Hello : Sun Mar 29, 2009 5:49 pm  

Hello Everyone i am studying at the University of Central Lancashire and i am doing a big report on how i can generate more awareness of the club.

I was wondering if anyone would be kind enough to let me know some info.
I wanted to know who would you consider at your local rivals. I have put down oldham rougheyds and workington would i be correct?. Also would you agree that while super league teams and premiership football are not really in direct competition to the club to compete for fans non league football teams such as blackpool wren rovers, afc blackpool and even fylde rugby union team are?

If anyone can help answer these i would be grateful.
Any opinons on blackpool panthers would be welcome.
Thank You
AK

: Mon Mar 30, 2009 9:17 am  

Non league clubs aren't in compeition at all. Non of them have more than 50 regular supporters and a number of those watch RL anyway.

Local rivals? Traditionally for Blackpool it's been Rochdale and to a lesser extent Swinton and Keighley. Oldham and Workington have never really figured, in Oldham's case as we've rarely been in the same division for any length of time.

Since the switch to Summer RL the rivalry has dropped somewhat though as we no longer have the big Christmas and New Year derby matches. Borough v the Hairnets at Christmas was always fun!

: Mon Mar 30, 2009 11:15 am  

I would say that Superleague clubs are in somewhat competition- there are a notable number of wigan and saints fans on the fylde coast.

Getting match reports put into local papers might be a start- lytham st. annes express doesn't seem to do any panthers coverage. Also, getting local schools interested would be another idea- free kid with an adult voucher, etc.

I would guess that most Fylde supporters wouldn't go to watch rl as they tend to be public school types and fall into the trait of hating 'the other code'.

I also don't see any of the footy teams (pro or amateur) as being a problem- most people will only watch one sport, and I would guess most amateur sport is free to view.

: Mon Mar 30, 2009 2:59 pm  

thank you so much thats really helpful.
I am actually working with john chadwic on this thing and meet him he kinda seemed stumped for ideas.
The people who i spoke to in blackpool and lytham did not have a clue about panthers, they thought the fylde were the only team around and that they thought they were posh.

i am a bit confused with the league structure. can teams from Co-operative Championship 1 get promoted in to Co-operative Championship. and that teams from Co-operative Championship 1 can not get relegated in to the Rugby League Conference?

i know nothing about rugby union or league so i appoligise for asking so many questions!

Thank You
AK7

: Tue Mar 31, 2009 7:20 am  

there is promotion and relegation between the championship and championship 1, but that is it. to get from the championship to super league, you need to get a license which is like a franchise and this promises no relegation for 3 years (this review cycle takes place every 3 yrs). teams from champ 1 cannot be relegated any further as champ & champ 1 are the only semi-pro leagues, with superleague being pro.

the panthers need to work at raising awareness within the local area- getting school kids along would be a start. also, i am led to believe the team train in wigan, so efforts could be made to link the club up with the wigan warriors- player loan agreements and such which may influence a few more wigan fans to come down.

: Thu Apr 02, 2009 7:22 pm  

yeah thanks man
thats clear i got a lot to do and i appreciate the ideas that have been given.
Thank You
Ak7