Blind side johnny said:

Unfortunately these figures aren't at all accurate with a number of clubs failing to give attendance figures for a significant proportion of games. Just look at the actual match data and see how many have attendances recorded alongside them.

Fair Do's. These are the numbers I could find. If you have any more accurate ones, it would be good to see them.

[RayCee]

13 hours ago, Blind side johnny said:

Unfortunately these figures aren't at all accurate with a number of clubs failing to give attendance figures for a significant proportion of games. Just look at the actual match data and see how many have attendances recorded alongside them.

I used to do attendance figures on my blog for Championship and League 1 but haven’t for the 2024 season for the reason you state Johnny. 

[langpark]

Interview with Hornets CEO Matt Rigby came out today, where he discusses his role running the Hornets and also the role he has had with Dutch RL over the last few years. 

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19httR3ezH/

[Blind side johnny]

8 hours ago, Billy King's Boots said:

Fair Do's. These are the numbers I could find. If you have any more accurate ones, it would be good to see them.

That's the problem. I don't think anyone has accurate figures, although I believe that clubs are obliged to report them to the RFL.

It's almost as if some clubs, including mine, are reluctant to share this data.

[Billy King's Boots]

My gut feel is that the ones quoted aren't a million miles off. My club had a few 500/600 attendances - but also dragged on over 2,000 for a local derby, which would hike up the average a bit (quoted average at source was 800-ish), which feels about right. And, given what I saw at away games, it's probably much the same story (smallest crowds on the road were Newcastle and Midlands - ironic, given their cavernous stadia) - though Newcastle did get a bump from a cup game or two.

However it shakes down, crowds in League 1 aren't great, though the potential can be seen in local derbies / games with something at stake.