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#Post#: 48992--------------------------------------------------
Harlequins chief executive says the Stoop could open to 5,000
supporters after successful test event
DIR By: deadlyfrom5yardsout
Date: September 9, 2020, 4:51 am
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(Telegraph)
Laurie Dalrymple, the Harlequins chief executive, believes the
Stoop could open its doors to 5,000 supporters after acclaiming
the success of the first test event for the return of fans to
English rugby.
On Saturday, Harlequins hosted 2,700 supporters for their defeat
to Bath as part of a government pilot scheme, which Dalrymple
says went without a hitch. “Off the pitch our initial feedback
was excellent,” Dalrymple said. “We have had some feedback
already from council, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media
and Sport, and senior safety advisory group, all of whom are
happy with the day. I have not heard any supporter negativity.
All the hard work over the past nine to ten days has paid
dividends.”
A range of safety measures were in place from social distancing
to staggered arrival and exit times. Harlequins are hoping to
receive the green light for supporters to be allowed back in for
their final remaining home game against Wasps. With 2,700
supporters present, Dalrymple believes that the club would have
at least broken even. Getting more fans through the gates on a
consistent basis would allow Premiership clubs to take the first
step towards returning to profitability after months of heavy
financial losses.
“It is absolutely key,” Dalrymple said. “We have said on
previous occasions that having supporters in the stadiums is
fundamental to the future financial stability of the clubs. “For
all of our fellow clubs, it has to be done in a format that is
safe and secure. I think we demonstrated today that we can do
that safely and securely. Hopefully we get the chance to do it
again. Perhaps we will get a chance to do it with a gradual
uplift in numbers. It is extremely important to get supporters
in the ground.
“We have to sit down with our company and look at our modelling
and we may need to look at ways we socially distance in the
stadium. Wasps is three and a half weeks away. In this current
climate, we would be hopeful of having demonstrated we can have
an uplift. We would be looking at around 4,500-5,000.”
Unfortunately, Harlequins could not deliver on a performance for
the occasion as two superb finishes from England winger Ruaridh
McConnochie helped Bath to a bonus-point victory. Forwards
Elliott Stooke and Lewis Boyce also crossed to leave Harlequins’
play-off hopes hanging by a thread in what former England
captain Chris Robshaw later indicated would be his final home
game at the Stoop before heading to the United States.
However, Dalrymple’s disappointment at the result was tempered
by what he hopes will be the return of normality in the
Premiership. “I saw today as opportunity to present a really
positive position for Premiership Rugby not just Harlequins,”
Dalrymple said.
“I am extremely pleased that it has gone so well. Rugby as a
sport has the ability to sensibly congregate again and do it
safely. Harlequins have been in that position today but I don’t
see any reason why other clubs can’t do it.”
#Post#: 48994--------------------------------------------------
Re: Harlequins chief executive says the Stoop could open to
5,000 supporters after successful test e
DIR By: Fearless Fred
Date: September 9, 2020, 5:26 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Apart from the snafu with food/drink ordering & delivery*, it
all went pretty smoothly as far as I was concerned. It would be
good to try to increase the capacity, but after the latest news
about restrictions being reintroduced as from Monday we may not
see an increase in numbers allowed for a while...
*I pre-ordered a beer & sausage roll the day before for delivery
at kick-off (only timeslot that I could get n the run up to the
game). It finally arrived 25 mins into the game, while it seemed
others who were ordering on the day at the ground were getting
their orders delivered first. I would have hoped it would be the
other way round...
#Post#: 49017--------------------------------------------------
Re: Harlequins chief executive says the Stoop could open to
5,000 supporters after successful test e
DIR By: Domestos
Date: September 9, 2020, 8:25 am
---------------------------------------------------------
What was to stop you having a bacon sarnie in your pocket and
eating that?
#Post#: 49021--------------------------------------------------
Re: Harlequins chief executive says the Stoop could open to
5,000 supporters after successful test e
DIR By: never sleep
Date: September 9, 2020, 8:40 am
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--- Quote from: Domestos link ---
>
> What was to stop you having a bacon sarnie in your pocket and
eating that?
>
--- End Quote ---
They asked us not to take in food or drink.
Remember - it was a test event. I think that if everyone had
ignored the rules of the event and taken in their own food and
drink, and not worn masks, or stayed in their seats after the
game, then they wouldn't be currently wouldn't be talking about
a follow up event
#Post#: 49028--------------------------------------------------
Re: Harlequins chief executive says the Stoop could open to
5,000 supporters after successful test e
DIR By: Fearless Fred
Date: September 9, 2020, 9:06 am
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: Domestos link ---
>
> What was to stop you having a bacon sarnie in your pocket and
eating that?
>
--- End Quote ---
The fact that after the hour and a half drive to get there it
would've been stone cold.
#Post#: 49038--------------------------------------------------
Re: Harlequins chief executive says the Stoop could open to
5,000 supporters after successful test e
DIR By: quinalan
Date: September 9, 2020, 1:08 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
You'll unfortunately be enjoying hot bacon sarnies at home for
quite a while yet. Such a shame but inevitable.
#Post#: 49039--------------------------------------------------
Re: Harlequins chief executive says the Stoop could open to
5,000 supporters after successful test e
DIR By: J Scott
Date: September 9, 2020, 1:38 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
If this continues into the next season which is likely to be the
case:
1. How many STs will give up and ask for the refund?
2. What will the club offer to try to keep them?
Not many can afford to pay on the off chance of getting a seat,
however the club can not afford to lose the revenue. Still some
difficult decisions and times ahead.
#Post#: 49204--------------------------------------------------
Re: Harlequins chief executive says the Stoop could open to
5,000 supporters after successful test e
DIR By: dogger
Date: September 9, 2020, 7:58 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Having attended the Bath game on Saturday and having watched the
Irish game on TV tonight, putting the matches/refereeing/scores
completely aside:
- it felt safe to be in the ground and most people were
sensible, ie: did what was asked of them, in particular with
regards to social distancing and wearing masks. Respect to the
club, the stewards, the many other staff and yes, the
supporters, for adapting and rising to the challenge;
- in light of the above, it was a tragic shame to see The Stoop
empty again today. It felt and looked hollow again. I would
rather have seen it 2,700/14,800ths full of "home" Irish bods
with zero Quins;
- now we have "shown" that it is possible to have a safe
socially-distanced crowd it is hugely unfortunate that there
will be a delay for this to permeate to the many other fixtures
at other clubs (and yes other sports but charity begins at
home). Such a shame and such a waste;
- Laurie appears to have done a good job in promoting the cause
for supporters to be in attendance, and he has represented the
Premiership well here;
- the apparent push to introduce larger crowds is a worry as it
is premature. This was a pilot event and it has nowhere near
been replicated everywhere yet so one step at a time would be a
better approach. Given the current general C19 climate = more
stringent measures on the imminent horizon, our sport should not
push too hard otherwise we may go backwards with regards to
attendance which would be terrible having just seen major
progress;
- it was very sad to see a significant number of empty/unused
pre-allocated seats on Saturday. If seats are to continue to be
in such short supply, there needs to be an efficient way of
allocating unused capacity to supporters that would love the
chance of seeing a live game. With massively restricted
availability, it is not acceptable for people to write off £x
ticket money just because they cannot be bothered to attend /
don't like the seats they have been given. Those who have
genuine excuses would much rather see their seats reallocated
and a system is needed to address these issues.
#Post#: 49206--------------------------------------------------
Re: Harlequins chief executive says the Stoop could open to
5,000 supporters after successful test e
DIR By: guest465
Date: September 10, 2020, 1:18 am
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Reminds me of a Frankie Boyle joke
He was stopped going into a sports ground and searched . The
steward found a knife in his pocket .. “what’s this “? The
steward asked ... “ I hope you weren’t planning on making
sandwiches “ 😳
#Post#: 49221--------------------------------------------------
Re: Harlequins chief executive says the Stoop could open to
5,000 supporters after successful test e
DIR By: East Sussex Chris
Date: September 10, 2020, 3:34 am
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Thought all was ok in the stadium, But they need to work with
South West Trains, as train was very crowded, and with twice as
many in, I doubt it would be safe.
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