FORUMS FORUMS






RLFANS.COM
Celebrating
25 years service to
the Rugby League
Community!
  
FORUMS > The Virtual Terrace > The Sneaky Way to Expand
20 posts in 2 pages 
<<   PREV  NEXT   >>
Subscribe | Moderators: Admin, Durham Giant , TimperleySaint
RankPostsTeam
Player Coach654No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
Mar 200916 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
Feb 2016Feb 2016LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature

Wire exiled in Hampshire:



Now, there's all sorts of suggestions on how we're best to expand as a code. Some think don't bother; some think we should expand the heartlands; others say just be bold.

But here's something to consider.

Castleford and Featherstone are small towns with big rugby teams. Lower down the scale, towns like Swinton support teams whose presence seems more than the town itself.

In other sports, you see the same. Poole in Dorset is obsessed with speedway. Small Welsh towns are obsessed with rugby union.

In League, we see places like Hemel fly the flag for expansion.

So could it be that mid-size towns with little competition from football are worth the effort and investment for expansion-especially if centrally driven? I'm thinking places like Basingstoke, Banbury, Leamington Spa, Redditch, Cannock, Stafford, Newark, Melton Mowbray. You'd need focussed RFL and private investment on a particular place, flood it with marketing, a generally big effort.

Local pride + only game in town = success? Worth a thought...

RankPostsTeam
International Star2649No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
Jan 201114 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
May 2014May 2012LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature

:



That actually sounds like a good idea.

There wouldn't be much competition from other sports but RL would spread around the surrounding areas when it's been picked up.

RankPostsTeam
Player Coach654No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
Mar 200916 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
Feb 2016Feb 2016LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature

Wire exiled in Hampshire:



Quote: justarugbyfan "That actually sounds like a good idea.

There wouldn't be much competition from other sports but RL would spread around the surrounding areas when it's been picked up.'"


Exactly what I'm thinking. This isn't my own original idea, it's based on what a friend pointed out about speedway being strong in towns where football is non-existent or the only game in town. Only problem- it needs the RFL to be brave and break out the cash.

RankPostsTeam
International Star2649No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
Jan 201114 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
May 2014May 2012LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature

:



True. It would make a massive difference to the game as we would be spreading out loads. If towns don't have any sport they are likely to want to see one.

Would the RFL do it though?

RankPostsTeam
Player Coach2490
JoinedServiceReputation
Feb 200718 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
Aug 2022Aug 2022LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature

:



I have always said that some of the towns away from the main soccer areas should be looked at. The way to do it at first is to get the union sides into the summer game with a short summer league based local areas so as to cut down travel costs, push it at them as a way to keep interest in the club during the off season(Union) for this though the RFL would have to stump up cash for training of coaches Refs. If any show growth or real interest push them to go to the national conferance or consider the semi pro rout through the championship. But two words of caution it would be along haul 20 years plus, secondly the main super league clubs to stay viable need to get crowds well above 10,000 so it means towns of 75,000 population still would be to small, the push to full time pro has just about made the top league to costly unless you have enough people in the area, hence the struggle in Cumbria to get a super league side.

RankPostsTeam
Player Coach18736No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
Jan 200619 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
Nov 2013Jan 2013LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature
20672.jpg
:CROWN: [color=#4000FF:3cyxr5nr]RLFans.com Soccer Prediction League Champion 2011/2012[/color:3cyxr5nr] :CROWN: [url=http://www.christie.nhs.uk/the-christie-charity/donate.aspx:3cyxr5nr]The Christie - please donate[/url:3cyxr5nr] [url=http://www.popbitch.com/home/2009/10/05/red-pepper-news:3cyxr5nr]Greatest headline ever?[/url:3cyxr5nr]:20672.jpg



Using the conference as a kind of natural selection has always appealed to me. Allow clubs to establish an organic foothold in the community and use that as a base.

RankPostsTeam
Club Owner33944No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
Mar 200421 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
Mar 2016Mar 2016LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature
9005.jpg
kcab sfrawdder Luck is a combination of preparation and opportunity Just to avoid confusion Starbug is the username of Steven Pike SOMEBODY SAID that it couldn’t be done But he with a chuckle replied That “maybe it couldn’t,” but he would be one Who wouldn’t say so till he’d tried. So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin On his face. If he worried he hid it. He started to sing as he tackled the thing That couldn’t be done, and he did it!:9005.jpg



Quote: Beverley red "I have always said that some of the towns away from the main soccer areas should be looked at. The way to do it at first is to get the union sides into the summer game with a short summer league based local areas so as to cut down travel costs, push it at them as a way to keep interest in the club during the off season(Union) for this though the RFL would have to stump up cash for training of coaches Refs. If any show growth or real interest push them to go to the national conferance or consider the semi pro rout through the championship. But two words of caution it would be along haul 20 years plus, secondly the main super league clubs to stay viable need to get crowds well above 10,000 so it means towns of 75,000 population still would be to small, the push to full time pro has just about made the top league to costly unless you have enough people in the area, hence the struggle in Cumbria to get a super league side.'"


To establish and run a semi pro RL club , you need

A stadium , possibly council controlled non league footy team

£ 250,000 a year to pay for , a player coach ( possibly a near retirement SL player ) , a general manager ( possibly a retired SL player interested in staying in that side of the sport ) , 6 dual reg players from SL clubs , 4/5 quota players tied in through your community dept , the rest made up from local possibly RU players

You look to locate close enough for your primary personnel to be able to commute , as you have suggested in a town that doesn't have a top tier existing sports club

Yes they will need funding for several years , but you are attempting creeping expansion rather than satellite expansion as we seem to be currently attempting

RankPostsTeam
Player Coach3414No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
Feb 200718 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
Jun 2024Aug 2022LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature
32137_1302980312.jpg
Fat blokes in the mud, flat caps, bogs that drain pi55 directly onto your boots - Now it's all 'Big Ask', 'Arm Wrestle', 'Collision' 'Contact' 'Facials' 'Upper Body Strength' 'Big Units' 'Scooting from Dummy Half' 'Energy Levels' 'Laying the Platform' ‘Middles’ and 'T-R-Y'. Let’s not forget resilience.:d7dc4b20b2c2dd7b76ac6eac29d5604e_32137.jpg



I suppose Hemel looks a decent idea, small town but if badged as Herts would have a huge potential catchment.

RankPostsTeam
International Chairman12768No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
Dec 200123 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
Sep 2024Sep 2022LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature
663_1379281559.jpg
[b:1g6itio7][color=#000000:1g6itio7]Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.; [/color:1g6itio7][/b:1g6itio7]:d7dc4b20b2c2dd7b76ac6eac29d5604e_663.jpg



No

Not viable and never will be

RankPostsTeam
Club Owner12006No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
Jul 200321 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
Mar 2019Oct 2014LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature
6278_1381491357.jpg
[b:3ekusm3q][color=#FF0000:3ekusm3q]WIGAN RLFC[/color:3ekusm3q][/b:3ekusm3q]:d7dc4b20b2c2dd7b76ac6eac29d5604e_6278.jpg



The problem is that the RFL couldn't advertise a jolly up in a brewery. They must spend millions sending marketing about Millennium Magic and Wembley and the GF etc to RL fans. Surely their computer shows that I attend anyway. I'm a rugby fan. I know when the cup final is.

They should have spent the money sending MM adverts to every house within 10 miles of Cardiff not to people in Wigan, Hull and Leeds. 5 I got.

RankPostsTeam
International Star1869No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
Jul 201014 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
May 2018Apr 2018LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature
51864_1312823830.gif
Just Win, Baby [b:38co1fbc]GIANTS RAIDERS TOFFEES[/b:38co1fbc]:d7dc4b20b2c2dd7b76ac6eac29d5604e_51864.gif



I'm willing to invest £100,000,000 in Maidstone.



When I get £100,000,000

RankPostsTeam
Player Coach769No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
Nov 200618 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
Sep 2017Jun 2017LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature
29368.jpg
:29368.jpg



Quote: justarugbyfan "That actually sounds like a good idea.

There wouldn't be much competition from other sports but RL would spread around the surrounding areas when it's been picked up.'"


Not convinced it would spread throughout the region.

I could give various examples of where this doesnt happen with clubs that have been existant for over 100 years. Go a couple of miles south or east of Salford and the interest in rugby league is zero.

RankPostsTeam
Club Coach519No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
Jan 200520 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
Dec 2015Dec 2015LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature
12173.gif
[img:32h1fqm2]http://i.imgur.com/dxBuNAY.png[/img:32h1fqm2]:12173.gif



didnt that format happen in a small town called warrington,they use to play south of the river where polo,cricket and bowls where the top sports. but moved to the north side and bang looked what happened there great idea. icon_wink.gif

Ski
RankPostsTeam
Player Coach31335No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
May 200519 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
Jan 2015Nov 2014LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature
15467_1321873759.jpg
[img:wjrw39sz]http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a48/saintorsinner/botevultracopy.gif[/img:wjrw39sz] [b:wjrw39sz]Krasota, viara i borba[/b:wjrw39sz]:d7dc4b20b2c2dd7b76ac6eac29d5604e_15467.jpg



Leamington has a side, the Leamington Royals.

RankPostsTeam
Player Coach18736No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
Jan 200619 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
Nov 2013Jan 2013LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature
20672.jpg
:CROWN: [color=#4000FF:3cyxr5nr]RLFans.com Soccer Prediction League Champion 2011/2012[/color:3cyxr5nr] :CROWN: [url=http://www.christie.nhs.uk/the-christie-charity/donate.aspx:3cyxr5nr]The Christie - please donate[/url:3cyxr5nr] [url=http://www.popbitch.com/home/2009/10/05/red-pepper-news:3cyxr5nr]Greatest headline ever?[/url:3cyxr5nr]:20672.jpg



Quote: Ski "Leamington has a side, the Leamington Royals.'"
@LeamRoyalsRL - Current Cooperative RLC Regional Champions and Warwick District Council Team of the Year 2010.

As do Southampton @SpitfireGT
Swindon @SwindonStGeorge
Coventry @CoventryBearsRL
Shorpe @ShorpeRL
Devon (Torquay) @devonsharks
Uxbridge @BrunelRL
Bristol @BristolSonicsRL
Plymouth @PlymouthTitans
Nottingham @outlawsRL
Guildford @GuildfordGiants

and many, many others.

20 posts in 2 pages 
<<   PREV  NEXT   >>
Subscribe | Moderators: Admin, Durham Giant , TimperleySaint
20 posts in 2 pages 
<<   PREV  NEXT   >>
Subscribe | Moderators: Admin, Durham Giant , TimperleySaint



All views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of the RLFANS.COM or its subsites.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure that news stories, articles and images are correct, we cannot be held responsible for errors. However, if you feel any material on this website is copyrighted or incorrect in any way please contact us using the link at the top of the page so we can remove it or negotiate copyright permission.

RLFANS.COM, the owners of this website, is not responsible for the content of its sub-sites or posts, please email the author of this sub-site or post if you feel you find an article offensive or of a choice nature that you disagree with.

Copyright 1999 - 2024 RLFANS.COM

You must be 18+ to gamble, for more information and for help with gambling issues see https://www.begambleaware.org/.



Please Support RLFANS.COM


1.173828125:5
RLFANS Recent Posts
FORUM
LAST
POST
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
Recent
Recruitment rumours and links
Or thane
3485
Recent
2024/25 out of season mind occupier 2
Or thane
10
FORUM
LAST
VIEW
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
32s
England Vs Samoa Test Series
Father Ted
72
1m
Aston Banned
MP
5
1m
England vs Samoa
NickyKiss
88
1m
Film game
karetaker
4967
1m
Recruitment rumours and links
Or thane
3485
1m
Its all gone a bit quiet
BigTime
5
2m
ALL NEW 49ERS ERA LEEDS UTD THREAD
tad rhino
2533
2m
Planning for next season
Leyther in n
162
2m
DoR - New Coach - Investor & Adam - New signings
Hessle Roade
3635
2m
IMG Score
Bent&Bon
59
FORUM
NEW
TOPICS
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
TODAY
Its all gone a bit quiet
BigTime
5
TODAY
England Beat Samoa To Take Test Series
RLFANS News
1
TODAY
McMeekan
Trojan Horse
13
TODAY
Englands Women Demolish The Welsh
RLFANS News
1
TODAY
Lee Kershaw
Big lads mat
9
TODAY
2025 Shirt
MR FRISK
10
TODAY
Home Shirt 2025
MattyB
1
TODAY
Uele contract extension
Khlav Kalash
5
TODAY
Squad for Match 2 v Samoa
rubber ducki
6
TODAY
2024/25 out of season mind occupier 2
Or thane
10
TODAY
Sky tv deals
ninearches
6
TODAY
2024/25 out of season mind occupier 1
Lord Tony Sm
24
TODAY
New Kit
MorePlaymake
57
TODAY
Memorable Games
Rugby Raider
6
TODAY
Hybrid rugby
moto748
11
TODAY
Pre Season - 2025
The games af
40
TODAY
England v Australia
karetaker
24
TODAY
The Aussies are coming
Bullseye
17
TODAY
England Beat Samoa Comfortably In First Test
RLFANS News
1
TODAY
England v Samoa
Captain Hook
33
TODAY
England vs Samoa
NickyKiss
88
TODAY
Trinity back on super league forum
RoyBoy29
4
TODAY
IN 2025 Maika Sivo - Expires 2028
batleyrhino
36
TODAY
Danny McGuire new head coach
Huddersfield
1
TODAY
What happens now
Start@1873
3
TODAY
Liam Kay
Wollo-Wollo-
53
TODAY
Coach announced
The Dors
14
NEWS ITEMS
VIEWS
England Beat Samoa To Take Tes..
271
England's Women Demolish The W..
252
England Beat Samoa Comfortably..
640
Operational Rules Tribunal –..
490
IMG-RFL club gradings released..
636
Wakefield Trinity Win Champion..
1267
Hunslet Secure Promotion After..
1488
Trinity Into Play Off Final Af..
1761
Wigan Warriors Crowned Champio..
1334
York Valkyrie Win Back to Back..
1607
Hunslet Book Relegation Play O..
1959
Penrith Panthers Secure Fourth..
1542
Wigan Humiliate Leigh For Gran..
1635
Hull KR Survive Warrington Fig..
1750
Warrington Wolves Break Saints..
1966
POSTSONLINEREGISTRATIONSRECORD
19.64M 877 80,15414,103
LOGIN HERE
or REGISTER for more features!.

When you register you get access to the live match scores, live match chat and you can post in the discussions on the forums.
RLFANS Match Centre
There are currently no matches to display.
Matches on TV
Sat 2nd Nov
MINT2024 3 England M34-16Samoa M
WINT2024 2 ENGLAND W82-0WALES W
Sun 27th Oct
MINT2024 2 England M34-18Samoa M
This is an inplay table and live positions can change.
Mens Betfred Super League XXVIII ROUND : 1
 PLDFADIFFPTS
Wigan 29 768 338 430 48
Hull KR 29 731 344 387 44
Warrington 29 769 351 418 42
Leigh 29 580 442 138 33
Salford 28 556 561 -5 32
St.Helens 28 618 411 207 30
 
Catalans 27 475 427 48 30
Leeds 27 530 488 42 28
Huddersfield 27 468 658 -190 20
Castleford 27 425 735 -310 15
Hull FC 27 328 894 -566 6
LondonB 27 317 916 -599 6
This is an inplay table and live positions can change.
Betfred Championship 2024 ROUND : 1
 PLDFADIFFPTS
Wakefield 27 1032 275 757 52
Toulouse 26 765 388 377 37
Bradford 28 723 420 303 36
York 29 695 501 194 32
Widnes 27 561 502 59 29
Featherstone 27 634 525 109 28
 
Sheffield 26 626 526 100 28
Doncaster 26 498 619 -121 25
Halifax 26 509 650 -141 22
Batley 26 422 591 -169 22
Swinton 28 484 676 -192 20
Barrow 25 442 720 -278 19
Whitehaven 25 437 826 -389 18
Dewsbury 27 348 879 -531 4
Hunslet 1 6 10 -4 0
RLFANS Recent Posts
FORUM
LAST
POST
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
Recent
Recruitment rumours and links
Or thane
3485
Recent
2024/25 out of season mind occupier 2
Or thane
10
FORUM
LAST
VIEW
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
32s
England Vs Samoa Test Series
Father Ted
72
1m
Aston Banned
MP
5
1m
England vs Samoa
NickyKiss
88
1m
Film game
karetaker
4967
1m
Recruitment rumours and links
Or thane
3485
1m
Its all gone a bit quiet
BigTime
5
2m
ALL NEW 49ERS ERA LEEDS UTD THREAD
tad rhino
2533
2m
Planning for next season
Leyther in n
162
2m
DoR - New Coach - Investor & Adam - New signings
Hessle Roade
3635
2m
IMG Score
Bent&Bon
59
FORUM
NEW
TOPICS
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
TODAY
Its all gone a bit quiet
BigTime
5
TODAY
England Beat Samoa To Take Test Series
RLFANS News
1
TODAY
McMeekan
Trojan Horse
13
TODAY
Englands Women Demolish The Welsh
RLFANS News
1
TODAY
Lee Kershaw
Big lads mat
9
TODAY
2025 Shirt
MR FRISK
10
TODAY
Home Shirt 2025
MattyB
1
TODAY
Uele contract extension
Khlav Kalash
5
TODAY
Squad for Match 2 v Samoa
rubber ducki
6
TODAY
2024/25 out of season mind occupier 2
Or thane
10
TODAY
Sky tv deals
ninearches
6
TODAY
2024/25 out of season mind occupier 1
Lord Tony Sm
24
TODAY
New Kit
MorePlaymake
57
TODAY
Memorable Games
Rugby Raider
6
TODAY
Hybrid rugby
moto748
11
TODAY
Pre Season - 2025
The games af
40
TODAY
England v Australia
karetaker
24
TODAY
The Aussies are coming
Bullseye
17
TODAY
England Beat Samoa Comfortably In First Test
RLFANS News
1
TODAY
England v Samoa
Captain Hook
33
TODAY
England vs Samoa
NickyKiss
88
TODAY
Trinity back on super league forum
RoyBoy29
4
TODAY
IN 2025 Maika Sivo - Expires 2028
batleyrhino
36
TODAY
Danny McGuire new head coach
Huddersfield
1
TODAY
What happens now
Start@1873
3
TODAY
Liam Kay
Wollo-Wollo-
53
TODAY
Coach announced
The Dors
14
NEWS ITEMS
VIEWS
England Beat Samoa To Take Tes..
271
England's Women Demolish The W..
252
England Beat Samoa Comfortably..
640
Operational Rules Tribunal –..
490
IMG-RFL club gradings released..
636
Wakefield Trinity Win Champion..
1267
Hunslet Secure Promotion After..
1488
Trinity Into Play Off Final Af..
1761
Wigan Warriors Crowned Champio..
1334
York Valkyrie Win Back to Back..
1607
Hunslet Book Relegation Play O..
1959
Penrith Panthers Secure Fourth..
1542
Wigan Humiliate Leigh For Gran..
1635
Hull KR Survive Warrington Fig..
1750
Warrington Wolves Break Saints..
1966


Visit the RLFANS.COM SHOP
for more merchandise!