London game confirmed

[Owd Codger]

A 42-16 win was more than I wanted, I'd have settled for any win to avoid jeopardising our league position. The attendance of 8101 was the biggest in London for 9 years. All we need now is for Mr Lenegan to nail down a major sponsor and the experiment will have been a resounding success with Wigan once again showing the way forward.

Who will be the next club to take a game to the Smoke? .

Pity that a International Rugby Union game was on at Twickers as we might have got a few of the support from that game.

[the pieman]

looks like a good day out had by all (or most)

I personally had a good day out

my only gripe is where the ground is / was in terms of getting to it. took >1.5 hours each way to do 7 miles, but I guess that is London and me not knowing the best way around. although I did park about 1/2 a mile from the ground and it cost me nothing which was a bonus as well as seeing most of the major sites of London whilst going through

would go again if it happens in future seasons

not sure if its on this thread or the other one - but if we have signed up KPMG to the business club, and they can be tapped into - that is one potential major global company

at the end of the day I believe that yesterday was all about sponsors / sponsorship, so if IL achieves something out of it then fair play and well done

[DaveO]

Excellent point KW, I presume Leeds and Saints both have planned games in the pipeline

I'm sure the whole of Super League would have been monitoring today's game, not just those two!

The way I see it, if we attract a Blue Chip sponsor as was the intension, he will insist on the London game being an annual event which he will oversee and maximise for his own publicity. Think along the lines of 'The Big One ' which Wigan already do to perfection and other clubs have yet to copy.

I also think that the London game will be against Catalans. It stands to reason that French supporters will be greater inclined to visit London as opposed to say Wigan, St Helens or Hull. In fact, if it goes the way I see it, Catalans will eventually find themselves playing all their away games in London!

Well I can't see an Uk based RL club agreeing to play "away" in London against us as opposed to in Wigan.

They would be furthering IL's business plan for Wigan and doing so by inconveniencing their own supporters. It would be "our" initiative and they would have a tough time marketing it to sponsors hanging on to our coat tails.

Given neither us nor Les Cats are guaranteed to be in the super-8's every season the only way to be sure of a game in London is make it our "home" league game v them.

That will probably cause even more flak than this one as it is a game fans will rightly expect to be part of the season ticket. Particularly if it is earlier in the season (winter).

The idea Les Cats end up playing all their away games in London may seem logical but it's not very sound.

First of all it would underline the fact RL can't flourish in London in its own right. It needs a French team to play there.

If that did happen it would also undermine IL's business plan. Why sponsor Wigan who play there once a year when you can sponsor Les Cats who play there every other week?

[Mike]

Next year's two matches are going to be the CC final (hopefully) and a regular season home game. Seems an OK plan to me

[DaveO]

Next year's two matches are going to be the CC final (hopefully) and a regular season home game. Seems an OK plan to me

You are happy to give up a regular season home game compared the "free" home game we got for finishing where we did in the league for the super-8's?

Which game?

As I said I think it has got to be Les Cats but if we do look like getting to Wembley I can't see many forking out to go to London for a "home" game as well.

[Mike]

I'm sure it will be taken into account in your season ticket pricing.

And yes I went to London twice in years we were at Wembley and played the Broncos.

[Owd Codger]

Next year's two matches are going to be the CC final (hopefully) and a regular season home game. Seems an OK plan to me

You are happy to give up a regular season home game compared the "free" home game we got for finishing where we did in the league for the super-8's?

Which game?

As I said I think it has got to be Les Cats but if we do look like getting to Wembley I can't see many forking out to go to London for a "home" game as well.

Neither will many, especially if no free transport and the same venue!

[EDINBURGH-WARRIOR]

Can understand Wigan fans not being happy at the expense of getting to London but if it is to be played in London there is nothing wrong with the venue IMO. Suspect it might have been played at the Stoop if the Union international had not been on .

Regards , EW

[jaws1]

Can understand Wigan fans not being happy at the expense of getting to London but if it is to be played in London there is nothing wrong with the venue IMO. Suspect it might have been played at the Stoop if the Union international had not been on .

Regards , EW

If we can get supporters like you EW you went to the magic weekend in Edinburgh and liked what you saw I heard Geordie accents behind me at the game may be they liked what they saw at Newcastle.If we know far enough in advance tickets/hotels can be booked in advance my wife was jealous to hell as we had so many landmarks going through London she has only been to Wembley .As for the blue chip sponsors look at the bigger picture they might want to sponsor SL give them more profile for their money.

[EDINBURGH-WARRIOR]

Can understand Wigan fans not being happy at the expense of getting to London but if it is to be played in London there is nothing wrong with the venue IMO. Suspect it might have been played at the Stoop if the Union international had not been on .

Regards , EW

If we can get supporters like you EW you went to the magic weekend in Edinburgh and liked what you saw I heard Geordie accents behind me at the game may be they liked what they saw at Newcastle.If we know far enough in advance tickets/hotels can be booked in advance my wife was jealous to hell as we had so many landmarks going through London she has only been to Wembley .As for the blue chip sponsors look at the bigger picture they might want to sponsor SL give them more profile for their money.

I was a season ticket holder and hooked long before the Edinburgh Magic weekends but i understand and agree with what you mean .

Regards , EW