And still is the same - no mention of the cup game or Thursday.

then the obvious happens.

Even tougher with us as in the past we would bugger off as soon as we started to put down roots so there is a barrier in our way as people think "why bother"

Yep......and everyone who has said it must have been wrong...because we're doing fine as we are


Darth states that the club get exposure in the Local rags which is great, but I would still think that an exit poll at Twickenham station any evening would show that the majority of residents don't know that we exist. Even worse....the ones that do will be of the belief that we all turn up in flat caps with whippets.
The Unique Selling Point that Harlequins Rugby League have is the "family entertainment" factor. Soccer is either too expensive or too tribal, Union is more niche than we are (£45 for a ticket to Sundays game

), but we continue to accept the general apathy.
We have tried (and failed) to attract the amateur RL players as well as the kids we coach. Free tickets didn't work either.
So, what to do?
I for one would have a long hard look at Huddersfield Giants.
9,402 fans is the average for their 3 games this year at their place. Up from 6,197 for the correspending fixtures in 2008 and up from 5,886 in 2005.
Our figures are 2009: 3,560. 2008: 5,407 & 2005 4,633 so......we are heading in the wrong direction, whilst they are going the other way.
The fact that they have added 3,205 fans ON AVERAGE so far would point to them doing something right.

The fact that they have added 3,205 fans ON AVERAGE so far would point to them doing something right.'"

The London Paper publish a Page for "£18,850" and lite say a page is "£17,640"
Both recently reported a 30% increase in space sales but refused to publish their revenue figures. This points to them being on their @rses as they are having to give space away (IMO).
Let's face it, Metro (£27,989 for London Only))is a paper being read on the way into work and a fair few copies end up on office desk and are re-read at lunchtime...whilst the other 2 are read on the way home and left on the train at the journey's end........
Not sure of the benefit of blowing even half these rate card amounts on tomorrows chip wrappers..........
Interestingly, all of these papers will have pretty empty sports sections between July 4th (end of lions tour) and August 15th (start of wendyball)....I wonder what sports we will see championed during those 6 weeks?

Absolutely spot on...........and there lies the problem. Unless we can field a team who can perform well week-in, week-out (and by this I mean winning our home games, reaching the play-off`s and proving we are no longer a bunch of also rans) we will always struggle to build up a following, regardless of the amount of funds and effort thrown at marketing. Fans/potential fans who have attended over the years have become used to a cycle of inconsistent performances and will need some convincing that things can change......we will only add numbers on the gate if we can make a habit of winning at home.

Local professional football clubs are offering free attendance for all U16 over easter and one semi professional club U16s free for the rest of the seasong (3 home games).

This is what QRL are up against. Not only that trying to get round the M25 tomorrow night for the Cats will be interesting.

Blimey what`s happened at the BBC?........the sports website actually mentions our Thursday night game

......I need to go and lie down for a while

I left the club after seventeen years because I was sick of being treated badly by certain members of staff and because I despaired of the club ever really making any headway.

It took a great deal of soul-searching for me to walk away as the club had been a big part of my life for a long time. God, I even wore the gold Broncos tie-pin in my suit lapel at occasions all over the place! I came to the conclusion that the club would continue to plod along as it would always survive its occasional financial crises but that London as a connurbation was indifferent to rugby league in general and professional RL in particular. Add to this indifference that the club [uhas never made a penny in profit [/uand has been under-capitalised for significant portions of its chequered existance and you can see why it's in the state it is. It attempts to fight with one hand tied behind its back.

Ultimately only a sustained and large spend - particularly in marketing, advertising etc - and being in a position to challenge for honours will make a difference. Do I think it will work? Not unless things change big-time but I doubt that will happen so no. London as a city is sold on football mostly with anything else playing second fiddle (if it's lucky). Sorry to be so pessimistic but the thing doesn't work and probably never will...

Ashes Tour