By Ruperr Thacker
September 13 2004

Dear Marketing Department, I've worked in entertainment marketing for over 10 years so have a little experience in the field. Having attended Vicarage Road on Sunday afternoon and being a season ticket holder in the Lower Rous, there are several issues I'd like to raise with you. As follows: 1. The person on the PA.
The majority of the crowd are grown adults, able to decide whether or not we applaud, cheer or make some other type of audible sound. If we wish to applaud the opposition, we will. In addition, to make comments such as that at half time regarding Thomas's conversion (or otherwise) is just crass. The purpose of the PA is surely to inform and to "encourage" the crowd, not to be cynical. I've always thought the PA at Vicarage Road was ok, on Sunday it plumbed previously unseen depths.

2. The playing the "Woo Hoo" Song.
I'm pleased, of course, if the opposition don't score points. However, I don't stand there and cheer about it. Those who do are generally kids who don't know better. So why on earth are the club gloating about misses by playing this record? What does it bring to the game exactly?

3. The "Welcome" to the Opposition.
If we wish to applaud the opposition out on to pitch, as the majority did today, then so be it. It doesn't mean that we want them to win, or we want them to give us a good game and let us win in the end, it means nothing. Not applauding them doesn't give us any advantage at all, all it does is to let them hear how many of their fans are there!

4. The playing of "We Will Rock You" at breaks in play.
Crass, in my opinion. The atmosphere generated at a game will only be generated by what happens on the pitch; is this a slight on the fans by the club, implying that the support we offer vocally isn't enough? I reckon not, more an effort to generate "an atmosphere". If the team is performing, there will be an atmosphere, don't worry about that. The playing of cliched rock music doesn't work - at any sporting event, this has never, ever worked.

5. The Purpose of Marketing.
The purpose of marketing is to promote your product in a positive light; in the case of Sarries, the marketing team will be charged with (amongst other things) creating a positive match day experience so that fans will want to return to Vicarage Road. I understand that, but I really don't see how the marketing ideas which have been brought in will either encourage people to return or to teach those new to the game the spirit of rugby or how to behave at a rugby match.

I'm all in favour of trying to gain an edge over the opposition, Sarries turning Vicarage Road into "a fortress" is what we all want to see. However, the way to do that is for the team to win on the pitch, backed up with marketing support – as opposed to getting the marketing to make up for anything which may be lacking on the pitch.

If anyone from the relevant department does read this, I'd be interested to know your response and to offer some ideas for future marketing ideas. On the pitch, this season looks to be the start of something good for Sarries - let's hope that our marketing can go hand in hand with that, rather than take a step backwards.

Regards,
Rupert Thacker