London Broncos • Toulouse

IMG have talked a good game (quietly) up to now and I am hopeful of realising their broader vision. I think a lot of people get caught up in thinking IMG are the arbiters of the game. But they are a partner and ultimately control will rest with the RFL who have often talked us up, but failed when it's come to setting the conditions to allow us to thrive as an expansion area, particularly in recent years.

I remember posting a few months back on the thread about Plough Lane/matchday experience/finances etc and saying then that Plough Lane was the facility we needed in 3-4 seasons time. It's worth remembering too that in the initial discussions around our use of the stadium, promotion back to SL potentially had us paying £500,000 a season for the privilege. Not sure whether that is still the case or not, but I guess we are going to get a good look at whether Wimbledon is the successful strategic draw Hughes thinks it must be!

Will Hughes put his hand in his pocket again now we are back in the big league? Yes, probably to an extent and in the short term he has very little choice otherwise, unless we see substantial investment from a new party, or an additional 4000 season ticket holders sign up between now and February. I laugh at some of the 'pundits' and RL talking heads out there, who are calling for a Leigh 2.0 from us next season. I think there is a lack of broader awareness of just how close to ground zero we are going to be starting from again, arguably more so than 2018.

Don't get me wrong, I am very happy and very excited not just about next season, but the opportunity this presents to potentially secure the clubs longer term future at the top level. I just hope we make best of it, because we could not have asked for it to be served up any better.

Statistics: Posted by Knocker_White — Mon Oct 16, 2023 8:34 am — Replies 40 — Views 2891

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