FORUMS > London Broncos > Oliver Wilkes |
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1649_1338292262.jpg I have followed the LONDON CLUB since I was in my teensl even though born in St Helens and still live nearby and went to the first game at Fulham, also Big West Ham Supporter:d7dc4b20b2c2dd7b76ac6eac29d5604e_1649.jpg |
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| Quote: REDWHITEANDBLUE "Please remind me what grade license you got? ours was a C'"
C and we well know what we have to put right and are working on it!
Time will tell over your new ground!
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2358_1651040874.jpg Wakefield TRINITY:d7dc4b20b2c2dd7b76ac6eac29d5604e_2358.jpg |
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| Quote: bellycouldtackle "As a Wakefield fan I would like to offer my support to London RL / Quins. I think the most impressive fact is the trmendous growth in the numbers of people playing the game in the London area. I am told that there are now more people playing RL in London area that in Yorkshire, Lancs and Cumbria put together, Numbers palying the game in London continues to grow whilst numbers drop in the North. Who knows the way things are going RL will be a game of the M25 corridor with the M62 an expansion region within a couple of generations. Good luck to London / Quins, RL needs you more than some of us in the North understands.'"
I have to agree.
Quins is my favourite away game and I would like to see them prosper if only for that
reason.
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| Quote: markrammond "Wakefield continue to play in a Stadium that was entirely paid for by Wakefield Athletic Club back in 1895 and was originally designed for a variety of purposes including cycling and athletics and over 116 years the Stadium is clearly not of a modern standard.
One of the main reasons is that a high proportion of supporters are left uncovered in all weathers, something that club recognized in their application several years ago in which they cunningly employed an imaginative architect to draw a modern stadium despite the fact that the club had none of the resources to deliver this 'castle in the sky'.
Surprise, surprise, once it became clear that the licence was probably the 16th strongest and behind all the other 13 SL clubs, Widnes and Halifax there was suddenly a panic to start to deliver some of the empty promises made.
In a borough of less than 77,000 people it is clear that Wakefield Council could not on its own invest in a substantial new development and the private backers in the ground could not afford to upgrade whilst still providing a competitive squad.
Do they not collect taxes from the other 250k that live in the mdc?
Perhaps the best 13 players in the Wakefield squad at the start of 2010 wereIncorrect - Obst,Ferguson,Millard,Jeffries left after admin.Newton was banned.
The club has a support base of under 5000 as shown by home games against the likes of Crusaders and Salford and is able to attract crowds of only 5000-6000 against the likes of Warrington, St Helens and Hull with only two strong gates a season against Castleford and Leeds.
6428 against Crusaders, 6823 against Salford
For the only show in town and for over 100+ years in the same location, that is around 100 supporters for every year in existence.
Harlequins RL, which is privately backed by an oil trader whom has been in situ since the last Millennium as had the majority of its off-field problems caused by the RFL allowing the majority share owner to join Wigan Warriors and then allowing him to neither invest further funds in the club nor forcing his hand to sell the shares. This state of near suspended animation was getting close to three full years until last year when David Hughes finally forced the issue.
It is also true the playing squad has disgracefully declined to a non SL standard during the past three years, although we have not finished bottom in any of our 16 years in Super League, so have not been at real risk of relegation, save for 2005, when the clubs voted we could shed the debts - remember, the other clubs VOTED. We did not vote, nor did the RFL.
In terms of the RFL investment, this is part of the £30 million Sport England grant, in.... England! There are two halves of England. The entire south of England needs support.
It was well recognized by the RFL that there mere tokenism, e.g. one development officer per county across large counties was not going to really deliver the participation levels necessary to get a grant, so the money is being invested to grow the game.
It is perhaps unnoticeable in the North, as the market has matured and the support is not appreciated, but for certain it also exists.
I find Wakefield internet commentators to be rude, angry and obnoxious people on the internet, and their kids worse in the ground, but do believe the adult population is reasonably well balanced on a match day and wish them well in developing and modernizing their club.
I am sure they will be chuffed that they have signed Andy Ellis and Oliver Wilkes, but it is also obvious that Rob Powell and the Harlequins did not want these players, after all there are only four games to go, and these players would not have waited for a deal with a club whom benefitted from freak luck and were unbackable favourites to be removed.
Like us in 2009-2011 you are scrabbling around, looking for out of contract players and cast-offs, so we wish you will.
Your enemy, should you need one is the RFL.
We simply support our club. Should it be in 2014 you have a stronger licence application then we wish you well. We will be behind London Rugby League no matter what the name, colours, ground or league.
You will note with some horror that we have averaged over 4000 for four of our last seven home games this season (despite only 6 home wins in two years, of which two were against Wakefield) so we are not quite moribund, in fact I remain confident we will have as many hardcore supporters as you next season (4500-5000) although not benefitting from the geographic locality as you do with away fans.
Cheers
Mark'"
Dont let the facts get in the way of a good story.
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| Quote: markrammond "Wakefield continue to play in a Stadium that was entirely paid for by Wakefield Athletic Club back in 1895 and was originally designed for a variety of purposes including cycling and athletics and over 116 years the Stadium is clearly not of a modern standard.
One of the main reasons is that a high proportion of supporters are left uncovered in all weathers, something that club recognized in their application several years ago in which they cunningly employed an imaginative architect to draw a modern stadium despite the fact that the club had none of the resources to deliver this 'castle in the sky'.
Surprise, surprise, once it became clear that the licence was probably the 16th strongest and behind all the other 13 SL clubs, Widnes and Halifax there was suddenly a panic to start to deliver some of the empty promises made.
In a borough of less than 77,000 people it is clear that Wakefield Council could not on its own invest in a substantial new development and the private backers in the ground could not afford to upgrade whilst still providing a competitive squad.
Perhaps the best 13 players in the Wakefield squad at the start of 2010 were
The majority of that post is utter claptrap!
The rest is bitter opinion.
Cheers
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1649_1338292262.jpg I have followed the LONDON CLUB since I was in my teensl even though born in St Helens and still live nearby and went to the first game at Fulham, also Big West Ham Supporter:d7dc4b20b2c2dd7b76ac6eac29d5604e_1649.jpg |
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| Quote: The Clan "The majority of that post is utter claptrap!
The rest is bitter opinion.
Cheers'"
IF any of us had the audacity to go and Preach such rubbish on the Wakefield board just think the reaction we would get.
It does not interest me in visiting the Wakefield board, yes I do visit St Helens because that is were I was born, but I find it strange the number of clubs supporters who feel the need to come here and to preach.
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| The attendances are on slstats.org just click on Wakefield 2011 and attendances. The prime data on 'Wakefield' is on the census, although there is also mention of a far wider catchment which is presumably shared with the two other clubs in the five mile radius. Ben Jefferies was released mid season and no sincere attempt has been made to replace the majority who have left.
Remind me, why would I be bitter towards Wakefield? The place genuinely means nothing to me. I've only ever been there to watch London and Harlequins, don't wish it ill nor well.
What does surprise me is that people from Wakefield either seem to deny why their licence was in jeopardy or even are suggesting some kind of entitlement to an SL place.
I would suggest that this club is the weakest supported in SL from the three biggest areas of Yorkshire, Humberside and the few miles where Wigan, Warrington, Widnes and St Helens are. It is only slightly bigger than Salford, Crusaders and Quins for attendances but two are from football towns and the other a rugby union town.
It seems that Wakefield feel they can troll rival supporters boards and spit out their bile. The pixels on my screen don't bother me but don't feel we are weak and will sit there to be antagonised. Boys, I too grew up with Rugby League and feel you have no more entitlement to a view than anyone else.
Mark
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1649_1338292262.jpg I have followed the LONDON CLUB since I was in my teensl even though born in St Helens and still live nearby and went to the first game at Fulham, also Big West Ham Supporter:d7dc4b20b2c2dd7b76ac6eac29d5604e_1649.jpg |
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| There is going to be a lot of discussion if as Richard Lewis suggests and a few chairman seem to want Super League goes down to 12 teams in the future, having to get rid of two current teams definitely and perhaps Three if Halifax were granted a licence!
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| Quote: jaybs "There is going to be a lot of discussion if as Richard Lewis suggests and a few chairman seem to want Super League goes down to 12 teams in the future, having to get rid of two current teams definitely and perhaps Three if Halifax were granted a licence!'"
The not so hidden point of dropping to 12 teams is that it would mean only 11 top flight English clubs which in my opinion is way too few!
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| I'm surprised that the anti-expansionists never seem to have a bone to pick with Catalans?
They do nothing in my opinion for the English game, even fewer supporters than Quins and Crusaders, it costs more than a season ticket to get there, no English players etc.
At least ourselves and Crusaders are bringing players through for England and are friendly to away supporters.
Cheers
Mark
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1649_1338292262.jpg I have followed the LONDON CLUB since I was in my teensl even though born in St Helens and still live nearby and went to the first game at Fulham, also Big West Ham Supporter:d7dc4b20b2c2dd7b76ac6eac29d5604e_1649.jpg |
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| Quote: The Clan "The not so hidden point of dropping to 12 teams is that it would mean only 11 top flight English clubs which in my opinion is way too few!'"
The TRUTH is GREED! it would mean More Money to the 12 teams competing! plain and simple
Though Lewis was none committal about Sky and number of clubs, I would have thought if the number of games were reduced they would want to negotiate a reduction in the fee paid.
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| I agree Jay, I don't trust the RFL or Richard Lewis to do the right thing for the game anymore.
I would give a place to anyone who is sincere in wanting to do well such as Crusaders, Leigh, Halifax, Barrow, Toulouse and South Wales.
You would have a 20 team top league, but not all would play twice each season, a little like the NRL.
The little teams like Quins and the rest would still get their shot at the big boys and you'd give another 100+ Englishmen a professional career.
You could then bring in relegation for the bottom team providing that the co-op team was full time.
Cheers
Mark
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Quote: markrammond "The attendances are on slstats.org just click on Wakefield 2011 and attendances. The prime data on 'Wakefield' is on the census, although there is also mention of a far wider catchment which is presumably shared with the two other clubs in the five mile radius. Ben Jefferies was released mid season and no sincere attempt has been made to replace the majority who have left.
www.slstats.org/t1/Wakefield+Trinity+Wildcats/2011/Summary.html
The stats certainly are there and show how far out you were.
www.wakefield.gov.uk/AboutWakefield/Research/PopulationAndCensus/default.htm
How about that census?
your comment that the council couldnt invest due to less than 77000 people is quite simply incorrect.
I presume you are bringing Jeffries into the equation after your poor attempt at naming the players that were ]supposedly released to avoid going into admin.
And just how exactly was the new owner supposed to make "a sincere attempt to replace the players?Most players were already under contract,the only ones left were loans and fringe players.]
Remind me, why would I be bitter towards Wakefield? The place genuinely means nothing to me. I've only ever been there to watch London and Harlequins, don't wish it ill nor well.
What does surprise me is that people from Wakefield either seem to deny why their licence was in jeopardy or even are suggesting some kind of entitlement to an SL place.
I would suggest that this club is the weakest supported in SL from the three biggest areas of Yorkshire, Humberside and the few miles where Wigan, Warrington, Widnes and St Helens are. It is only slightly bigger than Salford, Crusaders and Quins for attendances but two are from football towns and the other a rugby union town.
It seems that Wakefield feel they can troll rival supporters boards and spit out their bile. The pixels on my screen don't bother me but don't feel we are weak and will sit there to be antagonised. Boys, I too grew up with Rugby League and feel you have no more entitlement to a view than anyone else.
Mark'"
I dont believe you have been bitter towards Wakefield,i think you should just try and get your facts correct or you come across as a fool.
Youve also critisized Catalans ,suggesting they have fewer supporters than Quins and Crusaders??????
www.slstats.org/t44/Catalan+Drag ... mmary.html
Anyway i will leave to your board as you clearly dont take kindly to been corrected.
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Quote: markrammond "The attendances are on slstats.org just click on Wakefield 2011 and attendances. The prime data on 'Wakefield' is on the census, although there is also mention of a far wider catchment which is presumably shared with the two other clubs in the five mile radius. Ben Jefferies was released mid season and no sincere attempt has been made to replace the majority who have left.
www.slstats.org/t1/Wakefield+Trinity+Wildcats/2011/Summary.html
The stats certainly are there and show how far out you were.
www.wakefield.gov.uk/AboutWakefield/Research/PopulationAndCensus/default.htm
How about that census?
your comment that the council couldnt invest due to less than 77000 people is quite simply incorrect.
I presume you are bringing Jeffries into the equation after your poor attempt at naming the players that were ]supposedly released to avoid going into admin.
And just how exactly was the new owner supposed to make "a sincere attempt to replace the players?Most players were already under contract,the only ones left were loans and fringe players.]
Remind me, why would I be bitter towards Wakefield? The place genuinely means nothing to me. I've only ever been there to watch London and Harlequins, don't wish it ill nor well.
What does surprise me is that people from Wakefield either seem to deny why their licence was in jeopardy or even are suggesting some kind of entitlement to an SL place.
I would suggest that this club is the weakest supported in SL from the three biggest areas of Yorkshire, Humberside and the few miles where Wigan, Warrington, Widnes and St Helens are. It is only slightly bigger than Salford, Crusaders and Quins for attendances but two are from football towns and the other a rugby union town.
It seems that Wakefield feel they can troll rival supporters boards and spit out their bile. The pixels on my screen don't bother me but don't feel we are weak and will sit there to be antagonised. Boys, I too grew up with Rugby League and feel you have no more entitlement to a view than anyone else.
Mark'"
I dont believe you have been bitter towards Wakefield,i think you should just try and get your facts correct or you come across as a fool.
Youve also critisized Catalans ,suggesting they have fewer supporters than Quins and Crusaders??????
www.slstats.org/t44/Catalan+Drag ... mmary.html
Anyway i will leave to your board as you clearly dont take kindly to been corrected.
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| I was talking about Catalans supporters who go to English games. After all it doesn't matter if they get 1000, 10,000 or 100,000 in France. It seems all the critics from the Northern villages always pick out London and Wales to have a go at, but not France. I don't know why they don't include them in their tirade? I don't mind any of the clubs, but I can't understand the logic of the anti-expansionists, they either hate all the clubs or like some but not others? Or is it all attendance based dislike?
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| Quote: "I'm surprised that the anti-expansionists never seem to have a bone to pick with Catalans?
They do nothing in my opinion for the English game, even fewer supporters than Quins and Crusaders, it costs more than a season ticket to get there, no English players etc.
'"
Is it the English SL or European?
Just a point for clarification
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| It might as well be called the Northern Union 1895 village mob & unwanted guests from London and Wales. The ESL bit is meaningless to people who think the league should stay the same forever.
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