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Post by massiveridersfan on Nov 14, 2018 21:15:38 GMT
Why was it so empty? Barely anyone in...worst crowd than the Sharks get? Why is no-one going to these games. Leicester charging too much or no-one arsed? Despite being a 7pm tip-off on a weeknight I am disappointed with the crowds. Really thought we 'd attract way more than the numbers there tonight. Even if we win the league will there be the will & money to try for Europe again next year? |
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Post by massiveridersfan on Nov 14, 2018 21:20:35 GMT
Vulcano came out in the second half with much more intensity on defence and from then on conbasketball kited the outcome. #21 was a fantastic player for them. Nevertheless, this was a very good showing by Riders and we looked far more formidable even without Hampton.
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Post by faz on Nov 14, 2018 21:26:52 GMT
Shocking crowd here tonight. I reckon 250 to 300 Hampton arm still in a sling. Rest kitted up. massive shame |
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Post by interestedridersfan on Nov 14, 2018 21:37:48 GMT
Why was it so empty? Barely anyone in...worst crowd than the Sharks get? Why is no-one going to these games. Leicester charging too much or no-one arsed? Can't sell Wenesday night basketball in Leicester. The Euro games mean nothing to casual fans who are just looking for their weekend basketball entertainment. Is how I would sum it up. From a basketball point of view the quality is better than BBL and we have shown we can compete. From a financial point of view I guess it remains to be seen if it's viable with so few supporters. The other Wednesday games we've been over 1000 fans but this game is sandwiched between 2 weekend games at home. 3 home games in a week too much. its not the cost. It's the appetite for basketball so many times a week I would say. Didn't look like any corporate there either. Very disappointing but still very enjoyable for the fans who were there tonight who included all the noisy ones! (Except Oz?) |
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Post by MansfieldMike on Nov 14, 2018 21:42:38 GMT
Oz was there, with his drum.
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Post by interestedridersfan on Nov 14, 2018 21:43:01 GMT
Oz was there, with his drum. But no 50/50 then? |
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Post by MansfieldMike on Nov 14, 2018 21:44:51 GMT
Oz was there, with his drum. But no 50/50 then? No, and no dancers either |
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Post by MansfieldMike on Nov 14, 2018 21:48:04 GMT
If only we could get more aggression on offence from both Anderson and Washington, when Hampton is fit again, I believe we would be looking pretty decent.
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Post by interestedridersfan on Nov 14, 2018 22:01:42 GMT
If only we could get more aggression on offence from both Anderson and Washington, when Hampton is fit again, I believe we would be looking pretty decent. The squad weve got is more than good enough to win most trophies this season. I've no doubt about that regardless of what we do with our 4 US guys becoming 3. One more Euro game next Wednesday to get out of the way and then lets go and dominate BBL Bristol and Newcastle this weekend Bring them on |
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Post by blueskies99 on Nov 14, 2018 22:31:50 GMT
Why was it so empty? Barely anyone in...worst crowd than the Sharks get? Why is no-one going to these games. Leicester charging too much or no-one arsed? I defy any BBL club to play 4 home games in 13 days an not see a dip in attendances somewhere. |
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Post by massiveridersfan on Nov 14, 2018 23:49:32 GMT
I'd be very disappointed if we weren't able to retain Martin. He made a massive difference tonight. Perhaps he wouldn't want a whole season in the BBL if he can obtain a role with a European team? I'd be much more confident of retaining the league title if he stayed. Brought another dimension to our game.
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Post by faz on Nov 15, 2018 6:27:06 GMT
I’m disappointed that the venture hasn’t been better supported. I felt the venture into Europe probably had a big influence in retaining the likes of Holder and Hampton. If it isn’t financially viable then I doubt riders will be able to retain their likes for a second season in the future. Ultimately would being a top club in the bbl be enough for Rob moving forward?
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Post by faz on Nov 15, 2018 6:34:51 GMT
Oz was there, with his drum. But no 50/50 then? It didn’t sound as there were enough people to sell to! |
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Post by interestedridersfan on Nov 15, 2018 6:52:04 GMT
It didn’t sound as there were enough people to sell to! Yep but that means I might have won! |
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Post by interestedridersfan on Nov 15, 2018 6:53:35 GMT
We aren't able to practise enough right now and it's leading to sloppiness. Between games we are recovering etc
Another learning curve I guess
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Post by interestedridersfan on Nov 15, 2018 7:05:15 GMT
I’m disappointed that the venture hasn’t been better supported. I felt the venture into Europe probably had a big influence in retaining the likes of Holder and Hampton. If it isn’t financially viable then I doubt riders will be able to retain their likes for a second season in the future. Ultimately would being a top club in the bbl be enough for Rob moving forward? I guess it depends the amount of sponsorship we have secured for this. And the extent of the costs as to whether it's viable next year. One issue will be sponsors for Euro games will want to see the venue with more fans in of course for the Euro games. Although maybe the deals can be extended over the full season for the benefit of any new sponsors This was always going to be a learning curve for the club. The most worrying part has to be how tough it is to get fans to Wednesday night basketball in Leicester. Plus it's hard to promote 3 home games on social media in the space of a week I think we will have learnt a hell of a lot both on and off the court. Which was what this was always going to be about. On the court we can certainly compete and it's not been embarrassing despite all the losses. |
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Post by faz on Nov 15, 2018 7:59:23 GMT
I really hope a British club can try again next tear
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Post by interestedridersfan on Nov 15, 2018 8:15:15 GMT
One suggestion I have if we play Europe again is to only schedule away BBL games and don't have any home friendlies near to first home euro game
I realise it's more travel but it means we have more chance of getting fans to our home games on Wednesday nights when it's the only option to watch us at home these weeks. This week fans could choose Lions Friday, Hungarians Wednesday or Eagles Saturday all at home.
The above suggestion purely based on trying to get more fans to watch us in Europe. Money we lose from home BBL games early on we could get back later in the season
Again though we would have to budget for cashflow accordingly
The fact is we got far more fans for Team USA select friendly on a weekend and cheshire friendly on a weekend.
People look forward to their basketball but the casual fans (which is most of our fanbase) only want a game once a week max I think and I imagine some will never come midweek
I also think even with the above - about 1000 to 1200 fans on a Wednesday night is the best we can expect as of now
Next Wednesday I expect similar crowd to last night sadly
(Although there was a rumour tickets may have to be free for that one. Would be interesting how much difference that makes if that is true. I would expect we would still only be half full max as will be so little time to promote it after the eagles home game on saturday)
Later in the season I think we can handle one home BBL game a week to catch up and sell enough tickets
(Now all of the above counts on us going out at this stage again of course. This year it's almost a blessing that we only have one more game to play - as I think we've learnt enough already for future decisions to be made)
If we actually qualified for the next phase of this it would prove even more difficult for the club to keep attracting fans to all of the games
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Post by inaminute23 on Nov 15, 2018 9:14:04 GMT
"If we actually qualified for the next phase of this it would prove even more difficult for the club to keep attracting fans to all of the games"
So, by that theory if Riders got to the semi final, then they would play behind closed doors? What was the point in the first place? Just shows basketball in the UK, lacks real passion.
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Post by interestedridersfan on Nov 15, 2018 9:19:47 GMT
"If we actually qualified for the next phase of this it would prove even more difficult for the club to keep attracting fans to all of the games" So, by that theory if Riders got to the semi final, then they would play behind closed doors? What was the point in the first place? Just shows basketball in the UK, lacks real passion. Should we pretend otherwise? The attendance last night says it all and I don't think it would be different anywhere else tbh 3 home games in a week and midweek will miss out every time |
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Post by notoriousbigz on Nov 15, 2018 9:20:47 GMT
What was the point in the first place? I'd like a genuine answer to that. Not holding anyone to account or having a go at anyone obviously, but I'm really interested in people's thoughts.
What was the point in entering Europe?
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Post by interestedridersfan on Nov 15, 2018 9:22:18 GMT
What was the point in the first place? I'd like a genuine answer to that. Not holding anyone to account or having a go at anyone obviously, but I'm really interested in people's thoughts.
What was the point in entering Europe?
To test ourselves on and off the court? And surely that's exactly what we have done If we want to try this again we know exactly what to expect and exactly what we face now And we haven't bankrupted ourselves trying |
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Post by notoriousbigz on Nov 15, 2018 9:33:11 GMT
I'd like a genuine answer to that. Not holding anyone to account or having a go at anyone obviously, but I'm really interested in people's thoughts.
What was the point in entering Europe?
To test ourselves on and off the court? And surely that's exactly what we have done If we want to try this again we know exactly what to expect and exactly what we face now And we haven't bankrupted ourselves trying The bankrupted yourselves trying thing is an improvement from the last British club that entered any Euro competition so to be fair, you've definitely succeeded on the sustainable front.
But looking at the bigger picture - what is to be gained by it all? Financially its a drain, it puts a strain on the squad schedule wise, you've clearly suffered injuries as a result of the packed schedule, you cant train because you need rest days/travel, and you're not getting the footfall through the door to 1) breakeven or 2) make it an attractive proposition to sponsors in this country who don't really want to appeal to the rest of Europe but to local people.
Whilst I appreciate the want to compete at a higher level as a sportsperson and think it has to be a positive step in raising the bar for BBL teams from that perspective, from a business standpoint it seems that you have to work a lot harder for not that much reward. Its hardly like the Europe cup has massive financial reward as a competition, benefits from a massive TV deal or is even widely known among the UK basketball scene (its even been confused with Eurocup on here - the hardcore!!!!).
As a player - I'm 100% for it and it has to be the ambition to compete there
As an owner looking at the commercial prospect - I'd see it as a pain in the arse.
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Post by MansfieldMike on Nov 15, 2018 9:42:48 GMT
Undoubtedly the turnout last night was poor, but I'm not sure that it was as low as IRF thought. I would have guesstimated it at 500ish, but it would be nice to know the precise figure. Can't someone twist Kirsty's arm to get an exact figure?
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Post by inaminute23 on Nov 15, 2018 10:10:48 GMT
Seriously, did anyone think the attendances would be poor? I for one didn't. I'll go out on a limb and say Newcastle will get much bigger crowds when they enter euro competition. Ultimately, the fan base are the catalyst to send the club on to bigger and beter things. Sponsors are hardly going to part with cash if fans can't be arsed to turn up and watch a very good level of basketball. I really think Riders will think twice before entering again, next season.
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