G'Day all, I'm an aussie league nutter. I have taken an interest in English rugby league for some time now and recently upon visiting the Harlequins website I took note of some interesting facts and figures. I am aware that your clubs average attendences are appalling, sometimes as low as 2500. I am also aware that there is somewhat of a partnership with the quins RUFC. I have noted that their crowds are averaging around the 15000 mark. I then looked at ticket prices. The quins RLFC are 5 pounds cheaper in most categories.

That then brought me to an idea. I cannot understand why the wuins do not give out free passes to games. I cannot understand why the rugby league club does not offer free entry to their games for the Union clubs season ticket holders or host more double headers to boost attendences. There is nothing like Rugby league. Its fast and exciting and in many areas around the world, it is converting fans from the dull and boring union. If the your club does not improve next season I think the RFL will put an end to the franchise. It just looks disgraceful.

Nothing concrete no, just a few "whistles in the wind" from various sources.

I don't think David Hughes will be around too much longer, surely his business roles etc are winding up for retirement soon and I can't see him pumping money to us anymore if thats the case.

I truly would love to see Quins flourish and it still amazes me to some extent how with the population of London its been such a struggle to get fans to games. I know we've been through this plenty of times so I won't dig this up...Football and rugby union etc are the bigger sports in the south and as such RL struggles to get numbers and interest to the masses...but the fact that numbers and interest in RL continue to rise year on year in the north - as well as football etc. proves that the culture of London isn't open minded to accepting new sports.

The tactics need to change and to get the mind set of locals in and around London to take notice of the sport has to be the focus. I'm not saying I know the answers, however posters, flyers etc aren't the way forward....half end up in the bin or ignored.

The culture of RL needs to get into schools, colleges, universities, youth centres etc.....anywhere that we can (excuse the term) but "groom" people into appreciating what the sport has to offer has to be the first point of call. That is how its worked in the north....these young people will hopefully begin taking the sport up, watching it on tele, attending games etc...who in turn in the future will raise families into a house hold that watch and effectively "grow up" with the game.. The trouble is - how do we a) find the money to employee enough community workers to make a difference and b) change things in time for the current London franchise to continue in Superleague.

I'm all for the Quins tie-up....as I believe at the time/at present it was the only option left for us to survive...but as a rugby fan in general (I don't need blinkers - so enjoy both union and league) 90% of the Quins union fans (unfortunatley) are so anti-league that they aren't willing to listen to anyone tell them to give it a chance. As such the general London public think Quins is a union team....just like I'm sure they thought London Broncos were an American football team.

A name, brand and "effective" marketing push needs to be pushed that will be obvious to the general public of what sport and product we are. Hey, I don't have the answers...so I'm not knocking the club or being big-headed...it just concerns me, like all of you, that we're stuttering along like a 30 yr old car just about starting each morning.

The youth development is slowly but surely working and over time we'll begin to see these talented youngster make the grade, but again....will it be too late for the current guise? I truly believe the RFL and Superleague in general want a southern based team to expand the game....but the responsibility of that lies with the club, supporters, media and RFL themselves...we just don't have the money or expertise to make it work to the level we all wish to be at.

hope DH reads this and realises how much RL in the south owes Him.

I agree.....David Hughes should go down in history as a London rugby league legend. If it wasn't for him we wouldn't have a team today to support.

Do one

There's a massive thread on Total RL about some games being played in Milton Keynes and one in Regents Park next season, as usual there's no sources, but also talk of a potential relocation to Milton Keynes or Oxford.