Leigh Leopards • Re: WARNING! RAMBLE ALERT!
STADIUM (3pts) - Stadium facilities to reach minimum standards and add value to broadcast and fan experience.
Interesting that “broadcast” comes before “fan”, wouldn’t you say!
Define “minimum standards”. We’ve been here before during Licensing - the RFL “saw no ships” on many occasions when these were not met.
STADIUM FACILITIES (1.5 pts): Well LSV has ample toilet facilities; hot and cold drinks (including alcohol) are available to buy also hot and cold food and snacks (really like Peter’s Meat & Potato Pies); there are also corporate boxes and lounges, more than adequate floodlighting and a big screen. The playing surface is second to none and spectators have the choice of standing or being seated. What else do they want at a sports arena - massage parlours? Hairdressing salons?
UTILISATION (1): Which means what? Yes it is also used by other teams. The facilities can be hired for private functions. There have also been a couple of high profile concerts there.
PRIMACY OF TENURE (0.25 pts): Thankfully a small percentage of the points up for grabs as Leigh does not have Primacy of Tenure as Manchester United want the pitch relaid in their close-season meaning during Leigh’s season. Leigh are therefore unable to stage home matches for two months of the summer even if a broadcaster wants them to do so. However, here’s an interesting little point. Following the demise of a couple of high profile Rugby Union clubs, the RFU decided to introduce new licensing criteria one of which was going to be Primacy of Tenure but this criterion was found to be in contravention of UK competition laws! Whoopsadaisy, IMG!
LED (0.125): Bongser assumes that this means that the floodlighting has to be the very white and bright Light Emitting Diode type rather than old fashioned bulbs (or mirrored candles!) Pretty sure the lighting at LSV ticks this box. This section should also ask whether the lighting is roof-mounted or on stanchions that spoil sight lines.
BIG SCREEN (0.125): Tick for LSV.
CATCHMENT (2pts): To maximise growth of the sport in the largest markets to generate new fan bases.
= Area population divided by number of clubs in the area.
AREA POPULATION: Defined as the population of all cities and towns (i.e. of all built up areas or their subdivisions).
Remember Andy Burnham, erstwhile MP for Leigh and one-time President of the RFL? This is where he comes in. Every Leopards fan should write to him and ask that Leigh return to comprising the traditional six vills: Westleigh, Bedford, Pennington, Atherton, Tyldesley cum Shakerley and Astley. Leigh’s population would roughly double overnight but there would also be a kickback for Andy: he could say that he had finally given Leigh a railway station. Bongser’s Goodness! What would rival fans have to sneer about then?
As to further population growth:
Ladies, lie back and think of Leigh; Gentlemen, dig for victory!
Number of clubs in the area presumably means number of pro or semi-pro Rugby League clubs but is, yet again, not properly defined.
RAMBLE OVER!
Statistics: Posted by Bent&Bongser — Tue Mar 21, 2023 1:24 pm