Leigh were always known, affectionately, by their fans, as 'The Comics'. (would also have been very apt after this close season's farcical goings on) As we all know, they are now known as the 'Centurions', which would have been fine, had there been a Roman connection, or a history of battle tank manufacture in the town. The apparent reason for choosing the name, was to celebrate the club's 100 year anniversary - in which case, 'Centenarians' would have been appropriate. Just to confuse matters further, we selected a pig, as mascot?!

Maybe 'Comics' was a good choice, after all!!

Which is appalling, and I've bought not one single item of merchandising with it on.

Been working well for Cas Tigers for quite some time. This photo was taken at Wembley in 1969:-

I cannot see a problem with it myself. It was a disaster for Hull FC (Sharks), Hudds (remember Barracuda's anyone?) and Halifax (Blue Sox) and not quite well received for Wakey (Wildcats) and Wigan (Warriors).

However it as been quite successful at Tigers, Dragons, Rhino's and Bulls. None of which will be ditching their moniker's anytime soon.

I've now got the voice of Mr Chumley Warner in my head.

Is that so Grayson?

Agree i love seeing Huddersfield RLFC written rather than Huddersfield Giants

Oh I dunno, if I'm honest I hate the lot of em, that hatred is tempered only by the giggle I get when talking to fans at work about the "Rhinos".
Yeah, its infantile to be entertained by that, but that's the level it drags me down to...lol
Course, if they're a Bradford fan, Northern is my default reference for maximum annoyance.
Conversely, they refer to Wakey as the Wildcats, just to p155 me off, so its swings and roundabouts.
I don't see any difference between Wildcats, Tigers, Giants, Blue sox, or any other marketing led moniker, they're all garbage in equal measure, but if it works for them.....crack on, I'm just glad we don't have that 5h1t no more.

It may do if you poll fans with a simple, would you prefer Leeds Rhinos or Leeds RLFC as the club name. They’d do this for 2 reasons. 1 because you will get a higher proportion of “die-hard” fans voting than is actually part of your fan base and so give a skewed opinion. And another because it is a simple question with no associated information.

If you reposed the question as we can go back to being called Leeds RLFC however it would lose us x amount of money and exposure each year and so affect our ability to compete then you may get a different response to the poll.

My dad first took me to Belle Vue in 1953, i always remember Trinity’s nickname at that time being “The Dreadnoughts”, can anyone on the forum confirm this was Trinity’s nickname.

Well there is a Wakefield fan on here called Dreadnought so I would say so

Dreadnowts.

Yes. Definitely was and still is really. Just not used publivally anymore.

There is some research floating around somewhere (I can't recall where right now) that suggests that kids have formed their "sporting allegiance" by age seven. Whether or not they do translate into paying customers at age 17 and 27, what's important is that emotional 'hook' that ties them to the club, and that's worth a hell of a lot.

I'm sure each respective club has statistics on the lifetime value of a supporter at various ages / stages of life (if not, they should have), and then it becomes a case of getting the numbers in, reducing the churn and re-engaging those who lapse. The latter is easier to do once you've established that emotional tie.

Nothing like a bit of success to regain those lapses fans.

A team winning trophies will work far, far better than any "marketing mans" fancy name.
You may be right about it helping get the kids along in the first place though.

Mind you, although all pro football clubs have their mascotts, they havent gone down the same path RL has

Football hasn’t really needed to as it’s always been number 1 in this country. Although in other countries such as Australia and USA they have with their ‘soccer’ names. You have it in RU also and white ball versions of cricket with the ever increasing T20 competitions throughout the world. When you look at other team sports and throughout the world it’s actually quite common.

Dee Why (late 76), and I recall us calling them the doggies in the playground, tbh I don't know why, maybe the bulldogs thing was already in the wings as the dates are close. I certainly don't recall the Berries but I'm not saying you're wrong.

Every football team has a nickname though and many use this in their marketing. It's certainly a main part of the badge and therefore the kit.

What a stupid reply - one Wildcats is no more stupid than Rhino's, in fact slightly better, give it a rest.

Secondly and as ever you are utterly clueless yet you speak with an arrogance way beyond your knowledge. Since turning back to Trinity it has been met by universal acclaim across the district. Merchandise sales have roughly doubled or so I'm told though I only need to look to see it.

So mouth all mighty who are these people we would have attracted by keeping what you yourself are calling a stupid name.

You've utterly contradicted yourself. I'd say you had lost all credibility but you can't lose what you never had.

I like them, I love being a GIANT!

Big G is also the best mascot

UP THE GIANTS <3

Love you too Vastman. Never change.

Yep agreed, and whilst they are only a nickname in football is it really any better than The Rhinos or The Bulls to be referred to as The Toffees or The Owls or The Cottagers just to pick a few examples.

It ultimately comes down to clubs creating that identity. Walk around Leeds and ask people what a "Loiner" is, and I suspect you'd get a lot of blank looks. The club needed something to distinguish itself from everything else called "Leeds", and "The Rhinos" is instantly recognisable.

Of course they existed, I think you've missed the point, they were unofficially known as the Rooster thats the point, same as Manly were actually Manly Warringa (spelling) but were often refered to as the Sea Eagle, Seagulls or even Eagles.What the NSWRL did was to adopt them as a marketing tool but they already existed in a fashion - Rhino's and Wildcats didn't.