Not certain youre right there Jools
I think that even newcomers are proud of the fact we "started it all"
And I`ll go with the fact that the club have to create income from merchandise 100% in order to compete with the top four for income

But for Daz and others who are proud of the pre Giants age --despite the fact that there were hard times--and of the claret and gold hoops that (lets face it ) are a "one-off" and unique --why shouldnt they wear one ?
They are after all the TRUE club colours!
Its only SKY with their alternative strip theory that started all clubs leaving their roots behind --and that is SAD --whatever your age !

And your final point re it being meaningless !
Yes it could well be -- cos the number whove actually seen THEM (in either guise?) lift the Challenge Cup or the Championship Trophy becomes less and less as every year passes by !!
And a fact that looking at the stats --the pre Giants record makes better reading to date
Also sad but true

And my take on things is that till the majority "have seen em do it" its gonna make KD`s job harder and harder to enrol "newbies"
Thats also SAD but I suggest TRUE !

Ah well --maybe NEXT YEAR ?

Personally speaking, i dont think i get value for money for the replica shirts for one, and i also dont like the designs we have had lately.
I prefer the traditional shirts and feel they are good value, but wigan and hull both manage to sustain traditional style shirts with hoops but we seem to have gone away from that and gone from maori pattern to silver flashes to a plain claret/maroon shirt which just doesn't appeal to me,as for the alternative shirts, well!

I understand the theory that we need a modern shirt to appeal to younger fans, but there is clear evidence that theory is wrong. The commonest strip I see amongst our fans is the 2009 vintage, ie the last one with hoops. I realise that patterns have to change enough to justify sales, so accept it will not be hoops every year, but what keeps getting missed is enough gold. The clubs colours are Claret and Gold not Claret with gold trim.

Ooh here's an idea. One strip traditional, one modern.

ie

Claret and gold hoops - Home White with pink Kangaroo vomit pattern - away
Claret with meaningless lines that don't go anywhere that was quite clearly designed by the shirt manufacturers blind dog - home
White with claret and gold band Lionel Cooper 1950's stylee - away
Claret with gold V ala 1950's challenge cup win - home Lime green assymetrical design with purple polka dots - away
Claret with japanese Haiku in traditional Kanji script - home White with Claret and gold V - away


Satisfies both markets and optimises sales.

Or we could just go with accepting the tat formulaic shirt designs that look just like the other teams every year.

If you sit in the family stand the hoops are by far in the minority.
Crackerjack - i dont agree newcomers are proud of the start of it all - many probably don't even know about the history and the rfl do their best to blot out anything pre superleague- and tbh why should they care where it started. Youngster nowadays are interested in the here and now not in the past.
I'm more interested in what happens next season than what happened 100 years ago. There are very few who remember the glory days of Huddersfield - why would we want to re live the dark days- no thanks!

Like what I said .....but till IT actually happens Jools you`ll have to preach the gospel . I aint arguing with what you claim They are interested in the here and now --and as yet the now is putting SOME youngsters off - and sadly some more mature fans also
Take last week /Wakey and Bulls at home and the way the season absolutely ended like a damp squib etc
Sad but true!
I know at least 6 kids who arent bothered about Dad/Grandad / Uncle taking em down cos of whats happened recently --and whilst your youngsters like mine were well taught in the supporting strategy --others like those will now take a long time and a lot of persuasion to be re-converted

As for your unblemished devotion to the cause --there are believe me many many more who are interested in what happens next season
I`m one - youre another!
Both with similar fervour - but for totally different reasons Id guess
You hoping for the thrill I had in 53 and 62 which cant be surpassed.
Me --cos Ive now been waiting a bloody long time since then !
I stubbornly believe its very important that there is SOON a tangible result --not a nearly but not quite !
Like I say - no dispute about youngsters being interested in the HERE and NOW !!
But many also have a shortage of patience and wont wait forever !!
And I strongly believe -(unfortunately) --neither will KD which is a vital part of the equation

Also- for the record --there indeed are fewer of us who remember the glory days that you say dont matter ! I said that also
But those golden moments got us through the dark days, meant we carried on supporting this truly [uhistoric[/u club,and I trust helped it survive to this day for the newer supporters.

So with that in mind -- I sincerely hope we both get a golden moment next season for me and the old codgers, Daz and other "fartowners" , and you and yours
Now that WOULD keep us all happy for a few more years eh??



Finally --re your claim that there is a pronounced disregard for the history and record of this great club amongst our present band of supporters.
If you are correct , -- then the exciting heritage project thats now taking shape - which I am reliably informed is to link youngsters in the schools via sport with the towns history is going to meet with quite a few obstacles
Personally I hope not, and the confidence in the project shown by KD the Mayor and those I know who are heavily involved is amply rewarded !

Huddersfield ---The birthplace of Rugby League!!
They couldn`t beat us -so they joined!

I'm absolutely sure that the glory days matter to you- but I don't think they matter to those born 30 or 40 years later who have no concept of what it's like to win at the highest level. It's a catch 22 we need the support to help us in that extra push to achieve at the top but the support won't come until we achieve.
You only have to look at Leeds and the way they win that game against Catalan to see the difference- they have the belief and I can't blame Lunt for not wanting to come back to the negativity that comes from fans (and pundits) without and within the giants.
We need to build the support to give us this extra push. Us that have been through the dark days will stick around for our devotion to the club, the newbies will bring the hope as that's all they will know. If getting and keeping them means that we have to allow some tradition to fall by the wayside then the club will do so without any compunction.

And there perhaps Jools youve illustrated what I`m saying
There is a big difference between pessimistic and realistic

There was negativity a plenty amongst the Leeds fans I know personally -believe me- when they had their mid season slump last year.

Why did the supporters hang on in --cos theyve tasted success in relatively recent seasons

And when did it return aplenty --cos they won at OT and the world championship

It is a double edged sword / catch 22 etc

If theres success on the field --there`ll be positivity off it
and that often ultimately brings in better players and the snowball rolls

Hull and Cas are Rugby mad --Sadly Huddersfield isnt at this time and that is our problem - Its a fact
It ran out of steam when? When the team did and as you say the lean years arrived

But it WAS-- believe me - I can show you an Examiner pic with the old terrace at Spaines Road full to the brim for a midweek evening League fixture against -wait for it -Salford !
A sight that would bring a smile to KD if it were repeated today

Yes -it was back in the 50`s - AFTER we`d had success !
And I take your point exactly !

But whilst I accept your arguments -and whilst I dont share your undeniable faith -- I firmly believe that the "Joe Public " in Hudds at the present time will only be lured back as you desire by a consistent team that WINS a trophy - not an upper / mid table team
We`ll be there anyway

I know the point youre making but sadly dont believe from many discussions Ive had with many previous co supporters that it will happen any other way at this present time Sorry!

Im afraid its down to those of us who [uwill[/u maintain their support to do their best, along with the management, but most of all the playing staff , to attain that elusive success . Then , only then, do I believe attendances will increase to the level the club require to push forward still further
That in my mind is where we are at As you say -sad but fact !
But I`m open to persuasion!

amen

I agree with what you are saying- we need to win something for success to breed success. But I just don't think we will achieve that by hankering back to the "Good old days".

At the end of the day its about personal preference and choice, i think the shirts we have had from 2010 onwards have been absolutely appaling in design and quality and i have chosen not to spend my money on them - some people will buy one every year because that's what they do, even if they dont necessarily like them.

I prefer something that at least looks something like what a tradtional Huddersfield RLFC jersey should look like and when i was offered the opportunity to purchase one i naturally jumped at the chance.

I have had countless people come up to me and ask where they can get a shirt like mine from, young and older fans, so the pull of claret and gold hoops is still out there amongst our fan base.
Even opposition fans have commented on my 'proper shirt' and how it looks great compared to the dross we have had recently.

What people have to remember is that any of our fans from pre 2000 i will say saw Huddersfield play in claret and gold hoops, one or 2 variations, but sticking to the tradition, the newer, super league era fans haven't really seen us play in our 'traditional' kit yet so will have no affiliation to that design and have been brought up on mainly claret (sometimes bordering on purple) kits with a little bit of gold in the way of a daft squiggle or a line or two thrown in somewhere randomly on the shirt to add a bit of colour it seems.

Its each to their own at the end of the day but i wont be wasting my money on a paper thin claret shirt with some random splashes/lines thrown over it !!.

I agree the last two home shirts have been extremely uninspiring in terms of quality and design. But I actually liked the maori design shirt, for one it was better quality fabric-ironically the players thought it was too thick!- and second that design had some significance to the club in a variety of ways. I liked what they tried to do there. What the club need to do is find something that can inspire us forward - something new to relate to so that new fans can feel a part of the club, with the traditional colours so that old fans arent disgruntled. Not a gimmick like the last away shirt. Ive loads of claret and gold hooped shirts- I bought the last one as it had long sleeves! I dont see the point in buying something that looks the same every year - leeds and wigan get away with it because of their larger fan base, so if folk dont buy each year its no problem. The Giants would lose out massively as we dont have enough people buying shirts.
for me the biggest bugbear is not the design but bthe fact we dont have ladies fit shirts anymore - the others are so unflattering!

[iI agree with what you are saying- we need to win something for success to breed success.
[/i
Exactly -ditto --and those of us who stay faithful can only support and we do !
But its no crime Jools to express your thoughts when you think something isnt working or wrong IYO
Otherwise I suggest we aint passionate enough
Blind faith is a dangerous thing and even our moans wont affect the outcome one jot --we arent in the decision making process
Thats down to KD / RT / PA et al


[iBut I just don't think we will achieve that by hankering back to the "Good old days".[/i
No way was I suggesting that either
Apologies if it sounded that way
All I am saying is that our club and the game have changed in umpteen ways
But to disregard the enviable tradition and history of the claret and gold wont IMO help win things
I`d rather some inspiring coach use it in an attempt to get the current squad to see what has been achieved before -and for them to get their name in lights
But those of us who were fortunate enough to be there and see those memorable wins would give anything I suggest to share a similar moment with todays faithful fans who were born just a couple o years later :wink

I was 11 when we last won the cup and old enough to remember and enjoy the victory on my first visit to the old Wembley
I just hope you, others and your young uns can do likewise and soon at the new one!!
Maybe this year??

Key point is we're not Fartown anymore. We don't play at Fartown & we dont have the name fartown in our name anywhere. We are the Huddersfield Giants.

I am not in any way disputing where we`re at now GM
I dont think I even mention Fartown in my previous topic posts (but stand to be corrected )
Not sure Jools did either
It was more a discussion whether the club (in my mind Huddersfield RL Club) should respect its tradition or disown it ( and I accept the topic has drifted a little - apologies !)

Either way the club got that nick-name because of their venue

When fate decreed we moved to Leeds Rd (for whatever reasons) they didnt become the Leeds Roaders or Bradley Mills lot

Subsequently more changes meant the move to the Galpharm /McAlpine /John Smiths and whatever comes to pass along with a change of name

But KD / the club gave its support to the recent heritage project so I presume theyre proud to be associated with our history

Wigan / Hull / Warrington/Saints have also got new names and moved venues but I strongly suggest are all similarly proud of their history
Warrington have recently bestowed unique individual squad numbers for all whove proudly worn their colours which speaks for itself

I cant see that clubs who have survived through two world wars have anything to gain by ignoring their longevity and fine traditions
Neither do I think that the unique position this club holds as one of the true founder members is something to be tossed aside in the name of progress
and Kd`s comments at the recent launch indicate a similar view IMO

What will happen in the future --who knows

I believe that the present clubs should value where their roots are and use their previous records to their full capacity To disregard them as useless baggage would be IMO a truly retrograde step
Whilst it would not affect the future prospects of the club to any great effect --it would be ignoring the fact that todays club only exists because of the efforts of management/ players and fans over the past century

To ignore that fact would be a real crime
But its only my opinion!

But we are still Fartown. Fartown is our nickname. Giants is our name. I am amazed as to how difficult it is for RL fans to grasp this stunningly simple concept. There is room for both names. Fartown is not a place, it was all but the name of the club. (Ok Fartown is actually a place but that's besides the point). When I was growing up you talked about Town and Fartown, until I was about 13 I thought that that was what the club was called. Are Leeds united not the Peacocks? Are Town not the Terriers? Are Man United Not The Red Devils? Villareal the Yellow Submarine? Minnesotta Vikings the Purple People Eaters? Montreal Canadiens the Habitents?

As an aside if "kids today" are so obsessed with badly designed asymmetrical strips then why do Town play in Blue and White stripes, a strip that hasn't changed much for nearly 100 years?

See someone walking through Town in a Town kit and people know what team it is. Apart from the colours there has been nothing to link our last few kits. See someone walking through Town in them and no one will link them to the club.

The purpose of replica strips is to get people thinking " I've seen a lot of people wearing that strip around town I wonder waht it is." and off they pootle to investigate. Not "I've seen lots of different people wearing lots of different strips but there's so many i can't be bothered investigating."

Ahh but that's exactly it- town hasn't changed for nearly 100 years- and they have kept a relatively large fan base through those times and so plenty who recognise the stripes. Given that Huddersfield had crowds well below 1000 not too long ago the majority of our fans are NEW fans, so don't recognise the stripes- I'm not suggesting we ditch our history and heritage for one minute- but the marketing guys recognise that for many those hoops don't mean a great deal. Perhaps the key is to make that change- perhaps it would appear uninspiring to the newbies- ill leave it to those better versed in marketing to decide.

But "town" weren`t always the Terriers were they

And Town dont play at Leeds Road any more

So theyve changed as well

But..... But...... KEPT THEIR RECOGNISABLE COLOURS
Maybe they accept their heritage and the fact they won Div 1 three times in a row (so I believe? --though THAT was before my time !!)



The point I and Jack are making (I think!!

)

I agree with Jools on this, we do need to move on as stripes can be slightly dull however i do think we have the best Colours in Sport, so use them to full the stands. Take Brisbane in Oz for example, look at their Home and Away shirts here, www.newrugbykits.com/2012/01/new ... 12-strips/ They are the same kit designs however the colours are just reversed, now imagine the stands if everyone had either a home or away shirt on, it would be a mass of claret and gold! Another point is do we need a HOME and AWAY shirt, lets not have a official primary shirt just go with what the other teams will be wearing, therefore this would maximise the amount of sales, rather than selling more home shirts rather than away shirts etc. The focus should be the colours not the design in my opinion.

I agree with Jools on this, we do need to move on as stripes can be slightly dull however i do think we have the best Colours in Sport, so use them to full the stands. Take Brisbane in Oz for example, look at their Home and Away shirts here, www.newrugbykits.com/2012/01/new ... 12-strips/ They are the same kit designs however the colours are just reversed, now imagine the stands if everyone had either a home or away shirt on, it would be a mass of claret and gold! Another point is do we need a HOME and AWAY shirt, lets not have a official primary shirt just go with what the other teams will be wearing, therefore this would maximise the amount of sales, rather than selling more home shirts rather than away shirts etc. The focus should be the colours not the design in my opinion.

Yes town have changed- and before during and after those changes the size of the support base stayed much the same- that's the key issue. They haven't had to work as hard to begin an entire fan base. Giants had to start from a few hundred! Now maybe the marketing guys messed up by the way they originally went about it and should have stuck with tradition- maybe they wanted to move away from the association with failure. Maybe the success of bullmania was a reason to make the change I don't know the reasoning but its done. Maybe a way forward is to use the team of all talents etc as a way to inspire the new generation- maybe they feel it wouldn't work- as I say there are more qualified people than me doing the marketing. I love the clubs history and traditional - my kids couldn't give a toss -even though they love the giants.

We never have been Fartown - it was/is the club's nickname

and i will always call em Fartown before Giants ..

We could be called bradford bulls but we would still be known as fartown, thats how i first knew about the club,as fartown, in fact it took me a while to realise that huddersfield rlfc and fartown were the same thing!
A lot of neutral rl fans who are not recent converts still refer to us as fartown. Its nothing to do with where we used to play its what our club has been known as for over 100 years

I would suggest that the demographic of our fan base is made up by - 'diehards' (supporters throughout the dark days!) - 'newbies' and 'returnees'
I went through a period of total dispair, wherby I could no longer face the prospect of standing alongside another 3 or 4 hundred supporters knowing full well that we were going to get trounced.
The day fially dawned when I was standing with my father-in-law in the paddock and looking at the front row packing down for a scrum and thinking ' They have bigger beer bellies than Doug!'

So I class myself as a returnee, but having seen the great days when we were unbeatable I can justifiably be very proud of the heritage of the club and wear my claret and gold hoops with as much pride.

Sometimes there were more on t`pitch Keefie (yer coward!!

)

But glad yer came back fella!!

--we were feeling somewhat isolated!!