Saving Bristol rugby campaign bulletin number 1
Keep rugby here!
By Big Dave
February 17 2003
More fine words from Big Dave! Here is the first campaign bulletin from the man himself as he (and many others) step up the bid to keep Premiership rugby in Bristol. Please read on as it's full of good ideas.
WELCOME . . .
This is the first bulletin of the campaign to keep Bristol Rugby in Bristol. Over the past few weeks it has become clear that those vying to take over from Malcolm Pearce at the season include those who will keep the club in the city of Bristol, and those who will move the club to Oxford.
Bristol must keep its rugby club, and a decision is needed soon. The team is perched precariously near the relegation zone, and the uncertainty over the club’s future will hamper Bristol’s fight to retain Premiership status. A decision is essential before the home match against Harlequins on 2 March.
This bulletin will update you on the campaign to keep Bristol in Bristol, and will show you how you can help.
If you have any queries, or would like to add someone’s email address to the mailing list, please email helpingbristolrugby@talk21.com.
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TELL US WHAT’S GOING ON, MALCOLM – EVENING POST
The Evening Post reported on Saturday 15 February that Supporters’ Club Chairman David Higgs has written to Malcolm Pearce asking that he makes clear his position on the future of the club as soon as possible.
David has had a reply from the club saying that Malcolm is currently out of the country, and will make a full response when he returns.
You can read the article online at http://62.189.74.93/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=86453&command=displayContent&sourceNode=86451&contentPK=4193577
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WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Everyone can do their bit to save Bristol Rugby. Firstly, write to Malcolm Pearce, asking him to secure the future of Bristol Rugby in Bristol, and to make a decision ahead of the Quins game on 2 March.
Write to Malcolm Pearce at:
Bristol Shoguns Unit 4, Eastgate Office Centre Eastgate Road Bristol BS5 6XX
Write to or email Bristol City Council and your MP, asking them to publicly support the campaign to keep Bristol in Bristol.
You can contact the Council at:
Councillor Helen Holland, Deputy Leader of the Council Bristol City Council The Council House College Green Bristol BS1 5TR
You can contact your MP at:
House of Commons
London
SW1 0AA
You can find out who your MP is at http://www.locata.co.uk/commons/. It also gives you their email, fax and telephone numbers.
Write to the Evening Post to increase awareness of what is happening amongst Bristolians.
You can write to the Post at:
Letters Evening Post Temple Way Bristol BS99 7HD.
Alternatively, you can write a letter online at http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=102894&command=newModule&sourceNode=68909
Don’t forget to sign the online petition on the message board at www.bristolrugby.net.
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JOIN THE SUPPORTERS CLUB
The more members, the greater the voice of the Supporters Club, and the more resources it can put to the campaign to keep Bristol in Bristol.
Contact David Higgs, Chairman of the Supporters Club, or pick up a form from the Bristol Shoguns shop, 2 St Augustine’s Parade
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CAN RUGBY REALLY WORK IN OXFORD?
Oxford United’s owner, Firoz Kassam, is apparently anxious to bring a rugby team to play at the stadium he has generously named after himself. He failed to get Moseley there are after an inspirational campaign by that club’s fans, and he’s set his sights on Bristol. The question is – would it work? It’s unlikely to be as successful as he might think!
Would a team in Oxford get the crowds? The rugby market in the Thames Valley has been pretty well sewn up by nearby London Irish (Reading) and Wasps (High Wycombe). The new team would be boycotted by Bristol’s current fans.
There are problems associated with parking and planning issues around the Kassam Stadium – to have Oxford United playing there one weekend, and a rugby team the next is going to be opposed by the locals.
If Mr Kassam wants to bring a rugby club to Oxford, he’s going to have work closely with Oxford City Council to overcome the parking and planning problems . Relations between Mr Kassam and the Council are strained – this year they have threatened to take him to Court for £500,000! Can we expect the Council to make life easy for Mr Kassam?
Oxford won’t work - there is only one possible route forward, keep Bristol in Bristol!
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SPREAD THE WORD!
Please forward this email to as many people as possible, and anyone who wants to be added to the campaign mailing list should get email helpingbristolrugby@talk21.com. If you have suggestions about this bulletin or how the campaign should move forward, discuss them on the message board of the independent Bristol Rugby site – www.bristolrugby.net.