I agree they haven’t been great on a few fronts this year. But the key word is potential. They’ve occasionally attracted crowds of 6,000 (9,000 against Catalans when their season was dead) and they’d return to that fairly quickly if admitted back in. But moreover it’s France’s fourth biggest city, more than a million people, with all the commercial opportunities that brings, and underpinned by a junior and amateur scene that’s much bigger than Salford or York’s. Apologies for getting way off topic with this, just enjoying the debate.

[quote="Butcher":cbr7hgdc]I agree they haven’t been great on a few fronts this year. But the key word is potential. They’ve occasionally attracted crowds of 6,000 (9,000 against Catalans when their season was dead) and they’d return to that fairly quickly if admitted back in. But moreover it’s France’s fourth biggest city, more than a million people, with all the commercial opportunities that brings, and underpinned by a junior and amateur scene that’s much bigger than Salford or York’s. Apologies for getting way off topic with this, just enjoying the debate.[/quote:cbr7hgdc] Yeah pity that like Catalans they probably wouldn't bring any of their support with them. They should have their own SL - my opinion only.

And a fair opinion, that’s definitely the downside. Though I’m a believer (optimist more like) that clubs shouldn’t be relying on away support to fill their ground or their coffers. How good was the grand final? The fact there weren’t any Toulousains there didn’t spoil it for me.

[quote="Butcher":3tcmpu61] The fact there weren’t any Toulousains there didn’t spoil it for me.[/quote:3tcmpu61] Aren't sons of Toulouse referred to as "Tools"? Might be Castleford though?

[quote="Butcher":t4t1scuv]And a fair opinion, that’s definitely the downside. Though I’m a believer (optimist more like) that clubs shouldn’t be relying on away support to fill their ground or their coffers. How good was the grand final? The fact there weren’t any Toulousains there didn’t spoil it for me.[/quote:t4t1scuv] That is certainly something I agree with. The IMG targets are all about building a club to be self sustaining. That includes both Sky money and away support. They should be bonuses not your main strategy.

[quote="Butcher":3iniqrd3]I agree they haven’t been great on a few fronts this year. But the key word is potential. They’ve occasionally attracted crowds of 6,000 (9,000 against Catalans when their season was dead) and they’d return to that fairly quickly if admitted back in. But moreover it’s France’s fourth biggest city, more than a million people, with all the commercial opportunities that brings, and underpinned by a junior and amateur scene that’s much bigger than Salford or York’s. Apologies for getting way off topic with this, just enjoying the debate.[/quote:3iniqrd3] So just as big as London then? Just like London it won’t work. I would hazard a guess there’s far more juniors and amateurs including schools playing in Yorks demographic location that around Toulouse. There are no professional leagues afterall. If you can give more detail on the excellent junior and amateur scene in Toulouse then I’d certainly be more encouraged. This season a number of posts have been made suggesting that crowds appear to be higher than actual attendees at Toulouse. As it stands they just barely get more than York and Fev etc. I’ve no problem with you thinking Toulouse are this team that will bring in all this commercial benefit to the sport but I’d like to hear why you think that and what it’s based on. London didn’t bring a single zip of benefit commercially to the comp so I can’t see how Toulouse would be different. I’m not saying your wrong by the way but I’m not convinced, maybe o just don’t know as much about the commercial benefits they gain in Toulouse and their youth links etc.