Time for a supporter revolution?
On this day 35 years ago, the Live Aid concert took place at Wembley Stadium in London and at John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia. Other concerts were held across Europe and the world to raise money for the Ethiopian famine. 1.9 billion people watched the concerts live, an estimated 40% of the world's population. Well, according to Wikipedia anyway!
The event was organised by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure. One of the more infamous events of the night was when Geldof swore on live television. Whilst commonplace now, it certainly wasn't in the 1980's. There is a misconception that Geldof bellowed "give us your f'ing money".
In reality, the BBC presenter read an address where postal donations could be sent (remember when that was a thing?) and Geldof interrputed and yelled "f**k the address, let's get the numbers".
Whilst BBC executives no doubt panicked, the public lapped it up as donations increased to £300 per second (again, according to Wikipedia)!
It will also not have escaped your attention that this is a rugby league blog. You may wonder what the above has to do with rugby league. It's about time we got onto that now!
The coronavirus pandemic was something that no business, apart from the almost prophetic organisers of Wimbledon who took out pandemic insurance, saw coming nor could prepare for.
The idea of the season being halted after less than two months and income streams drying up was unforeseeable even by the first day of March. In almost an instant, matchday income vanished, and rugby league clubs were left reliant on the money already banked in season ticket and membership sales.
For those lucky enough to own their own stadiums, which they use as a source of income for weddings, conferences and events, this income stream also suffered a famine.
It is the nature of any business that when the money coming in dries up, expenditure must also be reduced and cloth must be cut. If you are a season ticket holder, you may have received an email outlining the stark realities faced by clubs. Even if not, many high-ranking figures at our clubs have given press interviews to similar effect. For some, despite financial hardship, it hasn't prevented them from making high-profile, big money signings (with one owner even pursuing the acquisition of a football club). I'll park the cynicism there for now!
To bring it back to the Live Aid reference, this is rugby league's "give us your f'ing money' moment. Never before has the average rugby league supporter being asked to contribute so much for so little in return. Whether it be not enforcing a claim for a refund of season ticket monies, a virtual ticket, pie or pint, a subscription to a club TV channel, or even the most 2020 thing of all, a facemask with your club's branding on it.
All of this, for no live action in return. This at a time when many, especially those in northern heartlands, will feel the financial brunt of an economic shock. A recession caused by circumstances we have not seen for a century and therefore cannot reasonably foresee how long a recovery will take.
I am torn on the approach by clubs. On the one hand, is it right that clubs almost use tactics of guilt, and see your financial contribution at these times a a measure of your commitment and support? Or, alternatively, perhaps it would be disingenuous of clubs not to fully disclose the financial peril they may face in the absence of income streams?
If you are a football fan, you will no doubt have been enthused by the return of the Premier League. Although it has brought home how much fans contribute to the occasion and how much is lost in their absence.
The event was organised by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure. One of the more infamous events of the night was when Geldof swore on live television. Whilst commonplace now, it certainly wasn't in the 1980's. There is a misconception that Geldof bellowed "give us your f'ing money".
In reality, the BBC presenter read an address where postal donations could be sent (remember when that was a thing?) and Geldof interrputed and yelled "f**k the address, let's get the numbers".
Whilst BBC executives no doubt panicked, the public lapped it up as donations increased to £300 per second (again, according to Wikipedia)!
It will also not have escaped your attention that this is a rugby league blog. You may wonder what the above has to do with rugby league. It's about time we got onto that now!
The coronavirus pandemic was something that no business, apart from the almost prophetic organisers of Wimbledon who took out pandemic insurance, saw coming nor could prepare for.
The idea of the season being halted after less than two months and income streams drying up was unforeseeable even by the first day of March. In almost an instant, matchday income vanished, and rugby league clubs were left reliant on the money already banked in season ticket and membership sales.
For those lucky enough to own their own stadiums, which they use as a source of income for weddings, conferences and events, this income stream also suffered a famine.
It is the nature of any business that when the money coming in dries up, expenditure must also be reduced and cloth must be cut. If you are a season ticket holder, you may have received an email outlining the stark realities faced by clubs. Even if not, many high-ranking figures at our clubs have given press interviews to similar effect. For some, despite financial hardship, it hasn't prevented them from making high-profile, big money signings (with one owner even pursuing the acquisition of a football club). I'll park the cynicism there for now!
To bring it back to the Live Aid reference, this is rugby league's "give us your f'ing money' moment. Never before has the average rugby league supporter being asked to contribute so much for so little in return. Whether it be not enforcing a claim for a refund of season ticket monies, a virtual ticket, pie or pint, a subscription to a club TV channel, or even the most 2020 thing of all, a facemask with your club's branding on it.
All of this, for no live action in return. This at a time when many, especially those in northern heartlands, will feel the financial brunt of an economic shock. A recession caused by circumstances we have not seen for a century and therefore cannot reasonably foresee how long a recovery will take.
I am torn on the approach by clubs. On the one hand, is it right that clubs almost use tactics of guilt, and see your financial contribution at these times a a measure of your commitment and support? Or, alternatively, perhaps it would be disingenuous of clubs not to fully disclose the financial peril they may face in the absence of income streams?
If you are a football fan, you will no doubt have been enthused by the return of the Premier League. Although it has brought home how much fans contribute to the occasion and how much is lost in their absence.
We were no doubt all delighted to hear that Super League will return on 2 August, but will have to deal with the same issues and the void left by empty seats and bare terracing. The noise, character and colour, replaced by coloured plastic and soulless concrete.
If fan contribution was not appreciated before, it surely will be now. Whilst Premier League clubs can be sustained by TV monies alone, Super League clubs cannot be. The need for contributions from a rugby league supporter has never been greater.
Like I said earlier, little return on a proposed supporter windfall is being provided. But interestingly, I see little appetite from the average supporter to receive one. I have seen some clubs offer incentives such as, having your name sewn into a warm up top.
Rugby league fans should demand more. In 2012, Bradford Bulls fans and the rugby league community at large raised £500,000 to "save Bradford" from extinction. Ex-players washed cars and sold winner's medals, priceless mementos which can never be replicated.
And for what? For the club to experience further administrations, liquidation and a phoenix club that doesn't even play in their home city. The money was given over without condition. As a group of supporters, we must learn from our mistakes.
We should not merely give over huge amounts of cash en masse. The pandemic and its effect on our sport provides an opportunity for fans to involve themselves in the governance of the clubs.
Supporters should organise groups and associations and instead of writing a blank cheque, insist on input on how the club is run, such as a seat on the board. This will allow supporters to make their voice heard in a meaningful way and hopefully to prevent their club being the next of a long list of rugby league clubs to suffer from mismanagement and financial ruin.
We would love to hear your thoughts on our proposal! So do leave a comment, share this article or tweet us @TrylineUK on Twitter!
Like I said earlier, little return on a proposed supporter windfall is being provided. But interestingly, I see little appetite from the average supporter to receive one. I have seen some clubs offer incentives such as, having your name sewn into a warm up top.
Rugby league fans should demand more. In 2012, Bradford Bulls fans and the rugby league community at large raised £500,000 to "save Bradford" from extinction. Ex-players washed cars and sold winner's medals, priceless mementos which can never be replicated.
And for what? For the club to experience further administrations, liquidation and a phoenix club that doesn't even play in their home city. The money was given over without condition. As a group of supporters, we must learn from our mistakes.
We should not merely give over huge amounts of cash en masse. The pandemic and its effect on our sport provides an opportunity for fans to involve themselves in the governance of the clubs.
Supporters should organise groups and associations and instead of writing a blank cheque, insist on input on how the club is run, such as a seat on the board. This will allow supporters to make their voice heard in a meaningful way and hopefully to prevent their club being the next of a long list of rugby league clubs to suffer from mismanagement and financial ruin.
We would love to hear your thoughts on our proposal! So do leave a comment, share this article or tweet us @TrylineUK on Twitter!
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