O/T remind me again why Harlequins are in SL ?

Quote: rosetintedspecs "As a Quins fan - a lot stayed away last night because they are sick and tired of the dross on the field week in week out and the only hope of the club listening is walking away for a SKY game and leaving just a few there. We have absolutely fantastic expansion work going on all around London and it has the biggest growth of any team in SL. We have kids coming through the ranks that had never heard of RL 5 years ago. The southern development of RL is second to none in this area. However we started the season with a major player who didn't come back from Oz. Wells, Purdham, Temata, Orr, Dorn, Ellis all seniot players and all out injured before the season even started. Wells has since retired through injury, all the others are still out and to add to it we have had three minor players out injured. This is not an excuse as a number of fans believe the better players like, CLubb, LMS, Melling have gone backwards. We had 5 players knocking on the door for England, Melling, Clubb, LMS, Orr and Purdham and I don't think any of these players would get a look in now. Time for a new coach, the office staff have got things on line and moving along, the team of talent we have is good local talent maybe the coaching has something wrong somewhere. It will work itself through - all teams have bad patches and this is ours. We are in SL because we have never finished bottom of the league and are able to show the best expansion of any team in the league. Give us a break and don't forget you all live next door to each so travel to each others games in large numbers which helps to swell your crowds. On a plus side the team did well last night against a very on form Huddersfield and we saw some of the long lost thing called passion.'"

Speaking as a fan of a club that were in a similar position (in the league) to yours and watching a similarly poor quality of performance just 4 years ago I think that the stay away approach is not what is needed. In 2006 our attendances as everyone knows went up despite the fact that we were rooted to the bottom with only a single win well into the campaign. Yes we then made a couple of important signings in Dobson and Fielden but the increase in support and the impetus provided by this home support also helped to boost the confidence of an underperforming team and can help turn a home ground into the imposing fortress it should be.

Quins may not be able to make signings to improve the squad but the return of the injured players when it happens can have the same effect. Without the crowd to roar them on and show that they care about the club what is there to motivate the players to up their game and to help the likes of LMS, Clubb et al to regain their confidence and rediscover old form. If even the hardcore of your support have given up and are seen to have done so by the men who walk out into a stadium and see empty seats where the most loyal and regular support are supposed to be when they play then what is there to tell them not to give up.

If fans are unhappy with the coach, the style of play, player recruitment, the board or whatever else then write to the club, phone them, take banners and placards to games if you want to to make your feelings heard. Whatever makes them happy. People doing these things may be thought of as a pest or disloyal by some other fans but at least they would still be willing to turn up and support the players.

Your club recieved a warning over attendance prior to the season so at least needs to maintain its average. The last thing they need is people deliberately not turning up. A noticable drop in attendance (despite what figure is given over the PA system) due to fans staying away in protest is going to be noted and there comes a time when London club or not your presence in the top flight cannot be justified or as far as the club is concerned financially maintained. Fans of other clubs are going to notice it and while there are other clubs outside of SL that have better attendances and meet the accepted criteria for entry they will question your club's position and right to be part of the exclusive elite. The RFL were happy for you to be outside the top flight up until 15 years ago and were happy with you simply existing as a means to development. It would be folly to think that you cannot be demoted for reasons of development. The RLC is a development league with clubs in the south west and midlands none of whom have or need a SL club (or a semi pro club) to exist or continue (Nottingham's club is thriving to name just one). If you are to maintain your place in SL then the club and the players need their supporters to attend the games.

Finally on your claim to be the most successfully expanded expansion team I would say that Catalans Dragons have that honour with a challenge cup final appearance, 3rd place in the league and a playoff semi final in the last 3 years as well as an average home gate 7000 higher than yours.