Where will the crowds come from? : Fri Jan 15, 2010 12:26 pm  

Just been thinking about the situation at the Crusaders and my biggest concern for them is attracting a consistent crowd of spectators to fund this club.

Will many regularly travel from South Wales to support them? Will the club be able to attract the locals in to the ground, in an area which has little rugby league presence?

I personally don't expect big increases in away support. There may be big followings from the likes of Warrington, Wigan and St Helens, but the curiosity factor of South Wales ensured healthy away followings throughout last season.

How much effort is being put in to market the Crusaders in North Wales? Particularly in context of the Rhinos game?

It makes interesting viewing.

Re: Where will the crowds come from? : Fri Jan 15, 2010 1:59 pm  

By the looks of it theres people coming from all over, to watch the Crusaders, season tickets sales have been quoted as being "strong", people I know coming from Wrexham, Flintshire, Denbighshire and theres plenty coming from the original Crusaders territory. The marketing in the North is going full swing atm, Crusaders make the local papers daily (back page too), theres advertising round town.

Expect a pretty good crowd first game! Not sure how it'll go after that really depends on whether Cru give Leeds a game or not I suppose.

Re: Where will the crowds come from? : Fri Jan 15, 2010 3:18 pm  

I know a lot from the area, ex league heartland guys who are going.

You know, I think they should market weekend breaks in Chester.
Hear me out, its a popular tourist area but people from Yorkshire and the like will never have been there, a night in chester onto the game etc

Re: Where will the crowds come from? : Fri Jan 15, 2010 5:10 pm  

Wrexham Goon wrote:

By the looks of it theres people coming from all over, to watch the Crusaders, season tickets sales have been quoted as being "strong", people I know coming from Wrexham, Flintshire, Denbighshire and theres plenty coming from the original Crusaders territory. The marketing in the North is going full swing atm, Crusaders make the local papers daily (back page too), theres advertising round town.

Expect a pretty good crowd first game! Not sure how it'll go after that really depends on whether Cru give Leeds a game or not I suppose.

Strong depends on what your expectation was originally , if it was 10 , 20 is strong , if it was 500 then 50 isn't

Re: Where will the crowds come from? : Sat Jan 16, 2010 2:01 am  

richardviking wrote:

Just been thinking about the situation at the Crusaders and my biggest concern for them is attracting a consistent crowd of spectators to fund this club.

Will many regularly travel from South Wales to support them? Will the club be able to attract the locals in to the ground, in an area which has little rugby league presence?

I personally don't expect big increases in away support. There may be big followings from the likes of Warrington, Wigan and St Helens, but the curiosity factor of South Wales ensured healthy away followings throughout last season.

How much effort is being put in to market the Crusaders in North Wales? Particularly in context of the Rhinos game?

It makes interesting viewing.

Why the Foomongering hell would people travel 50 miles to watch your poop when they will have followed a club in their home town for years???

Re: Where will the crowds come from? : Sat Jan 16, 2010 9:14 am  

Why the Foomongering hell would people travel 50 miles to watch your poop when they will have followed a club in their home town for years???[/quote]

He meant more away fans will travel to the games as its a shorter distance. I'm a Wolves supporter who will certainly be making the trip to Wrexham; who didn't make the trip to South Wales last year.

Re: Where will the crowds come from? : Sat Jan 16, 2010 9:25 am  

DESMONDO wrote:

Why the Foomongering hell would people travel 50 miles to watch your poop when they will have followed a club in their home town for years???

You've peaked too soon pal.

Re: Where will the crowds come from? : Sat Jan 16, 2010 9:58 am  

When you say plenty coming from the original Crusaders territory, well the away travel last season was about 50. I have not heard of one single EXTRA supporter willing to make the away journey to "home" matches and have spoken with a significant section of those travelling fans who have said they'll not bother.

SAYING that I know there's about 10 who WILL give it a go, at least for the first match or two, of which I SUSPECT that will have halved by March.


All this being said, I think predictions of season ticket sales being "strong" are perhaps equally optimistic. However, the amount of "best Aussies we could get at short notice" that have signed, along with Jamie Thackeray who is, I imagine, the Wrexham Crusaders' "marquee signing" who knows? The imported players of this imported side may just prove me wrong and get the tens of Wrexham sports fans turning out in droves!

Re: Where will the crowds come from? : Sat Jan 16, 2010 10:10 am  

jamie thackray? The same jamie thackray linked with dews & fev a few weeks ago. The same jamie thackray that has more emotional baggage he makes marralin mansun (no idea of spelling) seem well adjusted?
If this is the type of player crusaders are pinning their hopes on, i can see more input being required from the rfl to prop the club up before the seasons end!

We'll just see how it goes. I really do have grave reservations.

Re: Where will the crowds come from? : Sat Jan 16, 2010 1:03 pm  

Thackray if he could sort himself out...top player.
However..........