As long as Branson got publicity for himself and the Virgin brand he was happy - at least that's how it seemed to me.
Remember him at the CC final at Wembley, still makes me cringe!

Virgin didn't invest due to love of the game. Virgin invested to promote virgin, probably in the expectation that the game was on the verge of expansion, it never happened. Markets changed money goes elsewhere

When has Richard Branson done anything that does not involve promoting himself or Virgin Group.

At least Branson understood marketing and the importance of a match day experience. Indeed it was reported that it was the casual, party-like atmosphere that attracted him to invest alongside the potential he saw to develop RL crowds in London. We were a better run and more succesful club under his ownership than we have been with Hughes.

So you "stood us up" for the double date. Not, alas, to be. Because of the timings, Bongser's coach will probably be leaving before the 1895 anyway. But would have been nice, by pre-arrangement to have had a VERY expensive pint with one or two of you.

Point to be made here. When struggling (though eventually succeeding) to get Challenge Cup Final tickets, Bongser was put in mind of a post on this forum (passim - never find it) regarding discounted early bird tickets to the CCF, with further concessions if you said you were a member of the Armed Forces - think the post said, "It's not like you have to show them your gun or anything."

Bongser has since seen that all concessions must be proved upon entrance. Bongser-in-Law got ten quid off his ticket as he has a VALID NHS card.

If anyone on here bought a ticket on the original advice, they might need to buy a gun to go!

Please do (not) and (DO) cheer on Bongser's team!

Your season just gets better & better Bongser. I certainly didn't expect it & pretty sure you didn't either other than in your dreams. The double would be fun, anything that shoves 2 fingers at the supposedly big clubs is very satisfying. Good luck.

Cheers, DC. No Bongser did not expect it and, as far as his dreams went, staying up was the Holy Grail.

He finds himself in a strange position now. After previous SL seasons wherein losses were both expected and accepted, he is now TERRIFIED by the thought of a defeat. It has switched from "It's the hope that gets you" to something new and different that your correspondent cannot yet put a finger on.

Seems that wherever ones team is in league or cup, we fans are put through the mangle.

Just enjoy it while you can !!

I don't think I need to tell you which it is. Einstein had a theory about insanity and Hughes has steadfastly ignored marketing and promotion for every one of the last 15 years with a commitment that would be impressive if the outcome wasn't so depressing.
Even after stating that the target....his target apparently...was 5,000 fans as an average? He's continued to just stick posts in the ground....(at various locations) announce kick off time and expect punters to flock in.
In that inane release to promote the move to Plough lane, he even invited lapsed fans back, but without a hint of an apology. Then again, given they're "lapsed" he was probably preaching to the choir anyway and those missing 4,000 won't of heard his inane ramblings.
I have never doubted his commitment to the club, but he must surely realise that whilst he keeps them afloat, he is also the main reason they're drowning in the first place.

And that is the riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma that is London Broncos and it's owner

Think this calls for Hercule Poirot!

I don't really see much of a mystery. Hughes does not operate the club as a business. It is something he is willing to fund to a certain level but expenditure is not prioritised in activities that would grow the club and he gets what he pays for with his off field appointments (i.e. not a lot).The playing squad budget is primarily aimed at holding our position with some elbow room to add to the squad if it turns out to be too .

The level he is aiming for is mid-level insignificance.... 7th to 11th in the table each year.... 700 fans average... Then hope IMG wave a wand and magic up another 4300 people

Will be up in Club Wembley with BT junior cheering on Leopards Bongser. One slight dampener. I have just asked Jnr his pick for the Cup and he has gone with Leopards. As his strike rate is 0 out of 5 cup finals this is looking a little bleak for the boys in leopard skin.

It's the exceptions that prove the rules, BT (Senior). 7.30am coach from LSV so should manage a few libations before KO. Maybe we'll meet?