Quote: Dunbar "By what percentage do you think the costs of London Welsh have increased over the same period? I would think 500% would be very conservative. The owners and board of Welsh will no doubt be loving their time in the Premiership from a profile and success perspective but I don’t think the balance sheet would make very pretty reading'"
London Welsh have increased their crowds and no doubt their spend (probably by more)........but they have increased their crowds, which is what was under debate.
Quote: Dunbar "As for the crowds themselves, I would be interested on your take on the fall off in attendances in the Premiership overall. This time last year, we were all debating whether the World Cup in NZ was having an impact on the Union crowds but they are falling away dramatically this year without any particular influencer?'"
It'll be rolled out as "it's the olympics fault" or something like that, but in reality, they'll be scratching their heads wondering why. I would say they have yet to understand their place on the pecking order of club sport........which is below soccers 3rd tier and that they need to sort out their pricing structures. To a certain extent, they need to stop believing their own hype.....just because the RFU can fill twickenham, doesn't mean that Exeter v London Welsh will create the same interest. When I was home last week I noticed that tickets for England v FIJI were on offerfor 40 notes each.....even the internationals will start to struggle.
Quote: Dunbar "How on earth is London Broncos relevant to this conversation in any way?'"
You were debating the crowds at a union club....I simply pointed out that fans in glass houses should ease off with the stone throwing. I am a die hard Broncos fan, but even I admit that London Welsh have crowds we would kill for.