FORUMS > The Virtual Terrace > The Sneaky Way to Expand |
|
|
Rank | Posts | Team |
Player Coach | 654 | No Team Selected |
Joined | Service | Reputation |
Mar 2009 | 16 years | |
Online | Last Post | Last Page |
Feb 2016 | Feb 2016 | LINK |
Milestone Posts |
|
Milestone Years |
|
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...
|
|
|
|
Rank | Posts | Team |
International Star | 2649 | No Team Selected |
Joined | Service | Reputation |
Jan 2011 | 14 years | |
Online | Last Post | Last Page |
May 2014 | May 2012 | LINK |
Milestone Posts |
|
Milestone Years |
|
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.
|
|
|
|
Rank | Posts | Team |
Player Coach | 654 | No Team Selected |
Joined | Service | Reputation |
Mar 2009 | 16 years | |
Online | Last Post | Last Page |
Feb 2016 | Feb 2016 | LINK |
Milestone Posts |
|
Milestone Years |
|
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.
|
|
|
|
Rank | Posts | Team |
International Star | 2649 | No Team Selected |
Joined | Service | Reputation |
Jan 2011 | 14 years | |
Online | Last Post | Last Page |
May 2014 | May 2012 | LINK |
Milestone Posts |
|
Milestone Years |
|
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?
|
|
|
|
|
Rank | Posts | Team |
Player Coach | 2490 | |
Joined | Service | Reputation |
Feb 2007 | 18 years | |
Online | Last Post | Last Page |
Aug 2022 | Aug 2022 | LINK |
Milestone Posts |
|
Milestone Years |
|
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.
|
|
|
|
Rank | Posts | Team |
Player Coach | 18736 | No Team Selected |
Joined | Service | Reputation |
Jan 2006 | 19 years | |
Online | Last Post | Last Page |
Nov 2013 | Jan 2013 | LINK |
Milestone Posts |
|
Milestone Years |
|
Location |
|
Signature |
20672.jpg [color=#4000FF:3cyxr5nr]RLFans.com Soccer Prediction League Champion 2011/2012[/color:3cyxr5nr]
[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.
|
|
|
|
|
Rank | Posts | Team |
Club Owner | 33944 | No Team Selected |
Joined | Service | Reputation |
Mar 2004 | 21 years | |
Online | Last Post | Last Page |
Mar 2016 | Mar 2016 | LINK |
Milestone Posts |
|
Milestone Years |
|
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
|
|
|
|
Rank | Posts | Team |
Player Coach | 3414 | No Team Selected |
Joined | Service | Reputation |
Feb 2007 | 18 years | |
Online | Last Post | Last Page |
Jun 2024 | Aug 2022 | LINK |
Milestone Posts |
|
Milestone Years |
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
Rank | Posts | Team |
International Chairman | 12768 | No Team Selected |
Joined | Service | Reputation |
Dec 2001 | 23 years | |
Online | Last Post | Last Page |
Sep 2024 | Sep 2022 | LINK |
Milestone Posts |
|
Milestone Years |
|
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
|
|
|
|
Rank | Posts | Team |
Club Owner | 12006 | No Team Selected |
Joined | Service | Reputation |
Jul 2003 | 21 years | |
Online | Last Post | Last Page |
Mar 2019 | Oct 2014 | LINK |
Milestone Posts |
|
Milestone Years |
|
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.
|
|
|
|
Rank | Posts | Team |
International Star | 1869 | No Team Selected |
Joined | Service | Reputation |
Jul 2010 | 14 years | |
Online | Last Post | Last Page |
May 2018 | Apr 2018 | LINK |
Milestone Posts |
|
Milestone Years |
|
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
|
|
|
|
Rank | Posts | Team |
Player Coach | 769 | No Team Selected |
Joined | Service | Reputation |
Nov 2006 | 18 years | |
Online | Last Post | Last Page |
Sep 2017 | Jun 2017 | LINK |
Milestone Posts |
|
Milestone Years |
|
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.
|
|
|
|
Rank | Posts | Team |
Club Coach | 519 | No Team Selected |
Joined | Service | Reputation |
Jan 2005 | 20 years | |
Online | Last Post | Last Page |
Dec 2015 | Dec 2015 | LINK |
Milestone Posts |
|
Milestone Years |
|
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.
|
|
|
|
Rank | Posts | Team |
Player Coach | 31335 | No Team Selected |
Joined | Service | Reputation |
May 2005 | 19 years | |
Online | Last Post | Last Page |
Jan 2015 | Nov 2014 | LINK |
Milestone Posts |
|
Milestone Years |
|
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.
|
|
|
|
Rank | Posts | Team |
Player Coach | 18736 | No Team Selected |
Joined | Service | Reputation |
Jan 2006 | 19 years | |
Online | Last Post | Last Page |
Nov 2013 | Jan 2013 | LINK |
Milestone Posts |
|
Milestone Years |
|
Location |
|
Signature |
20672.jpg [color=#4000FF:3cyxr5nr]RLFans.com Soccer Prediction League Champion 2011/2012[/color:3cyxr5nr]
[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.
|
|
|
|
|
|