Save The Warriors!

By Zippy
May 19 2004

The following is a letter I have sent to David Moffet explaining my outrage at yesterdays events. Whether he reads it or not is doubtful but I can but try.

Dear Mr Moffet,

 

Yesterday’s news came as a complete bolt out of the blue to me it completely ruined my day. For that I thank you.

 

I help run a Warriors supporters site www.celticwarriors.co.uk there is another site www.celticwarriors.info take a look at these sites to get the views of ordinary supporters.

 

Right lets look at the decision from an ordinary Celtic Warriors supporter’s perspective, in the season 2002/03 Bridgend won the league championship and Pontypridd achieved success in the Parker Pen. Did both sets of fans have reasons to feel aggrieved about the merger – YES of course they did.

 

We looked at the big picture that was the national side and saw that was not working and we needed the top talent playing in the best sides.

 

And come round to the idea we did, there was the obvious wrangling that occurs, but was no more than that. The season started without the world cup stars and the Warriors did ok, with what in effect was a quickly patched up side.

 

Then came the Heineken Cup, it came a bit too soon for us but we still achieved success beating the English Champions who look like they will win the tournament and last years runners up. In any other group we may have qualified but such is life.

 

Warriors kept on going to finish a very creditable fourth in the league.

 

Warriors Problems Off The Field

 

-         Leighton Samuels – I backed him through thick and thin, the man does not know if he is coming or going. Spent all of his time shouting at fans and even threatened to pull his money out because a few people dare question the size of the crowd at Sardis Road. In retrospect I wish he did because at least then we might have been taken over by someone who wanted to run the club and had the relevant skills to do so and I may even not be bothering to write this letter.

-         The BBC – How many Warriors home games were covered by the BBC? I don’t remember the exact number but too many, when they kick off so early 705pm people simply can’t get too the games and it is easier to watch from home.

-         Marketing – Ever seen a Warriors poster or any other form of marketing? I don’t.

-         Merger Talk – The merger with Cardiff and the constant feeling the club may go out of business does not exactly draw people to the region.

 

Despite this the Warriors replica jersey is the best seller in Wales, combine this with the Heineken Cup gates and several Celtic League games with crowds of ~5,000 and you will see that this region has potential.

 

I’m also not sure if you realise this but Bridgend and Pontypridd have long been the best regions at producing young talent, have you had a think about the implications of this? These kids may now go to play football, there will be no next Neil Jenkins or Rob Howley.

 

What happens if you do shut the Warriors down?

 

-         The players? The Vultures will come in no doubt and many of the players will play for other Welsh Regions, but several may completely lose faith and go overseas and how can you blame them? I can’t. They signed for the Celtic Warriors not Cardiff or Gwent.

-         The Fans – The 500,000 or so who live in the “Warriors” region, what will happen to them? They certainly won’t support Cardiff or the Ospreys, so what will happen to them? The semi–pro teams may enjoy slightly better crowds but most will simply watch rugby from the luxury of there armchair and be lost to the game.

 

The State of Welsh Rugby?

 

We will have four professional clubs, are they evenly spread throughout Wales I wonder? NO THEY ARE NOT

 

Cardiff and Newport are within ten mins of each other

As are Swansea and Llanelli.

 

So we have basically two pro clubs in Swansea and Cardiff.

 

Does this look like the long term solution to you? It doesn’t to me. There are 2.9million people in Wales, 75% of whom do not live in a professional rugby area. This is a ridiculous farce.

 

What on earth made you think 4 was the best number in the first place? Did you pay an expert such as McKinsey to conduct a feasibility study? I bet you didn’t.

 

So we had 5 and 5 was a success this season, proving we do have the playing talent, this however did not change your mind did it? You are a very stubborn man who likes his own way even when proved wrong.

 

Then you need to consider only 3 Welsh teams allowed in the Heineken Cup giving Mike Ruddock (Well done on the way you appointed him) a very thin base of players to choose from.

 

My Sadness.

 

I have really enjoyed this first season with the Warriors, more than I ever thought I would. The team if allowed would go from strength to strength, as would the support.

 

So if disbanded this season would have been totally meaningless, I supported a non-existent team. Can you please refund my tickets and Warriors Merchandise I have bought?

 

I blame you personally for this, I am a rugby fan through and through and will support anything if it is the most reasonable option. This decision is not.

 

We are at the end of the day people and we cannot be messed around in this way, you just cannot do that.

 

I hope you can see the light and reconsider your decision.

 

Save The Warriors!