7pm-8pm: RUGBY LEAGUE HOUR
Jack Dearden and Trevor Hunt with the Rugby League magazine programme. Wigan Warriors half back Luke Robinson. There's also a full preview of the weekends' games. Reaction to the Challenge Cup Semi Final draw and match tickets to be won.
Think that means Lukey will be on the radio.
GMR this evening
Re: GMR this evening
John Huxley was on the GMR phone-in, I could not believe his blatent disreagrd to what the fans want. What a PLICK!
For those that didn't get the chance to hear it he was defending the RFLs decision to stage our semi at the Halton Stadium saying it was the best venue and all four clubs had given the venue the ok. When asked why Gregory had told of his disapproval he changed the subject.
He claims that he is running a business and it does not make good business sense to hold a game that will not sell out. He gave the impression that it was infact the fans fault and that if we wanted a ticket we ought to get down the ground on Monday and queue for one. He said that it was an occassion when tickets would be in high demand and that's what they wanted. He didn't have a lot to say about the fans that will be forced to miss it.
He went a bit into what experience has told him over the last few years. He states that not all season ticket holders will go to cup matches and reckons that this will create an excitement for tickets which will lead to a fantastic final.
In my personal opinion this guy is full of rubbish and has totally ignored what virtually every proper RL fan in the country is saying.
On a lighter note though- Luke Robinson was on the radio. You wouldn't think he is only 19, he's got such an old head on his shoulders and he's so confident. If you ask Luke we're going to clean up this season. It's a good attitude to have and he wasn't in the slightest bit arrogant.
For those that didn't get the chance to hear it he was defending the RFLs decision to stage our semi at the Halton Stadium saying it was the best venue and all four clubs had given the venue the ok. When asked why Gregory had told of his disapproval he changed the subject.
He claims that he is running a business and it does not make good business sense to hold a game that will not sell out. He gave the impression that it was infact the fans fault and that if we wanted a ticket we ought to get down the ground on Monday and queue for one. He said that it was an occassion when tickets would be in high demand and that's what they wanted. He didn't have a lot to say about the fans that will be forced to miss it.
He went a bit into what experience has told him over the last few years. He states that not all season ticket holders will go to cup matches and reckons that this will create an excitement for tickets which will lead to a fantastic final.
In my personal opinion this guy is full of rubbish and has totally ignored what virtually every proper RL fan in the country is saying.
On a lighter note though- Luke Robinson was on the radio. You wouldn't think he is only 19, he's got such an old head on his shoulders and he's so confident. If you ask Luke we're going to clean up this season. It's a good attitude to have and he wasn't in the slightest bit arrogant.
Re: GMR this evening
I've always had a high regard for Mr Huxley, but I'm not impressed with this. I missed the radio show but I suprisingly did get a reply to my email, I suspect a stock reply to all the email complaints but nonetheless:-
Re: Powergen Challenge Cup semi-finals
Thank you for your recent communication about the Powergen Challenge Cup semi-finals. It is always useful to hear everybody's opinion about issues
concerning our sport and I can assure you that we take all points of view into consideration when we make decisions concerning the Powergen Challenge Cup competition or, indeed, any of our other major tournaments.
We at the Rugby Football League have a policy of creating as many exciting events as possible and there are numerous factors to take into consideration when we decide which venues to hire for our major fixtures.
Our policy is to ensure, where possible, that we reach maximum capacity within stadiums for major fixtures. It is extremely important for Rugby
League's national profile that major televised matches are played in front of packed stands. Historically Cup semi-finals have not sold out for many years. An important factor is the impact on attendances that live terrestrial television has - so comparisons between weekly crowd figures and the potential for a semi-final crowd can be very misleading.
I would also like to stress that we analysed closely the ticket sales pattern for last season's semi-finals.
Before making our decision we consulted fully with all four clubs and they supported the venues chosen. Please do not underestimate how much players and fans enjoy the kind of atmosphere that that is created by full stadiums.
For 2004 we have selected two stadia, the Halton Stadium and the Halliwell Jones Stadium, whose prime occupants are Rugby League clubs so that the
chances of clashing with other major sporting fixtures are virtually removed, that local authorities who have invested heavily in our sport by
providing first class stadia are rewarded and that we fulfil all our contractual obligations to our sponsors and broadcast partners.
I very much regret that you are unhappy with our choice of stadium for the 2004 Powergen Challenge Cup semi-finals and we shall bear your comments in
mind when we come to decide venues for future prestige fixtures.
Yours sincerely,
JOHN HUXLEY
Media and Public Affairs Executive, RFL
Load of crap I think. I mentioned in my original email that the Superleague eliminator for the two teams had more than 12000 in attendance, he's replied with something about the weekly attendances being misleading. The bit about last year's ticket sales is rubbish as well, the MacAlpine is a big stadium and everyone knew it wouldn't sell out so most people paid on the day. Of course there'll be no paying on the day for this fixture. I'd love to know what investment has gone into the Chemical Stadium by the local council, they haven't even managed to build 4 stands! There's little local parking, and it's been one of the most expensive venues since the Chemics were promoted so presumably that reflects the club needing the money, not a sign of investment from outside. I notice also a bit about contractual obligations, I'm still convinced this is the key one and the BBC have insisted upon a full stadium but also the opportunity to increase their viewing figures. Personally I'd rather we had an 80% full, modern large stadium where everyone who wants to go can go, but the RFL disagree. I'd like to us have an ambitious sport with aims to fill the larger venues (or least be seen by the casual viewer to be trying to do that), but instead we're playing in a poxy 3-sided place which isn't the most glamourous of stadia. Casual viewers are going to see a small-town old-style stadium, and think we're still a small-town old-style sport. We're not, but the powers-that-be don't seem to care.
Re: Powergen Challenge Cup semi-finals
Thank you for your recent communication about the Powergen Challenge Cup semi-finals. It is always useful to hear everybody's opinion about issues
concerning our sport and I can assure you that we take all points of view into consideration when we make decisions concerning the Powergen Challenge Cup competition or, indeed, any of our other major tournaments.
We at the Rugby Football League have a policy of creating as many exciting events as possible and there are numerous factors to take into consideration when we decide which venues to hire for our major fixtures.
Our policy is to ensure, where possible, that we reach maximum capacity within stadiums for major fixtures. It is extremely important for Rugby
League's national profile that major televised matches are played in front of packed stands. Historically Cup semi-finals have not sold out for many years. An important factor is the impact on attendances that live terrestrial television has - so comparisons between weekly crowd figures and the potential for a semi-final crowd can be very misleading.
I would also like to stress that we analysed closely the ticket sales pattern for last season's semi-finals.
Before making our decision we consulted fully with all four clubs and they supported the venues chosen. Please do not underestimate how much players and fans enjoy the kind of atmosphere that that is created by full stadiums.
For 2004 we have selected two stadia, the Halton Stadium and the Halliwell Jones Stadium, whose prime occupants are Rugby League clubs so that the
chances of clashing with other major sporting fixtures are virtually removed, that local authorities who have invested heavily in our sport by
providing first class stadia are rewarded and that we fulfil all our contractual obligations to our sponsors and broadcast partners.
I very much regret that you are unhappy with our choice of stadium for the 2004 Powergen Challenge Cup semi-finals and we shall bear your comments in
mind when we come to decide venues for future prestige fixtures.
Yours sincerely,
JOHN HUXLEY
Media and Public Affairs Executive, RFL
Load of crap I think. I mentioned in my original email that the Superleague eliminator for the two teams had more than 12000 in attendance, he's replied with something about the weekly attendances being misleading. The bit about last year's ticket sales is rubbish as well, the MacAlpine is a big stadium and everyone knew it wouldn't sell out so most people paid on the day. Of course there'll be no paying on the day for this fixture. I'd love to know what investment has gone into the Chemical Stadium by the local council, they haven't even managed to build 4 stands! There's little local parking, and it's been one of the most expensive venues since the Chemics were promoted so presumably that reflects the club needing the money, not a sign of investment from outside. I notice also a bit about contractual obligations, I'm still convinced this is the key one and the BBC have insisted upon a full stadium but also the opportunity to increase their viewing figures. Personally I'd rather we had an 80% full, modern large stadium where everyone who wants to go can go, but the RFL disagree. I'd like to us have an ambitious sport with aims to fill the larger venues (or least be seen by the casual viewer to be trying to do that), but instead we're playing in a poxy 3-sided place which isn't the most glamourous of stadia. Casual viewers are going to see a small-town old-style stadium, and think we're still a small-town old-style sport. We're not, but the powers-that-be don't seem to care.
http://fraggle.fotopic.net
"You rescue me, you are my faith, my hope, my liberty.
And when there's darkness all around, you shine bright for me, you are a guiding light to me....
You are a Tower of Strength to me" - Wayne Hussey, The Mission.
Shepherd's Bush Empire - 27/Feb/08 - 1/Mar/08
[hr]
"You rescue me, you are my faith, my hope, my liberty.
And when there's darkness all around, you shine bright for me, you are a guiding light to me....
You are a Tower of Strength to me" - Wayne Hussey, The Mission.
Shepherd's Bush Empire - 27/Feb/08 - 1/Mar/08
[hr]
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LuKe RoBiNsOn Iz FiNe 'N' tHe BeSt !!
- Posts: 43
- Joined: Sun Mar 14, 2004 4:02 pm
Re: GMR this evening
When????? which station???
Re: GMR this evening
This evening 7-8pm BBC Greater Manchester Radio, if you goto www.bbc.co.uk/radio and search for GMR you might find something online
Re: GMR this evening
Like Fraggle I've thought John Huxley was ok in the past, but then again he was only answering an email query. The man was stuttering and spluttering like a fool and was obviously rattled by Jack Dearden who wasn't letting go but the man was not giving an inch and was just refusing to bend, listen or see anyone else's point of view, he had clearly been given some sort of brief by someone higher and told not to deviate from it. Its clearly too late for this time but methinks they wont make this mistake again - no consolation for the thousands who will not get a ticket though.
Never argue with an idiot. He will bring you down to his level and beat you with experience.
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Alex the Warrior
- Posts: 494
- Joined: Sun Oct 19, 2003 12:40 pm
Re: GMR this evening
Another joy about visiting Widnes is wondering if you'll still have two wing mirrors on your car after the game. Last season, all the cars which obviously belonged to Wigan fans that were parked on the road on the other side of the playing field had one ripped off. I was lucky and escaped this as my reg plate is froma garage in Liverpool.
From Mission Impossible (1991) to The Great Escape (2006)
Re: GMR this evening
I hope there's no police reading this. Possession of stolen goods holds a lengthy sentance!Alex the Warrior posted:
Another joy about visiting Widnes is wondering if you'll still have two wing mirrors on your car after the game. Last season, all the cars which obviously belonged to Wigan fans that were parked on the road on the other side of the playing field had one ripped off. I was lucky and escaped this as my reg plate is froma garage in Liverpool.