Remember that slander/libel discussion we had earlier?

I hope David Hughes isn't reading this. He blows 1 - 1.5 million a year on our entertainment and apparently the most important thing is what alcohol we choose to drink. Puts the future of London RL into perspective really. BTW unless he has moved David drinks in XXXX (not naming it as he probably fancies a quiet drink without getting ear bashed about our name/ground/colours), Madonna's ex local (no it's not owned by Guy Ritchie), and a well known real ale boozer.

What's your point?

Yes Dave we would all like to know what is your point!

I know he is always sharpening it! Are we flogging a dead horse with this Bronco debate?

I think, Harlequins/Broncos should be put down gracefully and with dignity, its not worked, even in the early 80's there was Invicta at Maidstone, that never worked, so we have to be realistic and say that there ia a North/South divide as regards to Rugby, North is League and South is Union. I may sound like a flatcapper, i think i'm a realist.

Jeff

Yes, from a team that do not have their own ground, import expensive aussies and nick owners and players off a team who need them more than they do. nb there are more Sky RL tv fans in London than Wigan. Thanks for your comments.

But them Sky RL tv fans, do they go to Harlequins and help support them?

To be honest I think this name change is the start of the potential winding down of the club in three years time. David Hughes is on record as saying he will fund us for three more seasons. Given he is retiring it seems unlikely he will single handedly fund us beyond that point. Meaning that unless funding appears in the next three years the future of the club is somewhat murky beyond that point. (It should be remembered that David has been appealing for other investors to come forward since Virgin pulled out, there hasn't exactly been a stampede of people willing to help.)

So in three years time Quins RU were staring down the barrel of a team called Quins RL potentially ceasing to exist. Not good news for the image / brand. Could it be that Quins RU have asked us to change name to avoid this scenario - or that David Hughes is just a top bloke and has decided to change it to spare Quins RU potential embarrassment further down the line?

I know many posters are pleased to be returning to London Broncos identity but to me this looks suspiciously like the beginning of the end. If anyone knows any RL friendly millionaires David awaits the call and I sincerely hope to be proven wrong.

Schools in traditional league areas are now playing more union areas than ever and in the South there is more league played in schools than ever. I would not say it was realism to say there was a north/south divide, I would say that it was oversimplifying the issue, but it is fair to say that last year the three northern Aviva Premiership sides did struggle on and off the field, and the single southern (English) Engage Super League side suffered on and off the field.

How many Man Utd fans living in London went to watch West Ham, Fulham, Crystal Palace, QPR, Charlton, Wimbledon, etc It is not as easy as saying figures have shown there have on occasions been more fans watching SL fixtures in the South than in the North, and therefore Harlequins should have the highest gate, but they should attempt to tempt them to games by offering free tickets through Sky Rewards and show them, or remind them that SL is something that is worth attending live in London.

Then do we do the same with Salford, Wakefield perhaps even Hull KR the list goes on! I bet there is only Wigan and Leeds that pay their way, so it is not just London that is a get out it is the game in general, should it ever have gone full time? why was the Sky money wasted from day one on purely players wages and nothing else! yes some players yes did deserve better pay but there were far too many average players on high salaries lots more than the average worker!

Have you seen some of the attendances in The Championship? real heartland clubs can't get higher attendances than Sheffield now get?

Finally if you really are a True Realist and not a closeted Flat Capper, what a certain team called Wigan Warriors who no longer own their own ground, what would happen if Mr Whelan pulled the exit door open (not as if he could afford to do it currently 16,000 in the Premiership a Joke) and kick the Rugby League team out? could you afford a ground, Yes You do get amazing crowds and I praise your marketing team highly for what they do but I bet even you need the Sky money! who are the Governors of our game, without them we are once again semi pro! that is realism!

Whelan, can't kick us out just yet. Think we have a contract for 25 yrs. Wigan Athletic need us in that stadium. I agree with you, all SL teams need Sky money. Granted you have done wonders with the kids down there, but again are they attending matches or they off watching footie instead.

Who says Whelan can't get rid of you! don't make me laugh! there is no contract these days that is water tight and if he ever decided you were ruining his special football team's chance you would be out on your backsides before you can say PIES!
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Even St Helens with all it's great success can pull in the crowds that you do at Wigan and I'm not just talking about this season! there are about FOUR TEAMS! that can bring in weekly 10,000 plus attendances which is a disgrace all the money that has come into the game! I don't bury my head in the sand yes we have problems in London, but it is going to take a winning team and some stability for us to then start to really market the game as it should have been done since the start, that is as much a fault of the RFL as the owners we have had.

* 19,169 at Wigan tonight for The Big One, again their marketing works!

No the kids are often playing RLthe same time as Quins, and if games do finish before 2.00 given the distance many have to travel cannot get to the Stoop for 3.--pm kick offs.