just been looking on the Skolars forum and a topic came up about staging the Bradford game along with the Skolars v Keighley game as a double header and I thought that sounds like a good idea so I have just emailed the Quins to see what they say

It was an idea that was touted a while back on these boards and as far as I know, the RFL/Quins RL and Hector are in discussions about it.
I still say it's a cracking idea and if MARKETED WELL with sensible pricing the double header on the night before the CC Final, together with the beer festival and all the other stuff that Hector has layed on at Skolars over the last couple of years could well see 7,000+ at the stoop.
Not sure of previous gates at the Skolars but I seem to remember about 1,200 turning up....so if the revenue is shared, it's a win win opportunity.

I thought this was going to be a topic around fridays games in which the Bulls were appalling and stuffed by the Wire.

We should be looking to get that fixture re organised asap

I was confused by the thread's title. Outstanding Bradford game? Not this season.

Double or Quits GF? I'll let you have 5K

Let's see if Hector wants to play ball first shall we. If he does, I suspect the RFL will give this a big shove.

Judging by the stick the Keighley lads gave anyone in a Bradford shirt last year, it could be a lively night. Then again, they might come down with banners demanding "Justice for the 96 Cougars" and burn the Stoop down.

I went to a game in Keighley three years ago and drinking in a pub beforehand a local described how a large proportion of those from the "Cougarmania" era now follow Bradford. I think Bradford are more unpopular than us in Keighley!

I go every couple of months to watch the Cougars and no Bradford are more unpopular than us in the ground, and after the Warrington game it seems that hardly anyone is going to Odsal these days,

But can we please play Bradford before they get their winning streak!

To late, think that the signing of Julian R could well put our chances of beating the Bulls down 50%.....if our past lost results due to tries etc by ex-players are anything to go by.

Poor idea for mine. What is the problem with just playing it in the spare weekend like a normal league match rather than messing around with stupid ideas of double headers?

If it was played on the day muted by the OP, I probably wouldn't bother going as I will be going to the Cup Final and can't afford/don't have the inclination to do both.

I doubt the opportunity to see the Skolars get tonked would add any more to the gate either.

Well I find this more appealing than the cup final itself and really hope goes ahead. Its worked for the Skolars the last few years. And this year the 2 london clubs have the chance to work together and put on a great nights show. Its a great opportunity that shouldnt be missed.

I have no problems with the Skolars making a big show of their match but we shouldn't have to sacrifice a home game for it - the game should be played in a situation similar to the original. It should be played ASAP and not left until August.

I am struggling to see any potential benefits of this double header for us anyway. I would be very surprised if people would want to to trek out to Twickenham to watch Harlequins-Bradford. Many will travel down on the Friday and won't be bothered. And we are on the wrong side of London for many. Plus a home game on a Friday night? Yer because that will work.

Welcome back Mr High Roller


The idea of a double header to showcase RL in London has to be a good idea. If it doesn't happen for the rescheduled Bulls game, I still think that we should invite the Skolars to play at the Stoop at some stage and really push to boat out marketing it.

Who are we showcasing RL to now? What would make a curtain raiser of Skolars getting thrashed any different to any other home game we have? Why should we invite them to play at The Stoop? I'd rather watch our academy/reserves than them.

As the club seem to be struggling with the identity thingy, why don't we jump in the London RL bandwagon that the RFL are spending money on promoting?
If there are 1,000,000 ex pat northerners in London, then these go some way to making up our target audience. There are plenty who already watch Quins and the Skolars, but we inly need to get 1% of this group to fill the stoop.
i appreciate your sceptisism, but we will never know if it will work unless we try it.

I don't really buy into this whole identitiy problem and think its just a smokescreen for the real issues. I can't see how having our game on a Friday night with a Skolars game before hand would counter any"identitiy thingy" struggles and be any more attractive than a normal league match.

The Identity problem is real enough.....
The amount of Australians that came to the Manly game who had no idea we existed was worrying really.
If we are to assume that the cost of "above the line" marketing is too high for the club ( a pretty safe assumption), then clever "below the line" marketing and PR needs to be used. A Double Header, promoted by the Club, the Skolars and Lonfon RL (the RFL) increases the chances of being noticed at no extra cost to the club.
The BBC have the rights to the Challenge cup, so we should get a mention during the week, maybe even get that little reporter on Breakfast to train with the guys. The Local press may well be interested as there will be 50,000 odd northerners in town for the big game, so we might be able to tag onto that exposure as well.
I am not saying it would work, but for very little outlay, we could increase awareness....
Also, you posted earlier that it wouldn't appeal to you with the CC the next day? Why? As a fan of Rugby League, I would welcome the opportunity to see 3 live games in 24hrs, as well as the beer festival and the after match band...I think it would be a cracking day out, regardless of who gets tonked by who on the pitch.

Make your mind up. In one post you speak about Northerners, then you change your tact to Australians. I agree there is an identity problem there, but there is no way that where is a problem with regards to identity when it comes to "ex pat northerners".

It wouldn't appeal to me as I have a life outside of Rugby League and traditionally do other things on the Friday night before the cup final. I'm sure many others are the same, especially those travelling down to London.

I mentioned northerners being part of the target audience, then mentioned Australians, who are another part of the target audience...not too confusing really.

I am sure that others also have a life outside of RL.....I do, but if we don't try something "outside the box" then we will stumble along as usual. The Manly crowd showed what can be achieved if we let the RFL assist with marketing

In one post:



in the next:



Doh. Make your mind up.

Nice selective quoting there. Try reading the rest of what I wrote and maybe you will get your head round it.