Re: Our league : Mon Jan 06, 2020 2:20 pm  

The problem with RL and these kind of things is always about timing and organisation. And yet the sport never seems to learn, or at least it doesn't in this country.

Had this been decided before the fixtures were announced, so that when they were, the kick off times were there for all to see, then I don't think many people could have much of an argument. Any free TV exposure is good, even if it's streaming, and people know what they're getting when the times and dates are announced.

It's this utter stupidity that the sport keeps on repeating of announcing all the fixtures and then changing a load of them shortly afterwards. Sometimes they even announce fixtures and then announce some have changed within a day or two. Organise it properly instead of giving people ammo to complain. Only the most pessimistic fans would find reason to complain about TV deals if it the ducks were all in a row, but instead they announce fixtures, let people plan around them, and then move them about again, infuriating fans.

Last year it was the 1895 cup being shoehorned in at the last minute and there not really being a place for it. And yet they seem to have done the same with it this year meaning there'll be more midweek games clashing with more important weekend matches, so teams will put reserves out for them. And yet again, nobody in power will learn from the mistakes.

The sport is so unorganised at times, it feels like the people arranging the calendar have never done it before.

Re: Our league : Mon Jan 06, 2020 2:38 pm  

tomrhodes28 wrote:

Unfortunately, if that's going to grow the game spectator wise in the Championship then it has to be done. Just the same in Super League with Thursday night games trying to attract sports fans who are looking for some sort of game to watch. For example football fans when there's no Europa League. We are a sport that needs to work around broadcasters because we're not big enough to dictate when we play.

I support what they are doing, just not the last minute delivery which is the usual RFL knee jerk reaction.

If they had announced before season ticket sales started I could have made a better decision. i.e. Not bothered because it means that combined with a summer holiday I now lose money on what was supposed to be a money saver.

Lets be fair, they've know the SL clubs are going to be on a tighter budget for years and known that would negatively impact the CH and L1 but as usual have done sweet FA about it until the last minute.

As anyone in marketing knows, stiffing your loyal and returning base to attract new customers is a dodgy endeavour.

Re: Our league : Mon Jan 06, 2020 2:57 pm  

Scarey71 wrote:

I support what they are doing, just not the last minute delivery which is the usual RFL knee jerk reaction.

If they had announced before season ticket sales started I could have made a better decision. i.e. Not bothered because it means that combined with a summer holiday I now lose money on what was supposed to be a money saver.

Lets be fair, they've know the SL clubs are going to be on a tighter budget for years and known that would negatively impact the CH and L1 but as usual have done sweet FA about it until the last minute.

As anyone in marketing knows, stiffing your loyal and returning base to attract new customers is a dodgy endeavour.

Understand your point on the timing of it, but we don't know what's been going on behind the scenes. Wouldn't surprise me if Sky were taking the mickey to decide whether to allow Our League to broadcast Championship games or they were waiting for a sponsor.

Re: Our league : Mon Jan 06, 2020 3:43 pm  

I'm also in agreement in general for the game to get visability. My point is partly around consistency - within 15 minutes I saw the same fixture advised at 3pm Monday (Bulls site), 7:30 Wednesday and 7:30 Monday (both on OurLeague and still are). Does make planning around public holidays and work commitments very challenging.

Re: Our league : Mon Jan 06, 2020 4:55 pm  

Scarey71 wrote:

I support what they are doing, just not the last minute delivery which is the usual RFL knee jerk reaction.

If they had announced before season ticket sales started I could have made a better decision. i.e. Not bothered because it means that combined with a summer holiday I now lose money on what was supposed to be a money saver.

Lets be fair, they've know the SL clubs are going to be on a tighter budget for years and known that would negatively impact the CH and L1 but as usual have done sweet FA about it until the last minute.

As anyone in marketing knows, stiffing your loyal and returning base to attract new customers is a dodgy endeavour.

I know this might change but as of right now four of our games have been moved. Only one of these is a home fixture. So I'm really not sure how one home game being rearranged suddenly means you're massively out of pocket, or even out of pocket at all?

I'm sure that these decisions weren't left until the last minute on purpose. I criticise the RFL for a lot of what they do but I can at least appreciate when they are trying to be proactive in securing a future for the lower leagues of the sport.

Re: Our league : Mon Jan 06, 2020 7:57 pm  

Sheffield and leigh at home batley and widnes away could also be some more later in season

Re: Our league : Mon Jan 06, 2020 8:35 pm  

kaybenbull wrote:

Sheffield and leigh at home batley and widnes away could also be some more later in season

Yes.Fixtures are only decided up to the weekend of May 16/17th at the moment.

Re: Our league : Mon Jan 06, 2020 9:22 pm  

Ah you're right it is two home games. My apologies, I misread.