BT. You feel IMG have to get very involved. They wanted a London presence and it's been handed to them on a plate, such that only IMG and not relegation can take it away from them. Could get very interesting and messy, but this is a huge moment for IMG.
I don't have the background about all the issues over the years with the Broncos, but regardless of the views on David Hughes in particular, surely it's about getting it right now. Whether in the past so much money has been vexed up the wall, loyal fans pushed away, relationships with the club broken down etc, it's time to learn from those mistakes and move forward. Obviously everyone can keep bringing up the past. Fine if it's constructive but self defeating otherwise.
I appreciate there is lot to resolve, but from my short time following, I'm struggling to think of any realistic scenario that would have had London in as strong a position as they find themselves today. I'm really talking from their position in the England game. Behind the scenes the club could be really struggling although my gut feeling is the additional income streams will make a difference. But in terms of a London based club playing at a high level with a future, I think the timing of IMG's changes have fallen at the right time, and credit to London as arguably the team likely to get the most benefit, to get things correct on the playing field and the best moment possible. Last year too early and next year too late.
Bent&Bongser wrote:2024 London loop fixtures: Catalans, Warrington (home), Hull KR, Leeds (away). Magic: Hull FC.
None of them easy but only one trip to the South of France (unless in Cup).
I suspect no games are going to easy for us but you’ve got to be in the comp to find out. And we’ve done it. Remind me do Hull usually implode before or after Magic. If the former we may be in with a shout all things being equal.
Bent&Bongser wrote:2024 London loop fixtures: Catalans, Warrington (home), Hull KR, Leeds (away). Magic: Hull FC.
None of them easy but only one trip to the South of France (unless in Cup).
Bent&Bongser or others could you explain how the Loop fixtures work and how we probably know what they are already. I guess the former relates to the uneven number of fixtures compared to number of teams in the Super League. For the latter is it based on additional derbies / rivals that drives it's make-up and is it fixed season after season or does it change each year?
Smithers99 wrote:BT. You feel IMG have to get very involved. They wanted a London presence and it's been handed to them on a plate, such that only IMG and not relegation can take it away from them. Could get very interesting and messy, but this is a huge moment for IMG.
I don't have the background about all the issues over the years with the Broncos, but regardless of the views on David Hughes in particular, surely it's about getting it right now. Whether in the past so much money has been vexed up the wall, loyal fans pushed away, relationships with the club broken down etc, it's time to learn from those mistakes and move forward. Obviously everyone can keep bringing up the past. Fine if it's constructive but self defeating otherwise.
I appreciate there is lot to resolve, but from my short time following, I'm struggling to think of any realistic scenario that would have had London in as strong a position as they find themselves today. I'm really talking from their position in the England game. Behind the scenes the club could be really struggling although my gut feeling is the additional income streams will make a difference. But in terms of a London based club playing at a high level with a future, I think the timing of IMG's changes have fallen at the right time, and credit to London as arguably the team likely to get the most benefit, to get things correct on the playing field and the best moment possible. Last year too early and next year too late.
There’s been a lot of chat about SL needing a strong London team, in essence, to give it a bit more glamour/national status. I’m not convinced but if that is what is felt absolutely now is the time for everyone to make the effort. If DH puts his hand in his pocket and we strengthen this squad sufficient that we don’t get cast adrift then sending us down would seem to cut across that although I would be far from pleased if I was the heartland, decently supported team that was sacrificed. For me IMG have been well below the radar. My guess is the SL teams basically hamstr8ng any suggestions they make. I simply don’t know what they can actually do but I hope Broncos and IMg are speaking
Happy for the team.....worried for the club. As for smitthers comments about brining up the past, it needs to be done until Hughes realises that he has consistently got it wrong. Even this time around he's got a coach he didn't employ but one that dropped into the job when Hughes appointment proved to be crap. Were still in sub 1k gates and he needs to spend and spend big if we're to get anything more than we did last time. And firstly ....not one person through the gates at Plough Lane shouldn't have their email phone and postal address taken and be flooded with marketing. 50% or more of the 1,500 + Wigan fans who visit will be capital residents.....if Hughes likes a challenge I'll come back from NZ and out of retirement for £125,000 for 1 year and show him how to grow his fan base....he can pay fory flight too
Joined: Jul 25 2015 Posts: 3380 Location: Here (But Only for the Beer)
Smithers99 wrote:Bent&Bongser or others could you explain how the Loop fixtures work and how we probably know what they are already. I guess the former relates to the uneven number of fixtures compared to number of teams in the Super League. For the latter is it based on additional derbies / rivals that drives it's make-up and is it fixed season after season or does it change each year?
London have replaced Wakey. Of the teams in SL next year, you finished lowest (12th) in the general scheme of things. With twelve being an even number, your "loops" are against the other even numbered clubs by league placing in the season just gone. Obviously the same applies to the "unevenly placed" teams.
Not sure how the selection of homes, aways and Magic opponents works.
MW next year features Wigan v St Helens and Leigh v Salford. You could postulate that local derbies were preferred but were that the case why, being available under the above criteria, aren't KR facing FC?
We have just got back from Plough Lane, which was very well attended. What a great time we had and well done the club for putting it on. I have to praise Mike Eccles and the squad for a job well done. After a dreadful start to the season, where talk was of possible relegation. What a job they have done.
orangeman wrote:Happy for the team.....worried for the club. As for smitthers comments about brining up the past, it needs to be done until Hughes realises that he has consistently got it wrong. Even this time around he's got a coach he didn't employ but one that dropped into the job when Hughes appointment proved to be crap. Were still in sub 1k gates and he needs to spend and spend big if we're to get anything more than we did last time. And firstly ....not one person through the gates at Plough Lane shouldn't have their email phone and postal address taken and be flooded with marketing. 50% or more of the 1,500 + Wigan fans who visit will be capital residents.....if Hughes likes a challenge I'll come back from NZ and out of retirement for £125,000 for 1 year and show him how to grow his fan base....he can pay fory flight too
What about as you are retired and want London to succeed why dont you offer your services to Hughes for a deal.What about he rents you a nice flat In Wimbledon for a year, business class flights and he pays you a fee if you hit your averages for the year? Leeds figures posted this year were £2.5 million for ticket sales and memberships.London would be ecstatic with half that figure. Offer 5000 season tickets at £175. 12 home games( average away fans 400 at £20).You are looking at nearly a million there.That is without walk ups for home fans.
orangeman wrote:Happy for the team.....worried for the club.
Not tonight, eh? we celebrate the magnificent win and the return to Super league. We worry about the future in a day or two when our hangover has gone, OK? Let us just have one night to celebrate, we’ve had precious few lately. Certainly not since Toronto
Rise like Lions after slumber In unvanquishable number-- Shake your chains to earth like dew Which in sleep had fallen on you-- Ye are many -- they are few.'
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