Hood: Entertaining style of rugby key to increasing crowds, not just results (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)
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Hood: Entertaining style of rugby key to increasing crowds, not just results
7:10pm Thursday 4th February 2010 in
Bulls chairman Peter Hood knows the team cannot afford to make a false start this season.
Last year Bradford were sluggish out of the blocks – winning only two of their opening nine games – and the knock-on effect was huge.
Not only did the Bulls suffer on the pitch, failing to make the Super League play-offs, they suffered off it too, average attendance falling below 10,000 for the first time in the summer rugby era.
But a positive pre-season has brought renewed optimism and Hood is confident strong results and a change in ethos can bring the crowds back to Grattan Stadium.
“Everyone in the organisation recognises the importance of getting off to a good start on the field,” said Hood, ahead of tonight’s season opener against Huddersfield at the Galpharm Stadium.
“If you look at last season, that’s what let us down. I hope, at the same time, that we can play entertaining football and enthuse our fans with the style of our play.
“If we can get those results and play expansive, entertaining football, I’ve every reason to believe we’ll start to build our crowd.”
Season-ticket sales have virtually matched figures from last year, meaning the Bulls should not experience any further drop-off in attendance.
Crowds suffered across the board last year, partly as fans felt the effects of the recession.
But Hood also blames a more conservative approach by teams and believes the competition as a whole has a responsibility to entertain.
He said: “We are as a competition in the entertainment business, there’s no doubt about that. We have an entertaining game.
“If you compare our game to the other code, ours is infinitely the better product, it’s much more watchable and much more entertaining. There is, nevertheless, an onus upon the game as a whole to continue to be entertaining and we certainly intend to do that.
“It’s often said that defence wins games, and I would not for a moment contradict that. We’re going to have to be very solid in defence but also fairly expansive in the way we score tries to get round those other defences that are pretty good in our competition.
“If we can do those things then I see no reason why we shouldn’t enjoy better support in 2010 than we did in 2009.
“In the longer term of course, a new stadium’s part in attendance is absolutely fundamental.
“We’ve looked at figures from Hull and Warrington and it’s beyond dispute that a better environment in the stadium leads to better attendances.”
Hood confirmed at Wednesday’s successful fans’ forum that the Council’s executive committee are set to meet on February 16 for a decision on whether to progress with the proposed Odsal Sporting Village project.
He also revealed ambitious targets for the new season, telling a sizeable crowd at Grattan Stadium the Bulls are hoping for a top-four finish and a place in either the Grand Final or Challenge Cup final.
Comments(19)
theviking52
says...
10:02pm Thu 4 Feb 10
to go back, to a side that dominates, both field and ball possession, reminds me of the game, i first played, prior to the 6 tackle rule.
Kyiv
says...
10:03pm Thu 4 Feb 10
Steve Mac for the Sack. wrote:I for one, would rather watch a Roger Millward, than a Paul Deacon.
Simply not true. If it was then why did the so called 'boring' teams of Smith, Elliot and Nobby attract more fans that Macca's so called expansive style of team?
This is the fact, winning rugby is entertaining rugby and you don't have to play expansive to win games.
Personally I find it more entertaining to watch a team play solid mistake free rugby and dominate territory and possesion than a team that throws the ball about and knocks on 2 out of every 5 sets as we have seen more often than not in the last 4 seasons.
Would you rather see an expansive average team or a solid team that wins games by strangling the life out of opponents?
Kyiv
says...
10:06pm Thu 4 Feb 10
“If you compare our game to the other code, ours is infinitely the better product, it’s much morewatch able and much more entertaining.”
What a load of b**llocks; if millions of Rugby Union supporters agreed, they’d all be watching Rugby League. Whilst we RL fans despair with the RU kicking game, ask any RU supporter south of Warrington, and they’ll admit to being equally frustrated with stop-start tackle nature of RL.
Quote number 2
“Hood confirmed at Wednesday’s successful fans’ forum that the Council’s executive committee are set to meet on February 16 for a decision on whether to progress with the proposed Odsal Sporting Village project.”
If, as expected, this scheme is once more consigned to the bin, we can all soon expect to heading down Valley Parade way, in an effort to safeguard Bulls Super League status – and help City out with their expenditure. Maybe then, they shall be in a position to buy a couple of decent players.
I fully expect Bulls to finish second this season, yet with regard to the Grand Final winners, RFL are becoming a mirror image of the NFL, with any one of eight teams capable of winning the Superbowl. With the benefit of home games- and few qualifiers, this gives the top two a big advantage.
Like the Bulls before them, the dominance of Saints and Loiners is slowly coming to an end- due to the salary cap, rather than any great improvement by others. Many of last seasons results show it to be the case. Another Leeds-Saints final was due only to the shortcomings of other clubs, and the reason Catalans went so far.
Sadly for the Bulls, McNamara is a forward orientated coach, with the emphasis on down the middle power rugby. This will be his and Bulls undoing, as the team which shows some flair will invariably win the game that matters.
There’s been too much apathy at our club during the past few seasons, from the directors through to the coaching staff and players. It appeared a ‘hope for the best’ attitude existed. Too many ageing – crocked players (Morrison and Solomona for example) – God knows why Trinity and Wire take a risk on such injury prone players. Yes, I know Menzies is almost drawing his pension, but he is clearly very fit.
For all the decent signings and subsequent optimism, I’ll be interested to see if anyone could be *rsed – or afford, to replace the blown scoreboard bulbs.
Fartown Giants 16 Northern Bulls 36
theviking52
says...
10:31pm Thu 4 Feb 10
Stuart
says...
11:28pm Thu 4 Feb 10
Steve Mac for the Sack.
says...
11:41pm Thu 4 Feb 10
Kyiv wrote:Well I'd rather watch a good solid team than a few fancy dans.
Steve Mac for the Sack. wrote: Simply not true. If it was then why did the so called 'boring' teams of Smith, Elliot and Nobby attract more fans that Macca's so called expansive style of team? This is the fact, winning rugby is entertaining rugby and you don't have to play expansive to win games. Personally I find it more entertaining to watch a team play solid mistake free rugby and dominate territory and possesion than a team that throws the ball about and knocks on 2 out of every 5 sets as we have seen more often than not in the last 4 seasons. Would you rather see an expansive average team or a solid team that wins games by strangling the life out of opponents?I for one, would rather watch a Roger Millward, than a Paul Deacon.
haitch
says...
12:14am Fri 5 Feb 10
I just wish there wasn't the clammer for the Bulls to it the ground running. This is a side who for a large part have not played a single competetive game together so I do hope people will allow them 2 or three games to gel and stop piling on the pressure. We will all be in a position to comment and judge in around a month to 6 weeks. Meantime COYB!!
Craig
says...
8:16am Fri 5 Feb 10
Stuart wrote:I'd keep your money in your pocket as far as Wakey are concerned Stu. If you're looking for outside bets, i would suggest the Bulls and Hull FC are your outsiders at the prices quoted as both should have a better chance than the odds suggest providing they keep their squads together. If you want to make money, sadly, i think you have to pile it on Leeds for the top. While other teams are on the up and Leeds' star will wain over the next couple of years, no other club can match their squad for depth this season and that's what will ultimately win out for them.
Tonights the night - Good Luck to the Bulls in 2010. I can get 13 to 1 on the Aussie TAB for the Bulls to win the flag. I reckon I might put a few bob on, also Wakefield at 30 to 1 so might back them as my outsiders. Hope I'm on the right track your comments would be appreciated. For your Info Big Willie has signed for the Cowboys my opinion great forward and will be a good asset so long as they can keep out of Townsvilles pubs and clubs.
With regard to the Bulls, i am much more optimistic than i was after last season ended, despite the great run to the end. If we stay fit, we look as competitive as any squad and have certainly improved past Cas, Wakey, Hull KR and i might even venture Wigan. I am unsure where to set my expectations but i think a minimum top 6 has to be realistic and with a fair wind and an Orford and Kearney in the halves maybe top 4?
Good luck tonight to the Bulls, i can't wait to get to the G-pharm and i'm going for the Bulls by 6-10 points.
howard naylor
says...
8:57am Fri 5 Feb 10
Howard Naylor's mum
says...
9:22am Fri 5 Feb 10
BrisBull
says...
9:39am Fri 5 Feb 10
The latest changes to RU laws have only heightened the need to kick, which is frustrating for player and supporter.
RL of course, for any fan is damned frustrating because of inconsistent refereeing.
I wouldn't even make the comparison Mr Hood, you plainly don't watch the "other code".
Anyway, back to the plot. We ought to be certain of better performances than last year, with better rugby on show.
We'll see if pre-season form and play is going to get carried into the real thing tonight. I, for one can't wait.
Like Haitch, as I've said before here, please don't judge the team on the first game - either way. It's going to take a number of games before we see the real Bulls.
By the way, thanks for that Howard's Mum!
COME ON YOU BULLS!!!
spanglishbull.uk
says...
9:59am Fri 5 Feb 10
I thought you knew your Rugby.Roger Millward a fancy dan,come off it ,one of the best half backs this country has ever produced.By the way Haitch hope you are watching tonight.I will be in my local bar with my couple of Guiness cheering the lads on.
Adey
says...
10:15am Fri 5 Feb 10
theviking52 wrote:I'm with SMftS (again!). I'd rather see good, solid, well worked rugby. Camp in the opposition half, force the errors and snub them out. Saints and Leeds can sling the ball about all they want but huddersfield ended with the better defence! They rely heavily on simply outscoring their opponent. We're not going to score loads of tries because defences are meaner and out backline isn't lightning. You play to your strengths and ours this season is a team of reasonable unknowns, solid defence and hopefully some common sense!!! As for attendances, try reducing the gate fee from £18 to £15, put the "Kids for £2.50" back in the T&A and go back to what made the club a pioneer...FAMILY VALUES instead of a balance sheet.
i think what hood is saying is that a good defence wins games but we need a good attack to score tries, ie one that can break down defences, like we did in the past. i think expansive may have been the wrong word to use. as for mistake free its impossible, everyone makes mistakes, a good side is one that, yes, dominates, scores tries when in oppositions' half whilst trying to keep out the others.
to go back, to a side that dominates, both field and ball possession, reminds me of the game, i first played, prior to the 6 tackle rule.
Howard Naylor's mum
says...
10:29am Fri 5 Feb 10
When Howey was a little boy, I used to take him with his first step dad to Odsal to watch the Northern, he used to idolise Paul Harkin, David Hobbs, Mr Hanley (what a lovely chap he was to us ladies!) and of course the very nice joiner from Sedburgh, Sir Keith I think he called him, as he grew up he and his mate from Cleckheaton used to catch the 268 up to Odsal on Sunday and swing by Robbie Pauls house after the game to get an autograph, oh how are Howard loved Robbie, the poster on his wall was adorned with little love hearts bless him, over time he got disillusioned with the copper from Odsal nick and his mate from Skirlaugh and he jumped ship and started to pretend to be a Rhino fan, he even went as far as taking his Steve McGowan posters down and replacing them with ones of Jamie Jones Buchanan....
BrisBull
says...
10:55am Fri 5 Feb 10
Do you think little Howie can ever be saved, and returned to us again?
Howard Naylor's mum
says...
12:19pm Fri 5 Feb 10
Steve Mac for the Sack.
says...
12:47pm Fri 5 Feb 10
spanglishbull.uk wrote:Before my time fella. Anyhow, I'm not saying he wasn't, I'm just speaking generally.
S,M.F.T.S, I thought you knew your Rugby.Roger Millward a fancy dan,come off it ,one of the best half backs this country has ever produced.By the way Haitch hope you are watching tonight.I will be in my local bar with my couple of Guiness cheering the lads on.
mumbyfan
says...
2:04pm Fri 5 Feb 10
howard naylor wrote:Whinos attendance in 1996 was less than 10k, and there was no recssion then, or could that be down to the fact LUFC were in the top flight? Numpty
Less than 10 000 Crowds a sign of the times in this Credit Crunch era! Recession not over in my LKife BumBoot!
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Steve Mac for the Sack. says...
8:59pm Thu 4 Feb 10
This is the fact, winning rugby is entertaining rugby and you don't have to play expansive to win games.
Personally I find it more entertaining to watch a team play solid mistake free rugby and dominate territory and possesion than a team that throws the ball about and knocks on 2 out of every 5 sets as we have seen more often than not in the last 4 seasons.
Would you rather see an expansive average team or a solid team that wins games by strangling the life out of opponents?