Quote: Mike87 "oh do they? Well I've lived in Droylsden for 7 years and not met a single person who knows of the red devils'"
Maybe you should turn off your computer and go outside, then. I know a few people from in and around Droylsden. They're all aware of both the sport and our club.
Quote: Mike87 "I know Manchester giants have a basket ball team doesn't mean I'll go watch them, maybe if they are invited to a game and enjoy it you might just attract some new support, like I say just mearly knowing there is a certain sports team in a certain area doesn't mean they'll go and attend a game, you have to be attracted or invited.'"
I'm not suggesting otherwise. That's half my argument. The attraction has to be there, more than an invitation, in my experience. The attraction isn't there if the team's no good.
Quote: Mike87 "I don’t recall a big marketing campaign for the Wakefield game at all, I think pure hype from Koukash and first game of the season syndrome was the reason behind that crowd. I agree crowds did drop off because the team were sh*t, but when you’re failing to attract more than 2,600 for a CC game against Super League opposition you can’t blame the club for deciding to take such a game in the future on the road and use it as a marketing tool.'"
The whole "Red Devilution" thing in the build up to that was a marketing campaign, come and see the new era and all that. I know people who came to that game on the back of it who haven't been back since. As it is, I don't blame the club for trying something new and, believe it or not, I'm not dead set against it, although I'm not 100% keen on the idea. I just don't think it's the promised land people think it is.
Quote: Mike87 "Is there? What are you basing that statement on? I can accept the reason the vast majority of Salfordians won’t attend is apathy and 30 years of nonsense, but the majority of Manchester probably haven’t even heard of the Salford Red Devils and didn't even know the AJ Bell Stadium existing until the Class of 92 played a game there.'"
I'm basing it on Mancunians I know from watching other sports, who always look out for Salford's results, always ask me about everything and show a keen interest in the club. Mention that they should come to a game and have a look and suddenly the excuses start, or it's a flat out case of "naah, can't be d, maybe if they start doing well." I'm not denying there's people out there who don't know about the club or the stadium (I've been told FC United's new ground next to the motorway looks impressive a couple of times...) but from experience I wouldn't say it's the majority. The majority either won't come unless the team does well, or is in a big, important game, or would rather watch Wigan/Saints/Warrington. That's the big hurdle we need to get over.
Quote: Mike87 "I agree and this is obviously the number one priority, but I also see no harm in taking a historically poorly attended home game on the road 10 miles away and using it to attract a new demographic of supporter.'"
As I've already said, I'm not dead set against it and I can see why it's being done. And you know what? It could be a success and attract a load of new supporters who flock to the City of Salford Stadium on a regular basis. But it could just as easily attract people who go along for the novelty value with no interest in coming to another game or even just fall flat. That's the risk you take, though, I guess.