[url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/nov/25/harlequins-mark-evans-leaveGuardian[/url reports Mark Evans is leaving our union brethren after 10 years.

Most relevant bit of the article for us:



Attention club hierachy: Get the chequebook out and instruct this consultant. Whatever your opinion of RU he has overseen dramatic changes to the Union side most obviously in a 9,000 spike in average attendances.

If we're not going to spend money chasing the likes of Joel Monaghan, this is the next best place for it to be invested.

Think it will cross Hughes/Blanchard's minds?

Spot on Pengy, now there is a man who has a proven track record, knows the club and business inside out and could turn our fortunes around.
On the CAW website most RU fans are expressing their surprise and appreciation of what ME has achieved, but there is still the odd, pompous fool who thinks the change is overdue in the wake of Bloodgate. The RU lot will only fully appreciate his talent when he has gone.......a bit like `Deano` who injected some steel and a must win attitude into the team.....but since his departure the RU side have reverted to a middle/bottom end of the table side who do not seem to have the capacity to grind out results even when they have established an early lead (apologies to all for discussing RU matters).

This is further bad news for us. I don't think that without him at Quins we would be at the Stoop. Now he's gone i fear that the new incumbant may take an 'anti' stance against us and either kick us out or price us out. It never rains.....

That thought geniunely had not crossed my mind when writing the original post, but that could also provide another reason for commissioning Evans - a useful insurance policy having someone on board who'll still carry considerable weight at the club.

Totally agree on all of this!

out of interest, what is the basis of our agreement with the Union lot WRT groundshare etc - is it a long term contract?

I believe we had to show we had a ground sorted (for three years) before applying for the licence we have now. I hope this has been done for the new application.

Apology accepted! Now lets hear no more of this Union nonsense!

Mind you, if Mark Evans fancies a bit of a challenge (and we can afford him) reckon he might be the man to finally get the club moving commercially bearing in mind the impact it would seem he had at RU. Certainly worth inviting in for a bit of a chat eh Mr Hughes?

I'm trying to work out what do all these comments say about our current CEO, Paul Blanchard? Is it [ijust[/i that people think Mark Evans would be better (I agree) or is that people think Blanchard isn't doing a very good job. We have been told he had a crucial involvement in the RFL negotiations. So I guess some kudos must go to him for that.

Personally I think Blanchard is about as much use as a chocolate teapot and I can't really think of a many positive improvements under his tenure which have helped to move the club forward.

Mark Evans given free range from Mr Hughes would double our gate in 12 months. given a long run our profile would rise and Mr Hughes would be able to spend less and maybe usea bit of cash for a real marquee signing.

Does anybody actually know what was negotiated with the RFL and what they are doing which has the potential to help DH out?

Tend to agree with this but presumably if we are sent packing you would
think our Landlords would consider where the off season shilling will be coming from.?
I say that as a dual coder with RL as my clear preference.

Agree elsewhere also if we could tap into Mark Evans expertise it will
hopefully prove invaluable.