Settle down, folks.
Fred: I feel sure when you think about it, you'll see Jeffles' point about the incongruity of the JBC receiving greater publicity/coverage than the higher-rated comp above it.
Sure, Metro/JBC held us in good stead when that was the highest level they would let us play at. If, as it seems, you want proof of our bona-fides as Newtown supporters in the Metro days, I'll post a scan of my match day programme from that first Newtown/Guildford match in '91.
Nevertheless, our entry into First Division in 2000 meant a higher cost to the club in salaries and expenses. This in turn meant we had to campaign for better exposure for those sponsors who have helped us reach and attain that level.
Sure, the JBC team deserve coverage of their often thankless efforts. None of us debate that. But by the same token, the NSWRL's lack of effort in securing proper coverage for Premier League is important - it's nothing short of sinful and damaging to our club.
Imagine this scenario:
What if, after the ban on the televising of comps involving NRL players was removed in 2002, the NSWRL had actually bothered to negotiate with the ABC (or any other network) and arranged for PL to be televised.
What would the value of Newtown's jersey sponsorship be now if it was seen regularly on state-wide TV? How much more resources could we put behind both our grades if this was the case? How much more recognition would there be of our "non-dead" status if our games were televised?
All this is, like it or not, much easier to make happen via PL than JBC because, just as Jeffles says, Balmain/Wests/St George et al Vs Newtown is infinitely more marketable than Erina Vs The Entrance.
The bottom line is: What's good for the club in terms of revenue and exposure is good for all grades, right down to the Junior Jets youngest teams. The best thing that can happen to us is proper coverage of our top grade - the revenue and respect do, in the eyes of the public and sponsors, derive from that.
If JBC continued to receive coverage in addition to that, then so much the better. The process should be an additive one, not subtractive.
If you're so concerned about lack of attendance at our JBC home games, offer to run a promotion to get more bodies through the gate earlier in the day. It seems you know how tight our resources are in terms of match-day and through-the week assistance, so why not offer to help out in an area you seem to be passionate about.
Bluebag/Jeffles:
As much as you may not agree with Fred on this particular issue, it seems he does have our JBC boys' welfare at heart. Why not keep it civil - God knows there are few enough of us who give a damn about the Jets in any grade.
There's no point in ripping into one another or playing some sort of "I'm more Royal Blue than you" game.
We all know someone who's got that attitude at our club, and he's managed to chase away many useful Jets patriots in his time. So keep it cool, boys - BB should particularly recognise the syndrome.
Regards,
TDT-1
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