Not a serial poster but here are my thoughts anyway,
The reason I believe they have chosen the Sunday is because of two factors,
1) They (Broncos RL) have obviously realised that one of the BEST supported teams in Super League cannot be expected to 'turn up' in there usually thousands on a Friday night, due to work commitments and travel times, thus,
2) Saturday seems the obvious choice......... BUT!!! This would result in the game being held on the same day as... Footballs Champions League Final (and London/Kent IS football orientated).
So, they have decided to go for the Sunday.
Now, may I say as a Hull FC fan, but now Portsmouth residence, how dissapointed I am with this actual choice of day. I really do feel sympathy for the Black & White faithful for this decision of playing on 'a Sunday', expecially with the 'Magic Weekend' litterally a week later (costs involving accomodation, travel, social (
), work commitments etc, this all add's up).
I have no problem with venue, as it was already stated that this game would be 'taken on the road' to promote the game WITHIN London and the South East,..... but a Sunday?!?!?!
I just think this is another example of RL officiaties (Broncos this time), abusing the loyalty of a teams fans and 'expecting' attendance figures (namely HRLFC, which have one of the biggest away followings in RL).
Why on earth couldn't this fixture be held on a Saturday afternoon with a 2pm K/O for example? This way, the FC Faithful then have the opportunity to either return straight home after F/T or, stay over for the night, but either way be able to return home to East Yorkshire in
good time, for the enivitable return to work on Monday morning.
Although due to my location I'm guarenteed to attend, this is a game that i've already promised that I will take my Father-in-law to (he is from East London himself and a big football, West Ham fan), but this will be his first RL game to attend and I'm really worried as to what he will witness. Regardless of what is produced on the pitch (it could be a NSW v Queensland game for that matter!), without an atmosphere, this could be like watching a Southern League Counties Football game (with similar attendance of 800 to 1,200 max) instead of a 'premier UK sport' that RL HQ and SKY Sports like to portray!!!!
I really do hope that the FC fans try your upmost in such difficult financial times to try and attend this fixture. I'm sure if you turn up in your usual numbers, Gillingham will not have a clue what has hit them!!! And look at it this way, if you do attend, its another 'new territory' that you will have christened (ablit nothing like the South of France!!!).
Here's hoping the commercial and media department of London Broncos and Gillingham FC can pull off a spectacular advertising campaign that even 'SKY TV' would be envious of!!!
Look forward to seeing you there!!!
(Portsmouth is on the cards if you and Lisa fancy it Hutchie!!!!
).
), work commitments etc, this all add's up).
).
