Quote: Michigan red "In terms of heritage I meant more go back to the start and play in the original colours, for me the nod to the Red Devils was a stroke of genius by the club as so many of us have called for it, now that they have it they don't seem to be happy. From the Docs point of view as the sole owner of the club he is trying too find a way too market the club/brand to a wider audience so putting Salford on would possibly alienate some fans. Those of us from Salford know it is Salford and that is who we support.'"
But branding means nothing without a team on the pitch. Look at Manchester United and, now they're winning things, City. They didn't have to rebrand themselves as non Manchester clubs to get people from all over the UK and the world to support them. They just needed success. In City's case, wealthy owners helped. A "brand" that was an absolute laughing stock has become one of the most successful clubs in the country. No need for a new name, or to drop "Manchester" or "City" from anything. Just a team capable of winning trophies.
Quote: Michigan red "You said it yourself, pot, kettle and black.'"
If you say so.
Quote: Michigan red "Do you not think the modernisation of the Salford club is a good thing? I do, there many more pros than the few cons, it is more media friendly, more marketable and I'd think more salable to players the club is looking too recruit.'"
I do think it's a good thing. The club's in a much better state than it was under Wilkinson. Doesn't mean you can't find the odd fault, here and there.
Quote: Michigan red "Too me the club needs to do more to celebrate the clubs brilliant ex players, make each home game a celebration of one ex player. I got shouted down when I suggested that when we played on St Davids day a couple of seasons ago we got the many ex great Welsh players down to introduce them too the new owners and stadium Apparently we should though celebrate St Patricks day and the long tradition we have of recruiting Irish players such as Andy (I once drunk a pint of Guinness so I'm Irish) O'Burgess.'"
I'da agree with that. St. Patrick's day had bugger all to do with us (and it's cack anyway) - something like your suggestion would, actually, be a good idea and have relevance to Salford RLFC. So will it happen? Probably not!
Quote: Michigan red "Is the club actively distancing itself from it's Salford connections? I don't see it that way but we shall have too agree too disagree on that.'"
To be fair, I don't think that myself. This only started because I'm fed up of seeing posts dismissing people who do hold such concerns. Although I'm slightly wary of the rebranding, as it does strike me as being like the organisations I mentioned in my previous post. I can understand people's concerns.
Quote: Michigan red "The team playing in Red at Barton is the same one who played in Red at the Willows in my eyes, they could re brand too Barton Bombers but you, I and everyone from Salford knows that the team is Salford. Look at the forced mergers in Australia, the same people still support the merged teams because they know that they are following their team.'"
Merged clubs aren't the same, though. The culture in Australia, the US and so on is completely different clubs are franchises, moved around at the whim of an owner. When the Brooklyn Dodgers moved to LA, people stopped supporting them. Despite the club shouting about how it was still the same franchise. Franchising is a dangerous thing and doesn't fit into the culture of sporting clubs in this country. Look at the reaction to mooted franchising in rugby league. And ask Gateshead and Sheffield fans what they think of it...
Quote: Michigan red "I can see why people would get annoyed yes, but are we going to have the crazy situation where they walk away and start a separate club start all over again as Salford? I'm not dismissing people as being negative as much as I might not agree I support anyone's right too have a differing opinion (I just chose sometimes to not bother with the limp brains behind those opinions), what I do say though is I think people need too be a little more appreciative of what someone is doing too save, expand and ultimately make our club self sustaining. I swear some would grumble if the Doc put £100 million in the bank too safe gaurd us for life, what only £100 million blah blah blah.'"
People might, although I doubt the support for such a club would be there. But if the club suddenly became the Manchester Red Devils, or North West Red Devils, I could see quite a few giving up. Again, for reasons mentioned in the previous post. To some, if the club no long represents the City of Salford, then it no longer represents them. That doesn't mean, however, that they have a limp brain. I think your last point on that paragraph is a bit of hyperbole, mind. I think people are appreciative of what's being done, but that doesn't mean they cannot question things. Blind faith is a dangerous thing.
Quote: Michigan red "I do see your point on the amount of bums on seats, but what the re brand is as much as anything is a marketing/sales driven decision, look at the headlines when we started the Devilution last year, the image the club now has following this will be a big contributing factor in getting Under Armour as the kit manufacturer. The new image sells, the old one just patently didn't.'"
I don't doubt that for a second. But the new image won't sell if the team carries on winning f**k all.
Quote: Michigan red "A concession I would like too have made was Salford woven into the fabric, pretty sure that would have been quite doable and would have kept so many people happy, I think that something like that is something that someone with acumen at the club should have sussed as it was being designed.'"
I agree with that. It seems like an oversight on something that so easily could have been done. We wouldn't then be having this discussion.
Quote: Michigan red "I do worry sometimes that the Doc is incredibly knee jerk and doesn't seem too have the best behind the scene advisers, what I'd hate was a cumulative effect of all the negativity too start to wear him down, I doubt he'd walk away but I could see him offering the club up for the best taker. The Doc obviously loves the club and I'd love too see him get a return on his investment, get full houses and see nothing but love and bonhomme from the various sections of fans - some is attainable some I'm afraid will never happen'"
I think patience is the key, from everyone from MK down to us rank and file supporters. It won't change overnight. I think the only thing that will turn MK off is if he doesn't get his own way and win trophy after trophy after trophy. But it'll take more than marketing, branding and any impact the club name has to get people flocking to the stadium. When he's holding the Challenge Cup aloft on the Wembley pitch? *That* will get them coming through the turnstiles.
