Haven't been on here for a while and haven't been to a game since the double header with the Sharks vs Crusaders across the road (Rugby Union for those of you who don't follow).

However, just thought I would post to say how optimistic I am about the upcoming season for once. I had phone call from one of my friends today who rarely comes to games even back in the days when we had a season ticket and Mark Mclinden was terrorising defences. He called out of the blue to say he wanted to go a Broncos game in February and try to see some games this year as he had heard they had a decent squad, new name and change in general atmosphere.

Now I only mention this because it highlights to me that for the first time in ages there can be a bit of excitement ahead of a season, particularly with regard to onfield performance. For two years I was a regular attendee at matches and myself and a friend would always try to drag others along to games, but it got to a stage where even I was getting worn down by the home beatings we were getting and by the general lack of progress being shown by the club. I for one will be coming more this year and backing the investment shown by the club by putting bums on seats and cheering the team on.

I know it must be hard for all the diehards who have seen many false dawns and I have seen a lot of negatvity across the forum but I hope that at least everyone can agree that phone calls like the one I received today can only show that at least the club's efforts to become more competitive may actually be working.

Cmon you Broncos!!!

I don't know that the top 4 will be worried about us but we seem to have got some very good players this season and should be competitive assuming injuries dont kill us. Most optimistic I've been for years.

I could post a very cynical but true reply to the OP but it will only upset the usual suspects. Enjoy the season.

Thankyou, I will

And thanks for not posting the cynical but true reply

It would be nice to think this thread could go on with not single negative post (but impossible too I know).

Welcome back - yes the new season should be good on the pitch which I am looking forward to hugely. However it is the goings on (or not) of the pitch which worry me. There you go positive where it matters - on the paddock!

I am upset you didn't post your thoughts.....just for once, get off the fence Listy and tell us what you really think

There was a lot of enthusiasm at the end of the season and with the re launch, I am still very much looking forward to the start of the season again, just for rugby but because we are looking better than the last few seasons as well! Roll on the 4th of February where there will hopefully be a lot of new faces and not just on the pitch!

Well said


Regardless of my inane ramblings on marketing, other supporters gripes over shirt colours or seating arrangements, let's not forget why we all moan at the club.....because we love TGG and we love our Team.

Oh London Town......
Is wonderful
Oh London town is wonderful......................

Roll on Feb 4 and bring on the Saints!

Ditto. I could pick holes in it all morning, but I would like to encourage as many 'returning' fans as possible, now that the name is apparently more to their liking.

Can't wait, bring on the scousers. Lets give it to them

We need a ref that wont listen to Wellens and Co

Have they recruited any deaf referees for 2012 as part of the sports politically correct commitment?

Hah - referees. Soon to be a hot topic again. How's this for an appropriate occupation? www.therfl.co.uk/referee/full_ti ... s/tim_roby Tim Roby Occupation: Philosopher

Hah - referees. Soon to be a hot topic again. How's this for an appropriate occupation? www.therfl.co.uk/referee/full_ti ... s/tim_roby Tim Roby Occupation: Philosopher

Interesting article in "Running Rugby" which is for professionals working in League or union, this is an edit from the article with Gus.

London Broncos chief Gus Mackay has set the club an ambitious target of increasing attendances to 10,000 following the re-brand from Harlequins RL.

Speaking in an interview with Running Rugby, Mackay acknowledged the difficulty the club had in forging its own identity under the Harlequins umbrella.

He said: "I’ve been with the club 12 months and I straight away saw much confusion over the Quins rugby union and Quins rugby league names. I think the original concept of Quins RL was a good idea, but it didn’t work.

"We have key obligations under the terms of the licence, but we have made our own fundamental priorities in three key areas. We want to be commercially successful, increase attendances to 10,000 and see success on the field. For us that would be to at least achieve a place in the play-offs each season."

Harlequins average attendances have fallen from 4917 in 2006 to just 3131 in 2011, and have gone down every year since the club first ditched the London Broncos moniker, with the exception of 2008.

Running Rugby - January 2012

* What Gus has to say about the brand problem is exactly what I have been saying, the 10,000 has to be an aim, but I feel it will be in the next licence period as it will take this period of time.

10,000 is a ridiculous and pointless target. I am rapidly losing patience with GM.

10%, year on year over 10 years is achievable, but as laid out elsewhere, it would involved a massive spend which the club can't or won't action.

What we have is current fans and that's the best way try and grow the base.
2012:
3,124 +10% is 312 x 13 = 4,056. 2 free tickets for every ST hoder for the season openers means if we have 2028 st holders we have hit the extra fans required in game 1.
2013:
3,436 +10% is 343 x 13 = 4459. 2 free tickets for every ST hoder for the season openers means if we have 2228 st holders we have hit the extra fans required in game 1.

repeat 8 more times and you're knocking on the door of 10,000........

Quote ="BroncOnIon"Hah - referees. Soon to be a hot topic again. How's this for an appropriate occupation? www.therfl.co.uk/referee/full_ti ... s/tim_roby Tim Roby Occupation: Philosopher'" I don't think so...............

Quote ="BroncOnIon"Hah - referees. Soon to be a hot topic again. How's this for an appropriate occupation? www.therfl.co.uk/referee/full_ti ... s/tim_roby Tim Roby Occupation: Philosopher'" I don't think so...............

lets give the guy a chance. Thankless task but I for one hope signs of improvement are there quickly and built on.

I doubt at The Stoop we will ever go much higher than 5,000, if we are really successful on the pitch then 6,000 is achievable over the three year licence period

It's Ok a long term aim but totally inconsistent with his most recent e-mail

How do you manage to keep your posts at the bottom

Dave Lister wrote:

... and then

Yes, how do you do that?
And why has your appearance suddenly changed so drastically?

If 10,000 (without a stated timescale) is ridiculous and pointless, what number would not be? And what number do you think a flagship club in the capital should be attracting to justify its very existence?

There are problems with the forum that are throwing posts 1 hour forwards in time. They are being looked into at the moment.

Gutterfax's plan of a 10% year on year increase was far more realistic, and even that was questioned by 1 poster as not being attainable. there is absolutely no point in setting targets that cannot be met in any business. Our resources should be carefully used in order to meet targets, and if they aren't met, then we should be able to work out why, and make changes to ensure next time the target is met. It isn't particularly complicated stuff.

Agree with the second part but see no reason to agree with the first.

Quote Hah - referees. Soon to be a hot topic again. How's this for an appropriate occupation? www.therfl.co.uk/referee/full_ti ... s/tim_roby Tim Roby Occupation: Philosopher'" He was the ref that buckled under pressure from Wellens, Graham etc during the Saints game towards the end of the season.

Quote Hah - referees. Soon to be a hot topic again. How's this for an appropriate occupation? www.therfl.co.uk/referee/full_ti ... s/tim_roby Tim Roby Occupation: Philosopher'" He was the ref that buckled under pressure from Wellens, Graham etc during the Saints game towards the end of the season.

Your best advert as a tool to sell season tickets is incumbent season ticket holders. The club have touched on it this year with the incentive of new shirt if you introduce a new season ticket holder. I would hope the club could be bolder next year.