I think more of that was to do with the (then) people running the RFL's false idea that people would just turn up to games without the need for advertising because of the fact that it was RL. In reality, that was never going to happen, and the idea behind these bid teams is to ensure that the host areas are interested and willing to market these games to their local areas.

I am interested to know what sort of crowd they think they could get in Bristol and for what sort of game they are looking for. And also, what sort of crowds the RFL are targeting for certain games. Some of the lower-ranked games will obviously be expected to get lower attendances, and will having these in the heartlands mean they'll get bigger attendances because they are RL games (in an already concentrated area) or lower because of apathy towards the lower ranked games?

The posts from Bristol are fantastic, and clearly show that the area has got, in spades, the one thing money can't buy, and that is an enthusiastic, "can-do" attitude. This alone would make a game staged down there a success, because clearly there are already large numbers that have already "bought in" to the concept.

I would certainly hope that if the detailed bid stands scrutiny, these people would get the reward that such enthusiasm richly deserves. The knee-jerk doom-mongers are few, and can rightly be dismissed, because the fact is that early and 'minnow' games have not been well attended in the 'heartlands' in the past - and that is almost totally down to a lack of enthusiasm on the part of those who should have been promoting each of those games.

To misquote somebody, "Build it up well enough, and they will come".

Cannot believe some of the negative and doom-laden posts on this thread.



What we have been told about the bid suggests that a great deal of preparation has gone into it, and that there is a head of steam that would likely make it a success. So long as the bid stands up to proper RL scrutiny, and not just a lot of pie-in-the-sky then I hope that they are given a decent game to work with.

As others have said, putting on a game in the heartlands in absolutely no guarantee of success, as we have seen all too often. So, its great to have an enthusiastic and well planned bid from a new area

Good luck to them, I say

This bid has something that the 2000 world cup didnt have and that is backers of sporting teams and regional tourism offices. Who will get behind the marketing of the comp.

In 2000 it was a case of picking random stadiums and seeing if they were free for that date if so book and hope that someone turned up.

Only a short hop for me so good luck to them, I'll look to attend if it happens whoever is playing.

Thanks for the support! Tomorrow's announcement of support at the Bristol City game should drum up a good amount of public interest and a chance to push the bid in local and national media. I'm confident we can at least match the attendance of the same game held in the heartlands and to take it to a new place and achieve that would be great; you can imagine a successful bid will get us a "smaller" game but the "102 years factor" and growing interest in RL promoted by those backing the bid should be able to get folk through the turnstiles.

I'm not convinced that 'Brizzol' really deserves an RL fixture.

Why?

Because no one apart from half a dozen Brizzololians and a few Welshies from over the bridge would bother turning up to watch it.

The nearest professional RL club to Bristol is about 3 hours down the M4.

It's a bad idea.


A VERY bad idea.

It's not about deserving, it's about providing the best facilities and atmosphere.

How do you know?

Ashton Gate.

In Bristol.



That is all.

Remember the 2000 world cup and what happened when we took games on the road to places that dont care about rugby league? We got crowds of 2000! 2000 for a world cup game, it was embarassing.

There is no point having games in Bristol, Gloucester, Cornwall, Wrexham, London or any other place where no one cares about the game. They need to be in the heartlands.

Why did you need to log out and log back in as someone else to say that?

Agreed. What a muppet, at least Barry was a funny persona

Is Bristol are willing to market this then I don't see why it's not worth a try.

We also got crowds of 2,000-3,000 in the "heartlands" of Hull and Cumbria whilst games in the "heartlands" of St Helens, Castleford and Widnes struggled to get more than 5,000. There are probably many reasons for that but RL fans in general are notoriously apathetic to international and representative rugby. If we can't be bothered watching games is it really a great loss to let another part of the country enjoy the sport?

The Bristol bid (and the bidding process in general) is addressing one of the key failings behind the 2000 WC and that is promotion. Bristol City, Bristol Rovers, Bristol Council and the local tourist authority is not going to throw money and effort at a venture if it doesn't think it can get a return - it is in everybody's interest to promote the game - unlike the previous WC where the only interest for many hosts was the size of the rent cheque.

Heaven forbid that we might attract a [unew[/u audience....

It's not about the RFL just dumping a game somewhere to try and attract a new audience; Bristol is actively bidding for this and will actively promote, not just the game, but Rugby League in the area too. Read the press release again - lots of avenues of support and schemes in place.

Name 3 rugby league teams in the area other than the Sonics that I might have heard of.

I can play along; Bristol Sonics "A" are represented in a West of England Division which is more "local" than the Midlands West division that the first team play in, with Wiltshire Wyverns (Corsham), Gloucestershire Warriors (Gloucester...) Swindon St George, and a bit further out but with a good profile, Oxford Cavaliers. Obviously they're not Super League sides but that's not the point, is it?

Gloucestershire, Somerset, Devon, Wiltshire... were all represented well in the County Championship Festival season launch on Bank Holiday Monday. Leeds Rhinos are growing a partnership with the region that will allow promising players to train with the Rhinos, support community RL events (Swindon cross-code RU vs RL earthquake relief event for example) and strengthen the profile of RL at universities, colleges etc. I wouldn't be so adamant that the region isn't ready for RL - the sport's been taking steps in the right direction for some time now.

Troll alert!

This moron should be banned ASAP.

I would also like to wish the very best of luck to Bristol and hope they succeed in their application.

The more people that witness our game the better.

I see your pigeon still hasn't had that wart removed from its a[ir[/ise