CATALANS DRAGONS are calling on UK-based support to sing them all the way to Old Trafford.
Les Dracs were dumped out of the Coral Challenge Cup last week at Hull and are now focusing all efforts on Super League success this season.
The club has identified a lack of support at away fixtures as a factor in their patchy away performances and have launched an initiative to stimulate and co-ordinate supporters.
Catalans traditionally brings few spectators to away games because of the cost to supporters of flights and accommodation on a regular basis throughout the season.
The club is conscious of the lack of support and the effect this can have on atmosphere at games, and also the team’s performances.
Coach Steve McNamara told Sang Et Or.com : “Any support we get in the UK is really appreciated. We understand that French fans cannot travel once a fortnight because the costs add up over a season.
“But over here in Perpignan we often see thousands of visiting fans because it’s a once-a-year trip. Their support is fantastic, vocal, it adds to the atmosphere at the game and can help lift the visiting team’s players.
“We’d like to have that kind of support when we play in the UK.”
“As players and coaches we are conscious of that lack of support. It can have an effect on games. We’ve seen how passionate and supportive the Catalans fans are in Perpignan and at Wembley and Camp Nou but we understand they cannot be there all of the time in the UK.
“If we can encourage a supporters group in the UK it would benefit everyone.”
Catalans have appointed a UK-based representative, Rugby League International Federation official and Super League Director Niel Wood
.
His role is to represent the club at all meetings in the UK and help t co-ordinate support for the Dragons.
He told Sang Et Or.com : “We have set up the framework for a UK Supporters Club based upon the fact that there were over 1200 people on the SL database who identified as a Dragons fan.
“We are working on channels of communication for these supporters and we intend to work with all the SL Clubs to get discounted offers for Dragons fans and to encourage them to congregate together at games - it already happens informally but it would be a powerful statement to have a regular group meeting together and having a presence in the stadium. Hopefully from there we can grow this to significant numbers.”
Yannick Rey, Dragons Media Manager, added: “We know we have fans in England and we want to try to co-ordinate them.
“We also have a small number of supporters who travel regularly, the objective is now to gather them to create a social bond. We feel this is very important, particularly for events such as the Magic Weekend or the Grand Final.”
Perpignan-based news agency Catalan Media has launched a #CatalanAssembly campaign to encourage supporters to attend Saturday’s Round 17 Super League clash at Warrington.
The game is televised live on Sky Sports and a spokesman for Catalan Media said: “We want to show people that it’s fun to be a Catalan fan, and you don’t have to live in France to support the club.
“We have secured a discount on tickets for Dragons supporters who will be assembling in Block Q at the Halliwell Jones.
“We’re encouraging everyone to wear blood and gold colours and sing the Catalan supporters’ songs.”
