Sorry I missed your post but I agree with all of that and well said, because in the general context of the game nationally never mind the sport in Hull we just cannot afford to reduce the profile of RL anywhere.

When you add too, that here in Hull, both clubs sets of fans have benefitted in the past (when times were bad) from constructive targeted comment and even criticism which sends a message to the clubs and animates in the media exactly what the fans are thinking and saying, it is a pretty compelling arguement. Let's face it papers as such will disappear altogether before long, so Social media marketing is these days is everything.

Products, whatever they, are rely on engagement and awareness through social media more and more and measure their success as far as engaging customers is concerned by the number of hits they get on their adverts and sites and in this case their related stories.

Well i've done a bit of digging cos I'm really concerned about this one and it might surprise you to know that our two clubs should be concerned too, as they will be missing a massive 500,000 page views on their clubs stories, that talk directly about their brand, every month.

That is a massive opportunity to keep the clubs in the minds of the fans and to enthuse and engage with potential new customers. I'm told from your club over there in the east that some there recognise that and efforts are being made to put together an additional advertising package with the paper to facilitate some coverage continuing. But as you say you've already seen what an effect losing your dedicated correspondent has had on you media exposure. Our lot however don't seem to be doing much at all, although I'm told all is not quite lost yet but with just a week to go to Tomlinson leaving and the Rovers correspondent long gone, time is running out!!!!

Great to see HDM (Reach) paying Matt Shaw to Tenerife to follow Rovers camp.

Bet Appleyard is really happy about that.

You aware Joe Appleyard left the employment of the HDM a few weeks ago, aren't you ?

I believe he already has alternative employment still within his chosen field, including i believe one day a week working with Richard Horne at Doncaster doing all the media stuff from there.

I don't think you get the point, making people unemployed then paying aload of money to send someone abroad .

If that was a company I'd worked for I wouldn't be very happy. It not as if reporting on this trip is essential.

Rovers fanboy (Shaw) probably won't think like that!

I guess with the wide list of clubs he covers he's been kept on. Rovers have indicated that they see the value of a dedicated local media reporter and wanted to help who's to say they are not paying him or helping with paying him to go? constant news about the squad and how its going out there will sell a few seasons for them I guess. Our lot, incidentally, were not interested.

For me I don’t see any real value or benefit for either club paying for an advertising package to supplement coverage other than getting a few articles per week return.
In all honesty the articles would in effect be sponsored/paid by the club so there would little in terms of independent sports journalism to ask awkward and probing questions if/when needed.

For me I’d be more tempted to use any money to create a much more professional club media brand that truly engages the fan base. Then tie fans based marketing arm in to this and focus on attracting new fans to the club.

Whilst having RL news and club stories in the HDM I’m not sure it does an awful lot in attracting fans to either club from having a passing interest.

With the changes in broadcasting the games from this season it leaves Hull FC kind of redundant so why not look at offering a subscription based news outlet, with quality in depth news etc.
im sure there’d be a strong take up for such a service if priced right etc.

hull fc have lost the plot engaging with the fans,i get a weekly email from doncaster rl telling me how things are going at that club[ why i dont know].i get nothing from hull fc.they never even wished fans a merry christmas and happy new year on website this year.always have before.

Yeh I get all that and good points particularly about a subscription based news service run by the club, which could also cover for the now redundant match day programme and bring them some income. However I guess that the fact that the mail stories about Hull FC get half a million hits a month and are free access must rub off on some people, few brands whatever they represent would not turn that away, but I guess as an old 'en I just worry about any traditional media outlet being eroded because it is something I read every day and from what a lot of the kindred spirits I meet in Beverley say they will miss it too. (mind you they are all old as well As a rovers fan said earlier their stories before their Tenerife jolly have diminished considerably since their reporter has gone and its not that good since they have been out there accompanied by a reporter. However, all that said, for FC news all is not lost just yet as following extensive lobbying of those concerned a temporary extension has been granted to Dans contract!! but at present it is only temporary.

A friend of mine spoke to Dan yesterday, he has managed to get an extension to his job.

Ha Ha just amended my above thread to say that 3 months I believe.

I did wonder with hum churning out articles. Shaw will cover Rovers with Dan covering us

Its interesting to note to those Rovers fans that have commented on losing their dedicated reporter at the Mail and bemoaning the fact that their stories have dried up, (whilst Dan Tomlinson has had his stay of execution delayed for three months), that although they have 'assisted' with a Mail reporter travelling to camp with them all week, we have seen more stories about the FC than Rovers and today it equates to 5 to 1 three of which I found extremely interesting.

For me being a fan isn't all about winning or indeed losing but rather feeling part of what's going on and I really enjoy visiting the Mail pages as I do these (and the camaraderie there is on here) and the Yorkshire posts every day to read about the club I love, as do 500,000 other daily 'hits' of FC fans on the Mail site too apparently. I'd miss it if it disappeared and I'm pleased that it's continuing for a while at least.

Well you’ve only your own club to blame for it not continuing due to not being prepared to pay in. Tomlinson’s redundancy is paying for the extra 3 months he’s doing.

Really!