Ospreys No To Brewery

By Zippy
August 3 2004

The Neath-Swansea Ospreys will not be playing any games at the Brewery Field in the upcoming season. For the full story and reaction read on

Story taken from The BBC 03/08/04

The Neath-Swansea Ospreys have opted not to play any matches at the former home of the defunct Celtic Warriors.

It had been hoped that the Brewery Field in Bridgend would still be a home for top-flight rugby.

But Ospreys management and former Warriors chief Leighton Samuel have conceded that the cost would limit the number of games to a "token gesture".

St Helen's and the Gnoll will have less games once the Ospreys have use of the new Morfa Stadium next season.

Ospreys chief executive Andrew Donald said: "We've had a number of key discussions with Leighton about holding fixtures at the Brewery Field.

"It's become abundantly clear that, while seeming like a great idea on the surface, the reality of actually staging a game at Bridgend is fraught with difficulties.

"Aside from logistical problems like the number of seats versus season-ticket holders, we are both acutely aware that the move could actually alienate three sets of supporters."

The Ospreys were only ever likely to play one pre-season home game at the Brewery Field Bridgend chief Leighton Samuel

The Ospreys have been trying to forge links in the former Warriors areas they have taken responsibility for.

Originally an amalgamation of Pontypridd and Bridgend, the former Warriors set-up suffered from in-fighting between its two parts.

But Bridgend chief Leighton Samuel, who owns the lease at the Brewery Field, believes the move to Morfa - which the Ospreys will share with Swansea City football club - will herald a fresh start.

"In reality the Ospreys were only ever likely to play one pre-season home game here," Samuel said.

"Whilst I know the gesture will be hugely appreciated by both Warriors and existing Bridgend fans, I think we all agree that a longer-term view should now be taken.

"In particular this means focusing on the opening of the Morfa Stadium and using this new neutral facility, without historical ties to any one club, as a way of integrating fans from Bridgend and the surrounding area.

"This will allow for a real and lasting support base to be created, rather than relying on a one-off token game at the Brewery Field as a way of appeasing fans."

 

Zippy Reaction

So the Ospreys lip service to the people of Bridgend lasted all of a few weeks, i'm pleased they realised the idea of playing in Bridgend would not work, by playing in Bridgend they may alienate the fragile supporter base they have.

Cardiff still have plans to play in Pontypridd and we will see if these plans will come to fruition.

I await to see if there is any response from the WRU, is this your regional vision?

Two small bubbles, with 2 teams in each, everyone else has been abandoned.

Someone please stop this mess.