Which tiddlywinks matches have you been watching? I'm curious.

Do you not think a team in the South and developing Amateur RL in the South is a good idea? Do you think Amateur RL in the South would be so big without Harlequins? Genuine questions, interested in what you think.

I'm struggling to see the benefits to the game of Rugby League in having Featherstone in the Super League.

Our club earnt a place in exactly the same way as Leeds, Wigan and St Helens did, so I'm not sure which angle you are taking there.

I agree with what you say, in the short term things aren't great, but we have to start somewhere. Things can only get better from here. There was a lot of positivity at the ground last time, the first time I have noticed this this seasons. The crowds will come, they have been there before, and they are out there for the future, I am sure.

I know. So why the need to constantly jump on and criticize an important SL club? Our club are well aware of our shortcomings, but things aren't going to happen overnight.

Well said. Huddersfield only took around 150 supporters last night too which was a pretty poor show.

How long do you think it'll take to start attracting any interest in your club?

How long has there been a professional club (in whatever incarnation) playing under a ‘London’ banner?

Whilst the Quins crowds are poor and are an important issue, how long has there been a club in Featherstone, Halifax or any of the other potential replacements for Quins in SL? Because their crowds aren't exactly amazing either and don't offer the expansion and potential for new players that Quins do. Not to mention the incredibly important fact of having a presence in the only city the media give a toss about.
There is only really Widnes who are an even vaguely realistic alternative.

As you know, we have been shifted around all over the place and haven't had a chance to establish one single club. Like I said on the VT recently, I bet a lot of Leeds supporters got into RL through their family, something that is going to take years to happen for us.

Put either Halifax or Featherstone in the Super League with increased revenue from TV rights and a greater exposure and I’ll bet my left nut that both of them would exceed the current attendances currently being achieved by the Harlequins.

Compound this the fact the both these clubs would get a much larger travelling support and both become a more attractive proposition than the London club.

IMO of course.

If Halifax and Featherstone played the same standard of Rugby that we are playing at the moment, then I would happily take that bet.

I'm sure they probably would exceed Quins current attendances, but not by enough to make it significant. Having said that the last time Halifax were in SL they averaged less than Quins crowds last season.
(Fax 2003 - 2976 Quins 2009 - 3436)
Add in the expansion aspect, new player pool and the media issue and Quins win hands down every time in my opinion.

WHy are you being so defensive? Why can such an issue not be discussed by our fans?

Leeds' fans recognize the importance of Harlequins and a London presence in SL which is why your worrying attendances, results and finances are of concern to us.

There are some great strides being made with amateur RL in London but there's also some bitterness. If the RFL (and, by definition, its' member clubs), paid for 50 development officers in Bradford or Birmingham there would be equally as good results and equally good opportunities for young people there to play the game. You shouldn't deflect attention away from your club's failings by lauding your success in junior development too much when that is being funded by the rest of us heartland clubs.

You have to justify your existence and for all the wonderful work in the amateur game so far SL has seen only Tony Clubb and LMS. The rest of us in the game are paying a high price for two England fringe players.

I wasn't aware that I was coming across as being defensive, it genuinely interests me as to why the attendance of our games warrants a discussion among you, and several fair points have been raised. And hopefully some people will see a long term future rather than the short term which is what seems to be focused upon.

I think I am probably the last person who you could accuse of deflecting attention away from our club's failings, and I really don't buy the idea that we are a shoein because of our development.

Can you explain how heartland clubs are funding our junior development? Sadly, LMS and Tony Clubb have been rubbish all season too

50?! I don't know where the RFL get it's money from, this is where I was hoping you could enlighten me. Do Bradford need more than one development officer?

Bradford certainly feel that they need more than 1 development officer and, personally, I would like every club to be given the same support with development officers that Quins are.