|
|
Rank | Posts | Team |
Moderator | 3533 | No Team Selected |
Joined | Service | Reputation |
Feb 2009 | 16 years | |
Online | Last Post | Last Page |
Aug 2023 | May 2022 | LINK |
Milestone Posts |
|
Milestone Years |
|
Location |
|
Signature |
TO BE FIXED |
Moderator
|
|
Issued by Leigh Centurions press office
In accordance with the club's policy of honesty, integrity and transparency, I need to advise you that the club again faces a series of issues which, if not addressed quickly, could affect the long term future of the club. The loss of the lucrative friendly with Salford and the adverse weather which affected the Swinton game has led to a cash flow problem over the next two months.
This, coupled with the poor attendances at the last two games, needs to be tackled quickly. The missing 400 fans need to be found and asked to support the club, by attending the home games.
I appreciate that some fans are trying to balance their finance in this poor economic climate, but we all need to raise the attendances by finding the missing 400. I have in the past made the point that every 100 attending is worth £1000 to the club. With only eleven home games left, a consistent shortfall of 400 will cost the club £44,000. If we can recover the 400 fans, this will also highlight the desire within the town to demonstrate its support for the club's bid for Super League.
The club has a very successful lottery, which has over 2000 members and if only a fraction of these members attended, then the future of the club would be enhanced. I know that there are numerous supporters that buy season tickets, and are members of LISA and the lottery, but what we really need is to challenge everyone in the town who are fans to contribute, ideally by attending, but if not then by joining the lottery, LISA and the Touchdown club.
The business community also need to be challenged to make their contribution. If we can secure twenty companies, each pledging £2000, this would raise £40,000 so I would like to announce the ‘400/20 Challenge’ to all businesses in the town, to make the pledge. I know many will not be able to donate £2000, but every pledge of £500 will help; as in the old saying ‘every penny helps’. So I would ask all supporters to approach their employers and ask the question, ‘What are you prepared to do to secure the future of the club?’ We need to bang the drum and get out and tackle and challenge everyone who BeLeighves in our club.
This year we have strengthened the squad and are playing the best rugby for years. Paul has done a tremendous job in his first year, becoming Coach of the Year. We finished second in the league last year. Paul has now embarked on this season’s campaign, in the belief that the squad is bigger and stronger than last season. We have now won four games in a row with only one slight blip at Featherstone, in our first game of the season, which was in part the consequence of a disrupted pre-season.
The Board and I are committed to tackle the business community to back the club.
We need you to help this challenge and tackle your friends, neighbours, and work colleagues about getting down to LSV and getting behind Paul and the team. The club has the best facilities in the Championship, and better than several Super League clubs. We are so close to achieving sustainability without the white knight scenario, on the simple philosophy of what can we do for the club, as opposed to the old approach of what can I get from the club. The volunteers that have committed their time to achieve this are an impressive foundation, upon which we can continue to build, and rightfully be entitled to become the next Championship club in Super League.
So let’s focus on the missing 400 and 20+ businesses to fulfil the ‘400/20 Challenge’. All the directors, Trevor and Rob Parker would like to hear from you. You can also contact the Touchdown club, LISA and Superleigh Lottery.
Please make the call and come to our remaining home games.
You can contact the club on 01942 487887, or the following club personnel by e-mail.
Chairman Keith Freer - kfreer@widdows.co.uk
Chief Executive Trevor Barton MBE - trevor.barton@leighrl.co.uk
Business Manager Rob Parker - rob.parker@leighrl.co.uk
Superleigh Lottery - lottery@leighrl.co.uk
Touchdown Club - touchdown@leighrl.co.uk
|
|
Issued by Leigh Centurions press office
In accordance with the club's policy of honesty, integrity and transparency, I need to advise you that the club again faces a series of issues which, if not addressed quickly, could affect the long term future of the club. The loss of the lucrative friendly with Salford and the adverse weather which affected the Swinton game has led to a cash flow problem over the next two months.
This, coupled with the poor attendances at the last two games, needs to be tackled quickly. The missing 400 fans need to be found and asked to support the club, by attending the home games.
I appreciate that some fans are trying to balance their finance in this poor economic climate, but we all need to raise the attendances by finding the missing 400. I have in the past made the point that every 100 attending is worth £1000 to the club. With only eleven home games left, a consistent shortfall of 400 will cost the club £44,000. If we can recover the 400 fans, this will also highlight the desire within the town to demonstrate its support for the club's bid for Super League.
The club has a very successful lottery, which has over 2000 members and if only a fraction of these members attended, then the future of the club would be enhanced. I know that there are numerous supporters that buy season tickets, and are members of LISA and the lottery, but what we really need is to challenge everyone in the town who are fans to contribute, ideally by attending, but if not then by joining the lottery, LISA and the Touchdown club.
The business community also need to be challenged to make their contribution. If we can secure twenty companies, each pledging £2000, this would raise £40,000 so I would like to announce the ‘400/20 Challenge’ to all businesses in the town, to make the pledge. I know many will not be able to donate £2000, but every pledge of £500 will help; as in the old saying ‘every penny helps’. So I would ask all supporters to approach their employers and ask the question, ‘What are you prepared to do to secure the future of the club?’ We need to bang the drum and get out and tackle and challenge everyone who BeLeighves in our club.
This year we have strengthened the squad and are playing the best rugby for years. Paul has done a tremendous job in his first year, becoming Coach of the Year. We finished second in the league last year. Paul has now embarked on this season’s campaign, in the belief that the squad is bigger and stronger than last season. We have now won four games in a row with only one slight blip at Featherstone, in our first game of the season, which was in part the consequence of a disrupted pre-season.
The Board and I are committed to tackle the business community to back the club.
We need you to help this challenge and tackle your friends, neighbours, and work colleagues about getting down to LSV and getting behind Paul and the team. The club has the best facilities in the Championship, and better than several Super League clubs. We are so close to achieving sustainability without the white knight scenario, on the simple philosophy of what can we do for the club, as opposed to the old approach of what can I get from the club. The volunteers that have committed their time to achieve this are an impressive foundation, upon which we can continue to build, and rightfully be entitled to become the next Championship club in Super League.
So let’s focus on the missing 400 and 20+ businesses to fulfil the ‘400/20 Challenge’. All the directors, Trevor and Rob Parker would like to hear from you. You can also contact the Touchdown club, LISA and Superleigh Lottery.
Please make the call and come to our remaining home games.
You can contact the club on 01942 487887, or the following club personnel by e-mail.
Chairman Keith Freer - kfreer@widdows.co.uk
Chief Executive Trevor Barton MBE - trevor.barton@leighrl.co.uk
Business Manager Rob Parker - rob.parker@leighrl.co.uk
Superleigh Lottery - lottery@leighrl.co.uk
Touchdown Club - touchdown@leighrl.co.uk
|
|
|
|
|
Rank | Posts | Team |
Moderator | 22898 | No Team Selected |
Joined | Service | Reputation |
Jun 2005 | 20 years | |
Online | Last Post | Last Page |
Mar 2023 | Mar 2023 | LINK |
Milestone Posts |
|
Milestone Years |
|
Location |
|
Signature |
TO BE FIXED |
Moderator
|
| For more info come to lisa meeting tonight where Trevor and rob will be attendance
|
|
|
|
Rank | Posts | Team |
Player Coach | 706 | No Team Selected |
Joined | Service | Reputation |
Feb 2008 | 17 years | |
Online | Last Post | Last Page |
Oct 2019 | Oct 2019 | LINK |
Milestone Posts |
|
Milestone Years |
|
Location |
|
Signature |
TO BE FIXED |
|
| Here we go again
|
|
|
Rank | Posts | Team |
Player Coach | 6858 | No Team Selected |
Joined | Service | Reputation |
Oct 2009 | 15 years | |
Online | Last Post | Last Page |
Sep 2019 | Nov 2018 | LINK |
Milestone Posts |
|
Milestone Years |
|
Location |
|
Signature |
TO BE FIXED |
|
| Quote ="The Publican"Here we go again
'"
yep
|
|
|
Rank | Posts | Team |
Player Coach | 929 | No Team Selected |
Joined | Service | Reputation |
May 2009 | 16 years | |
Online | Last Post | Last Page |
Jan 2018 | Sep 2017 | LINK |
Milestone Posts |
|
Milestone Years |
|
Location |
|
Signature |
TO BE FIXED |
|
| 5 weeks in and we're going tits up again.
We BeLeighve.
|
|
|
|
Rank | Posts | Team |
International Chairman | 6047 | No Team Selected |
Joined | Service | Reputation |
Jun 2002 | 23 years | |
Online | Last Post | Last Page |
Nov 2018 | Aug 2018 | LINK |
Milestone Posts |
|
Milestone Years |
|
Location |
|
Signature |
TO BE FIXED |
|
| The ones we should be targetting are those who don't attend games - and those are unlikely to be reading the club site or this message board. I'm sure the loyal fans have flogged it to death with 'BOB' etc over the years.
It needs a major push from the club (I don't know exactly how) but it needs to be in the face of the majority of people of Leigh, Atherton, Tyldesley, Lowton etc
I'll say it once again, why have we not tried Saturday evening games??????? Many on here have favoured it but it's always Fri or Sun with no mention of Saturday. The game could be built up during the day on Saturday, in and around town to create a buzz.
|
|
|
Rank | Posts | Team |
International Chairman | 9547 | No Team Selected |
Joined | Service | Reputation |
Feb 2002 | 23 years | |
Online | Last Post | Last Page |
Apr 2016 | Mar 2016 | LINK |
Milestone Posts |
|
Milestone Years |
|
Location |
|
Signature |
TO BE FIXED |
|
| This is the reality guys, and it's quite straight forward.
* We're running on a very tight budget.
* Our attendances are down significantly on last year (so far).
* Salford screwed us out of a relatively lucrative home friendly match.
We've got a financial shortfall to cover. If we (as a club) don't do something now then it will cripple us.
We're not going tits up, but come the end of the season we may be if we don't cover this shortfall.
So there it is people - lets see how much this town wants this club, and in this I include current supporters, lapsed supporters, pick and choose supporters and the businesses of the town.
|
|
|
Rank | Posts | Team |
Player Coach | 3302 | No Team Selected |
Joined | Service | Reputation |
Mar 2009 | 16 years | |
Online | Last Post | Last Page |
Sep 2014 | Sep 2014 | LINK |
Milestone Posts |
|
Milestone Years |
|
Location |
|
Signature |
TO BE FIXED |
|
| I brought along 2 BOBS last season and one is now a ST holder the other still comes too but for those two extra I bet a few have stopped coming meaning they won't have made a difference on increasing the fan base .
|
|
|
|
Rank | Posts | Team |
International Board Member | 1072 | No Team Selected |
Joined | Service | Reputation |
Jan 2003 | 22 years | |
Online | Last Post | Last Page |
Sep 2017 | Aug 2017 | LINK |
Milestone Posts |
|
Milestone Years |
|
Location |
|
Signature |
TO BE FIXED |
|
| If I'm a manufacturer of biscuits and my sales are down, I don't plead with my most loyal customers to encourage their friends to eat my brand of biscuit with the threat that if they don't then those biscuits won't be on sale anymore.
It's a bit lame really, isn't it?
|
|
|
Rank | Posts | Team |
Club Coach | 13012 | No Team Selected |
Joined | Service | Reputation |
Jun 2005 | 20 years | |
Online | Last Post | Last Page |
Jan 2021 | Apr 2020 | LINK |
Milestone Posts |
|
Milestone Years |
|
Location |
|
Signature |
TO BE FIXED |
|
| Quote ="Leigh24.7"The ones we should be targetting are those who don't attend games - and those are unlikely to be reading the club site or this message board. I'm sure the loyal fans have flogged it to death with 'BOB' etc over the years.
It needs a major push from the club (I don't know exactly how) but it needs to be in the face of the majority of people of Leigh, Atherton, Tyldesley, Lowton etc
I'll say it once again, why have we not tried Saturday evening games??????? Many on here have favoured it but it's always Fri or Sun with no mention of Saturday. The game could be built up during the day on Saturday, in and around town to create a buzz.'"
Ivan you are so right?Once again this message is going out to mostly the converted ,i would say about 70% of posters and readers of this Forum attend games , admitted we do have a few who cant be ar4$d , just like to give advice it was obvious just looking at our 2 home attendances so far this season , that it wasnt enough , but what doesnt help is folf saying Boycott games that just hurts the club , and achieves nothing , neither does folk Knocking the Management , when they are doing everything they can to give us a team to support .
Along with Lynda , i myself bang the Drum every week for the club trying to raise funds ,we are doing OK , but can do much better with others help ,Demon did his bit , then asked for help , and recieved no offers , its alright saying "Here we go again ",when the club says we need help , Trevor , Keith Freer , and Rob Parker are not Doom and Gloom merchants , they just tell it as it is ,Cmon Leythers show you care , turn up on Friday , show the Directors we want a club to support .Its no use moaning when its to late .
|
|
|
Rank | Posts | Team |
Player Coach | 3648 | No Team Selected |
Joined | Service | Reputation |
Mar 2010 | 15 years | |
Online | Last Post | Last Page |
Aug 2018 | Apr 2018 | LINK |
Milestone Posts |
|
Milestone Years |
|
Location |
|
Signature |
TO BE FIXED |
|
| Does the club have details of past season ticket holders who have not renewed on their database? If so, would it be worth directly targeting these people, whether it be sending them a letter and a couple of beer vouchers or sending people round to 'canvass' them?
|
|
|
|
Rank | Posts | Team |
Moderator | 3533 | No Team Selected |
Joined | Service | Reputation |
Feb 2009 | 16 years | |
Online | Last Post | Last Page |
Aug 2023 | May 2022 | LINK |
Milestone Posts |
|
Milestone Years |
|
Location |
|
Signature |
TO BE FIXED |
Moderator
|
| In response to those saying 'Here we go again' - would you rather the club say nothing till it's too late?
In response to those stating that those who read this board are those who already do their bit - well it isn't just targeted at this forum. I posted it on here (and Leighlife and Facebook and Twitter) to get the message out and hopefully those who use the internet will help to spread the message that we desperately need more people attending.
|
|
|
Rank | Posts | Team |
Player Coach | 135 | No Team Selected |
Joined | Service | Reputation |
Jun 2009 | 16 years | |
Online | Last Post | Last Page |
Jul 2016 | Jul 2016 | LINK |
Milestone Posts |
|
Milestone Years |
|
Location |
|
Signature |
TO BE FIXED |
|
| The club should base their costs profile on 1500 fans and not 1850 (which is 100 higher than last years with a good CC cup run) .
If that means trimming the squad down then so be it.
If money is so tight, why are we still signing players. We should have a base of 18-20 players max and call in loans or U23's when required.
This is looking like we'll all be eating our own words, and end up dualling up with Wigan. This is why most other Championship teams have gone down this route.
At the end of the day, there's no P&R (which is the main reason people have stopped watching), SL will change the rules come the next round of licenses (assuming they will still go down this route, but no-one will know till the last minute), so just live within your means or end up bust.
The majority of supporters are 40-plus, so this is only going to get worse.
Kids are either watching a SL team, football, or just not interested.
It'll be back to a training allowance and winning pay only shortly, but we may win more as no win no pay. Blackpool FC paid small wages but a massive bonus on promotion to the Premier League, and look what happened there.
|
|
|
Rank | Posts | Team |
International Star | 120 | No Team Selected |
Joined | Service | Reputation |
Feb 2013 | 12 years | |
Online | Last Post | Last Page |
Apr 2014 | Apr 2014 | LINK |
Milestone Posts |
|
Milestone Years |
|
Location |
|
Signature |
TO BE FIXED |
|
| There are 5 yes count them 5 sl games taking place on fri, 3 in close proximity to leigh. What sorf of crowd do people expect us to get on fri
|
|
|
Rank | Posts | Team |
Club Coach | 13012 | No Team Selected |
Joined | Service | Reputation |
Jun 2005 | 20 years | |
Online | Last Post | Last Page |
Jan 2021 | Apr 2020 | LINK |
Milestone Posts |
|
Milestone Years |
|
Location |
|
Signature |
TO BE FIXED |
|
| You can never please everyone , if we have a smaller squad , then as has been said we end up with more loan players , eventually becoming a Twin - club , again causing uproar , its a no win situation for the club .
Our contracts for the players , i bet they are not that high , and the club is trying to attract younger fans , in any way they can , i myself will be bringing 2 people with me on Friday who have not been to the LSV this season ,if a few more did this it would help .
|
|
|
Rank | Posts | Team |
International Chairman | 16250 | No Team Selected |
Joined | Service | Reputation |
Feb 2002 | 23 years | |
Online | Last Post | Last Page |
Feb 2020 | Feb 2020 | LINK |
Milestone Posts |
|
Milestone Years |
|
Location |
|
Signature |
TO BE FIXED |
|
| That's quite quick for you WF haven't seen you since the end of 2011.
|
|
|
Rank | Posts | Team |
International Star | 21929 | No Team Selected |
Joined | Service | Reputation |
Aug 2011 | 13 years | |
Online | Last Post | Last Page |
Jan 2025 | Jan 2025 | LINK |
Milestone Posts |
|
Milestone Years |
|
Location |
|
Signature |
TO BE FIXED |
|
| Quote ="waterfield's finest"If I'm a manufacturer of biscuits and my sales are down, I don't plead with my most loyal customers to encourage their friends to eat my brand of biscuit with the threat that if they don't then those biscuits won't be on sale anymore.
It's a bit lame really, isn't it?'"
Quite right
|
|
|
Rank | Posts | Team |
International Chairman | 16250 | No Team Selected |
Joined | Service | Reputation |
Feb 2002 | 23 years | |
Online | Last Post | Last Page |
Feb 2020 | Feb 2020 | LINK |
Milestone Posts |
|
Milestone Years |
|
Location |
|
Signature |
TO BE FIXED |
|
| Alternative solution is following from you I hope. Spell it out for them as they need all the help they can get. All ideas will be welcome and seeing as you are laughing at this one you must have a better idea.
|
|
|
Rank | Posts | Team |
International Star | 2383 | No Team Selected |
Joined | Service | Reputation |
May 2012 | 13 years | |
Online | Last Post | Last Page |
Mar 2024 | Oct 2020 | LINK |
Milestone Posts |
|
Milestone Years |
|
Location |
|
Signature |
TO BE FIXED |
|
| Well there you go, all the fans need to bring more people in through the gates.
I also expect to see the directors out and visibly canvassing new or lapsed supporters in town. Does anyone in town really know what the 'beleighve' campaign is about?
Why don't the directors set up a stand in the spinning gate and sell the club to the public one Saturday? After all they are not putting any money in (rightly or otherwise)
I only need to walk down Bradshawgate or in the Spinning gate and I will easilly find out everything I need to know about SKY digital. How does Joe Public in Leigh find out about the towns RL team?
Something to think about.
In October 2006, there was an urgent meeting in The MM bar led by Mr Coffey and Mr Freer with an appeal for urgent funds to stop the club going out of business
In October 2011, there was a meeting at LSV led by Mr Coffey and Mr Freer with an appeal for urgent funds to stop the club going out of business.
Guess what is happening Now/ Tonight?
It's not just the fans and businesses that need to raise their game.
|
|
|
Rank | Posts | Team |
Player Coach | 598 | No Team Selected |
Joined | Service | Reputation |
Mar 2009 | 16 years | |
Online | Last Post | Last Page |
Jul 2016 | Jul 2016 | LINK |
Milestone Posts |
|
Milestone Years |
|
Location |
|
Signature |
TO BE FIXED |
|
| Say it's a cup final on Friday, they all come out of the woodwork then
|
|
|
Rank | Posts | Team |
International Chairman | 5010 | No Team Selected |
Joined | Service | Reputation |
Mar 2002 | 23 years | |
Online | Last Post | Last Page |
Dec 2022 | Dec 2022 | LINK |
Milestone Posts |
|
Milestone Years |
|
Location |
|
Signature |
TO BE FIXED |
|
| Must admit I'm surprised we budgeted for a crowd of 1,800.
The clubs voted for more games and a increase in the league but many supporters will pick and choose as in effect the games are pretty easy to predict and was always going to lack the intensisty we had enjoyed in the Championship last season - throw in that you only need to win a small percentage of games over the season to make a extended end of season Play off and it means we was always likely to struggle week to week.
On a similar vein I also feel the clubs will see a drop in the NRC final and the GF as even though they might save money on ground hire costs the attractiveness of the fixture will have gone for many supporters - some poor decisions made for short term gains IMHO.
I think the LSV as a place to watch RL needs working on, great facilities yet a 3/4 empty stadium with no atmopshere (with half a match played away from the crowd) is a tough one to sell in these days of multiple leisure activities, I put a few ideas out about how I felt the club must try and create a atmosphere a few weeks ago (if people are bored at a stadium they won't come very often ) be it segregation creating areas for away fans to congregate or looking at ways of using the stadium to make sure the fans feel part of the action, the little things help a lot.
In terms of getting fans in - we play on Friday this week, in the plus and minus camp many will turn up / not go, sports clubs need trends (every other sunday I go watching Leigh = Gets me in a habit), I still say 6.15 pm Kick off Saturday evening in Summer is surely worth a go as its up against nothing (Friday will be up against numerous SL fixtures and the blue chip TV fixture, people also will be coming home from work and might not be bothered - especially if the weathers naff, Sundays clashes with Football on TV and family in the summer), if we are skint we really do need to try it out (it worked for a unattractive fixture against Toulouse - in which it was also reported we did well for sponsors.......).
Whatever has gone wrong (and nows not the time for searching for whats gone wrong or finger pointing) we need to ensure this cannot carry on happening, with respect its looking like ineptitude and whilst it might seem harsh saying that (especially with the things going on in our sport) we really need to ensure this stops happening - perhaps its time for realism and also a time for people to back the club.
|
|
|
Rank | Posts | Team |
International Board Member | 16601 | No Team Selected |
Joined | Service | Reputation |
Aug 2002 | 22 years | |
Online | Last Post | Last Page |
Mar 2024 | Nov 2023 | LINK |
Milestone Posts |
|
Milestone Years |
|
Location |
|
Signature |
TO BE FIXED |
|
| There must be a change in structure, convert loans/PG's to shares and open the shares up to the fan base.
|
|
|
Rank | Posts | Team |
International Board Member | 1072 | No Team Selected |
Joined | Service | Reputation |
Jan 2003 | 22 years | |
Online | Last Post | Last Page |
Sep 2017 | Aug 2017 | LINK |
Milestone Posts |
|
Milestone Years |
|
Location |
|
Signature |
TO BE FIXED |
|
| Quote ="DemonUK"That's quite quick for you WF haven't seen you since the end of 2011.'"
I think the lack of interest, atmosphere and entertainment value is reflected on this MB. It's become very dull.
Still, see that Tipster S is back and with some good news. Congrats TS.
When I read this poorly written begging bowl challenge note today I rolled my eyes heavenward.
Ain't going to work. The club needs better than this every three months.
With no investors in sight isn't it time ownership was opened up to the fans? I mean, what is the book value of SC Leigh? Is it even positive?
|
|
|
Rank | Posts | Team |
International Board Member | 2448 | No Team Selected |
Joined | Service | Reputation |
Nov 2002 | 22 years | |
Online | Last Post | Last Page |
Dec 2020 | Sep 2020 | LINK |
Milestone Posts |
|
Milestone Years |
|
Location |
|
Signature |
TO BE FIXED |
|
| I agree it was a bit of a rambling message! It also seems completely devoid of new ideas.
The secret is cutting your cloth according to your means, clearly something we haven't done.
I feel we are a bit like someone who is drowning, they keep managing to come up for air but eventually they sink beneath the waves, ne'er to return. Crikey, speaking of drowning, I think I'm going to open a bottle of wine and drown my sorrows!
|
|
|
Rank | Posts | Team |
Moderator | 22898 | No Team Selected |
Joined | Service | Reputation |
Jun 2005 | 20 years | |
Online | Last Post | Last Page |
Mar 2023 | Mar 2023 | LINK |
Milestone Posts |
|
Milestone Years |
|
Location |
|
Signature |
TO BE FIXED |
Moderator
|
| What the message says is we are behind right now, it may not be a problem if crowds dont improve.
However should they stay the same, then there will be a problem, this is mainly due to the debt we've been carrying since Arthur left, last year we had to pay the RFL back the advance.
So it was always gonna to be a tough year, I think we did budget. A little too high with 1800 fans, but that team we have deserve supporting.6
|
|
|
|
|