Um cuz they cover areas you're interested in?

Otherwise you kinda made my own point.

Why would I read the Richmond papers lving in Kingston?
Why would a Kingston paper cover Richmond?

All Richmond and its local paid for paper carries two QRL sports stories each edition plus all the community stuff
Feltham and Hounslow are both in Hounslow and both the paid for papers (with around 6 pages of sport each) cover Quins, the Hounslow and Brentford Times shares the sports section with the Richmond and Twickenham Times while the Chronicle carries match reports sent in by the club.

And still is the same - no mention of the cup game or Thursday.

then the obvious happens.

Even tougher with us as in the past we would bugger off as soon as we started to put down roots so there is a barrier in our way as people think "why bother"

Yep......and everyone who has said it must have been wrong...because we're doing fine as we are


Darth states that the club get exposure in the Local rags which is great, but I would still think that an exit poll at Twickenham station any evening would show that the majority of residents don't know that we exist. Even worse....the ones that do will be of the belief that we all turn up in flat caps with whippets.
The Unique Selling Point that Harlequins Rugby League have is the "family entertainment" factor. Soccer is either too expensive or too tribal, Union is more niche than we are (£45 for a ticket to Sundays game

), but we continue to accept the general apathy.
We have tried (and failed) to attract the amateur RL players as well as the kids we coach. Free tickets didn't work either.
So, what to do?
I for one would have a long hard look at Huddersfield Giants.
9,402 fans is the average for their 3 games this year at their place. Up from 6,197 for the correspending fixtures in 2008 and up from 5,886 in 2005.
Our figures are 2009: 3,560. 2008: 5,407 & 2005 4,633 so......we are heading in the wrong direction, whilst they are going the other way.
The fact that they have added 3,205 fans ON AVERAGE so far would point to them doing something right.

The fact that they have added 3,205 fans ON AVERAGE so far would point to them doing something right.'"

The London Paper publish a Page for "£18,850" and lite say a page is "£17,640"
Both recently reported a 30% increase in space sales but refused to publish their revenue figures. This points to them being on their @rses as they are having to give space away (IMO).
Let's face it, Metro (£27,989 for London Only))is a paper being read on the way into work and a fair few copies end up on office desk and are re-read at lunchtime...whilst the other 2 are read on the way home and left on the train at the journey's end........
Not sure of the benefit of blowing even half these rate card amounts on tomorrows chip wrappers..........
Interestingly, all of these papers will have pretty empty sports sections between July 4th (end of lions tour) and August 15th (start of wendyball)....I wonder what sports we will see championed during those 6 weeks?

Absolutely spot on...........and there lies the problem. Unless we can field a team who can perform well week-in, week-out (and by this I mean winning our home games, reaching the play-off`s and proving we are no longer a bunch of also rans) we will always struggle to build up a following, regardless of the amount of funds and effort thrown at marketing. Fans/potential fans who have attended over the years have become used to a cycle of inconsistent performances and will need some convincing that things can change......we will only add numbers on the gate if we can make a habit of winning at home.

Local professional football clubs are offering free attendance for all U16 over easter and one semi professional club U16s free for the rest of the seasong (3 home games).

This is what QRL are up against. Not only that trying to get round the M25 tomorrow night for the Cats will be interesting.

Blimey what`s happened at the BBC?........the sports website actually mentions our Thursday night game

......I need to go and lie down for a while

I left the club after seventeen years because I was sick of being treated badly by certain members of staff and because I despaired of the club ever really making any headway.

It took a great deal of soul-searching for me to walk away as the club had been a big part of my life for a long time. God, I even wore the gold Broncos tie-pin in my suit lapel at occasions all over the place! I came to the conclusion that the club would continue to plod along as it would always survive its occasional financial crises but that London as a connurbation was indifferent to rugby league in general and professional RL in particular. Add to this indifference that the club [uhas never made a penny in profit [/uand has been under-capitalised for significant portions of its chequered existance and you can see why it's in the state it is. It attempts to fight with one hand tied behind its back.

Ultimately only a sustained and large spend - particularly in marketing, advertising etc - and being in a position to challenge for honours will make a difference. Do I think it will work? Not unless things change big-time but I doubt that will happen so no. London as a city is sold on football mostly with anything else playing second fiddle (if it's lucky). Sorry to be so pessimistic but the thing doesn't work and probably never will...

Ashes Tour

I dont know nothing about marketing or would pretend too.

But on the Hudd's matter and their crowds. I think i read and all so im sure it was reported on Boots 'n' All as well. That the Hudd's owner who also owns the Football team as well put his money in to offering deals for Football and Rugby season ticket deals at very reduced rates, something like a 99 pound season ticket. but dont know all the details on it. Plus and again im not sure if they did what we did a couple of seasons ago of kids under 16 get free season tickets if Adult buys one.

I rest my case! Waited for a nibble and along you come


The Ashes.........YES...a mighty plus to win, but let's face it, Australia ain't what they were and England are what they normally are.......crap.
So, what we have is 100,000 odd (I GO TO GAMES)London based soccer fans who will either jump on the other 11 a side bandwagon, or will point the figure and say "I can't understand why Roy of the Rovers bothered with cricket"


IF the club are going to attempt to get fans through the door, then the 6 week period I alluded to is perfect. Not only is the sporting "action" thin on the ground, so are punters and media traditionally offer "deals" during the holiday period.
As for a winning team......we have played 3, won 2 and lost 1 in a close finish (that we should have won) IN SUPERLEAGUE.....not exactly a losing streak. The CC was unfortunate, but Huddersfield v St Helens in the final would have a different outcome to last time.......Hudds are no mugs!
Let's just up pegs and leave it then shall we. As I pointed out, we have a 40+ age group as fans...........so let's just buy our Harlequins Carpet slippers and shuffle off


I would love to see the BUSINESS PLAN that the company have

...I doubt it would take too long to read...especially the marketing section

True. The apathy is patently obvious, so let's not bother. I am sure if we all collectively shrug our shoulders then by 2012 Ass-Ociation Football will be the only sport in the UK......and Union will be allowed on holidays, because the Editors of most papers were bu99ered in Public School by the U11 first XV coach


FFS......if Quins were to make it abundantly clear that we have money, but will only spend it with media that give us coverage then we would at least get sales teams nagging editorial teams. The RFU spend shed loads with the broadsheets and I have just received another email asking me if I want to buy tickets to the Guinness premiership final.........but we will never spend money......because we are playing the long game and it's so obviously working




Yeah....like the increase in the game v Wigan


2003 3,984
2004 4,115 & 4325 (4,220)
2005 5,057
2006 5,737 & 4,114 (4,926)
2007 5,657 & 3,200 (4,42icon_cool.gif
2008 8,041 (yes...I know there were a few free tickets......)
2009.........3,883
6 years of progress then


So...well done. Long may the MARKETING OF BIG GAMES CONTINUE





Yep.....because Easter Monday getting back to TW2 at 10.30pm has failed hasn't it


Not having a pop at you PP......just responding to the apathy that seems to run through long term fans of the club as well as the club itself.
I choose to be a Harlequins RL fan and therefore, I chose to take the rough with the rougher, but I am not alone in being close to the edge. There are plenty of fans (some on here, most not) who have raised concerns regarding ticketing, only to be pretty much ignored by the club in general. We used to be a club, but we are now a business (ie...the customer has no say), so why should we be expected to keep coming back?
Discontent over ticketing, stewarding, kick-off times, marketing and the seating of home fans where they don't want to be.....does it get any better than this?

"Yep.....because Easter Monday getting back to TW2 at 10.30pm has failed hasn't it"

Don't be silly - that can be included in a Sat/Sun afternoon game. God knows what route you are taking to be back at 10.30. We were back from Hudds in a minibus that was restricted to 62 mph at 10!

Two good wins over Easter and the world will look a lot better, two defeats and it will be a long summer.

To quote Nietzsche " If you look into the darkness long enough, it will start looking into you".

Please every have a bit of balance there are a lot of clubs that would be happy with our position in the league, but not many would be happy with our crowds.

Point Paddock was making was that it only works weekends/bank hols. which the cardiff coach backs up

Not sure if this is a response to my earlier comments, but you are only refering to performances so far this season........it will take a good deal longer to change the mind set of fans past and present, that we now have a team/set up which can mount a serious challenge each season. If we go well for the remainder of the season, feature in the play-offs, finish higher than normal in the table and win the bulk of our home games, we might well attract some new supporters and regain some of our lost support by the end of the year. It`s no good being blinkered to the fact our mediocrity in recent years has had a detrimental impact on crowd numbers.

Of course performance on the pitch is not the sole answer and good marketing is also required, but marketing in itself is not going to drag the punters in and get them returning on a regular basis.

Sorry...wasn't having a go at you. (as I said)
The point with coaches is that Saturday and Sunday KO's are the the only ones that have a chance of getting a crew together. Bank Holiday monday the same.....
It really doesn't matter....the company have stated that this is year zero as far as they are concerned and yet, we are going backwards when it comes to crowds. Yes, we have 3 years, but as I KEEP ON SAYING.....the long game isn't working and given we are at year zero.....we should be SHOUTING and not =orangemurmering about what's on offer.
As for results? I fail to see the relevance? We had bigger gates at GP as the Broncos and our top 5/6 finish in 2003 or 2005 didn't (wasn't capitilised on) really make any difference......
Sorry......but from being called a mouthpeice I am now being questioned about the validity of my posts. I have reverted to type by posting problems with potential solutions and yet still I get told to give the club time? How much time do you/they want?

The great thing about a lot of SL clubs is that they like getting involved with local communities. Now the London community is unique to all the other SL communities 1. People from London are a melting pot of all cultures and languages and a mixture of all counties from around England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland. More so than any other area in the UK 2.The rugby that people in the area have been brought up on is the 'other' code. [umaking the most of (1)[/u look at this list of international teams en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_in ... ague_teams 50 teams Now most people that come to this country to settle usually live and work in London. Is there no way that the Quins can promote this club to all the international federations and draw all the people that play/support rugby around the world to The Stoop. Even a small advert in the programmes of all the international games. Put the club in the consciences of people and draw them in slowly. Adverts in all the local London Newspapers and some of the outer counties to eg. Essex, Kent, surrey. Nothing major at 1st, just a little cheap advert PROMOTE THE CLUB [usolving 2[/u I would personally get a road show going, a coach and 3 or 4 players and go round the schools getting the kids actively involved in a 2 or 3 day P.E. session. Now i understand that there are a lot of schools but i doesn't matter how long it takes. Even offer free tickets after the session (god knows there's enough room) Isn't the government always piping on about FAT kids. Get an initiative going with the government or local councils (all in the name of publicity). Is there not a Quins think tank going on?

The great thing about a lot of SL clubs is that they like getting involved with local communities. Now the London community is unique to all the other SL communities 1. People from London are a melting pot of all cultures and languages and a mixture of all counties from around England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland. More so than any other area in the UK 2.The rugby that people in the area have been brought up on is the 'other' code. [umaking the most of (1)[/u look at this list of international teams en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_in ... ague_teams 50 teams Now most people that come to this country to settle usually live and work in London. Is there no way that the Quins can promote this club to all the international federations and draw all the people that play/support rugby around the world to The Stoop. Even a small advert in the programmes of all the international games. Put the club in the consciences of people and draw them in slowly. Adverts in all the local London Newspapers and some of the outer counties to eg. Essex, Kent, surrey. Nothing major at 1st, just a little cheap advert PROMOTE THE CLUB [usolving 2[/u I would personally get a road show going, a coach and 3 or 4 players and go round the schools getting the kids actively involved in a 2 or 3 day P.E. session. Now i understand that there are a lot of schools but i doesn't matter how long it takes. Even offer free tickets after the session (god knows there's enough room) Isn't the government always piping on about FAT kids. Get an initiative going with the government or local councils (all in the name of publicity). Is there not a Quins think tank going on?

Good post. The young fans get them in make them want to take the parents to see the Greatest game.

I spoke to someone at work today who is a London Irish fan. Him and 2 mates go along there every week with their young lads. They enjoy it a lot and the wives get chance do their thing that afternoon. So he was asking about Quins RL as an option when the union season finishes. His specific questions was about unrestricted seating. At London Irish they can turn up and get a whole row to themsleves so the kids have room to run about etc. Unfortunately I'm not sure that is something we could offer right now !!

Theres plenty of room to do just that! Kids can be on the concourse in front of the east stand in sight but not in the way of the game and tickets are available in the front rows of the stand quite near the middle. Away supporters have been buying them so get some potential London fans in......Pleeeeeze!

They can't actually.