Thought Wakey did a few things quite well, and probably cost them next to nothing.

For those of you who didn’t go.

When I got there the Dancers were performing.

They then stopped the music and introduced today’s Mascot to the crowd, asked her how old she was, who she was with, which school did she go, who her favourite player was, she had her photo taken with the Dancers, before going back in to come out with the team.

The Dancers then continued with their routine.

They then introduced “The best Mascot in Super League” and Daddy Cool came out, like Parky Pig use to, summersaults, back flips, on top of the dug out, having a wee against the post, trying to run off with Leigh’s water bottles, cuddle for the kids etc.

The Dancers waving flags as the teams came out.

At half time, half time draw, couple of Birthday announcements and then a simple game of first supporter to get the ball, one fan from each club dressed in a Sumo type costume, chasing after the ball best out of three (we didn’t win that either

).

At full time they speak to Man of the match, your views on today’s game etc like the TV do.


I know we’re doing something at the next match, but I can’t see us doing that for every game, what Wakey did was not fantastic but simple, organised, and easy implemented, we so need to improve our matchday experience, young glow use to make us go to HP early so she could simply see Parky Pigs entrance, can’t remember even seeing Arty at the last game.

i think that is what you normally get at a s/l ground, have to say though, the yorkshire clubs do it very well


at odsal in '05, it was amazing, wherever you went, there was plenty going on



i would imagine finance is the main stumbling block at championship level sadly

Stop moaning weve got keith Chegwin





and the "gay" mascot Arty

Don’t think it cost that much to do what Wakey did.

Don’t know if they pay their Dancers, but surely a local dance troop would do it for free, chance to practise their routine in front of an audience, did we pay the ones that previously performed at HP?

Talking to the young girl, and MOM costs nothing, equipment already there.

Some one in the mascot outfit who can do summersaults, did we use to pay Sean?

I may be wrong but I doubt we paid any of the above, so as far as I can tell we’re talking about half a dozen flags, and two padded jackets, bet that would cost all of £50-100, and if looked after them they’d last a few seasons.

Does Arty still attend games? I genuinely can't remember seeing him at the last match.

OHHH hats you in bad books by the resident PC people on here

Our friends daughter is currently 'Arty' as you can see, she's a little shy.
Their original choice 'pulled out', so she's doing it for the time being.

Its interesting your mention of crowd, League papers state 2600 attendence! crowd?, more like a gathering!


Did they mention spending anything on a new STADIUM?

See its so easy to have a go at something without knowing the full circumstanses, he/she was at the last game interacting with the kids its not so easy being an extrovert if your not that way inclined, I'm certainly not perhaps you are? if so see the community dept Hannaha is her name isn't it? im sure she would like an extrovert volunteer

I wasn't having a 'go' at the person who is currently volunteering to be Arty, good on her for doing so, I was just simply expressing an opinion that our current matchday experience is none existent and Wakey did an ok job without spending money on a 'for one night only' so called celebrity.

The community department is run by Hannah and I have offered my services and helped them on several occasions, not to be the Mascot though

The 'Odsal experience' was truly amazing and set up a challenge for all clubs. What isn't too widely publicised, is that it nigh-on bankrupted Bradford! However, we have desperately needed something to create interest, especially for the youngsters.

When we used to put on entertainment, we had it sponsored to the tune of £1k per game. As you say, getting hold of that sponsorship now, is a problem.

I've said it before young ones will just not want to go and watch 80 minutes of rugby, it needs that bit more.

Was the 1k when we were having Singers/groups, or Parky's hovercraft and other gadgets?

The ones I invoiced, were for singers/entertainers, rather than Parky's gadgets.

You are so right about the youngsters - we have to attract them and then keep them. (I don't mean kidnap!) Even we adults are being severely tested, in our expectation of being entertained for eighty minutes!

The "Odslum experiance"was copied from Keighleys matchday experiance who were actually the true innovators of the "new rugby" built up a good crowd then got shafted by the RFL so Bradford could take their crowd.
It was not the matchday experiance that nearly bankrupted the Dulls it was the signing of Lestyn Harris me thinks, as the deal they worked out with Wakefield did not come off.

I dont mean the person in the suit thats gay the suit is gay, a bloke in a skirt and its got a stupid expression on its face . The kids loved Parky, bring him back I say.
Should have made Parky more butch, put him in gladiator gear and made him a razorback pig.

Parky v Arty...........to the death!!

On the face of it 1k seems damned expensive for what we got, but I guess the outdoor equipment, length of time at HP not just singing time etc all has to be taken into consideration.

Maybe the Club made something out of it, as well?

Balloon sculpter for 2-4.45pm, about £150 max
Clown/Magician about the same
Players signing autographs and having photos' taken, priceless

Its not about spending, its about knowing why your spending it and who you are aiming at. Adults dont want some carp singer, money wasted.
Kids need to remember the day, and young ones love balloons/clowns/magicians with a bit of the real Parky thrown in.

Although I agree with what you’ve put I don’t even think we need to spend that, start with something like Wakey did.

A few dancers - someone phone the Apple dance centre/180 club see if they’ll do it for free. In return a few lines in the programme ‘Todays Pre-Match Entertainment is brought to by………..Dancers” and a small article about their club. How much would that cost? Alan?

Arty making a bit of an entrance, joining the little ones in the stands giving away a few Glow sticks

- £10 for 200, I’ll sponsor the first lot for the Fev game, who do I give them to?

Introduction of today’s mascot to the crowd, and few questions for him/her, etc.

A bit more dancing hopefully with Arty joining in, flag/pompom waving (no doubt the dance troop will already have some) as the teams enter the field.

Half time, H/T draw then some kind of game, we’ve not got time/money to get padded jackets so we’d have to think of something else, three legged race for a ball? The RFL’s Try it game? Throw stones at any Leythers not dressed in Cherry?

I’m sure someone could come up with something.


It's not the best but its better than we currently do

To be fair, I get regualr emails from Ryan as I am sure you do inviting kids games at half time.

However, having done one half time game I don't think I will be encouraging our team to do any more. It felt a bit off telling parents that they had to pay £32 a family (plus any further kids) to watch their kid get a 5 minute run around at half time. I agree that a proper "Curtain Raiser" like in the older days at HP would be more meaningful and entertaining and perhaps provide some kind of family deal ticket for the players' families.

Have kids games as a curtain raiser. Half-time is all about spin and kick competitions