Wasps Ricoh Arena interest is a concern for Coventry Rugby..

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No, we are not the only club in Coventry. I bet clubs such as Broadstreet, Barkers, Pinley etc will agree with me. Didn't CRFC take players from these clubs just after the sad events of 4 to 5 years ago. Without the cooperation of these clubs we would not be where we are now.

And if it wasn't for the brilliant work by Coventry Council some 5 years ago, we would not have CRFC either. The council did outstanding work to get us out of the mire. Some people have very short memories, but I haven't.

You're right, Dave, of course you are but it doesn't mean that the Broadstreets, Barkers, Pinleys, etc, would be any less disenchanted with the idea of Wasps moving to the Ricoh.
Whilst I would undoubtedly go to watch a headline game between Wasps and A N Other at the Ricoh, I would be seriously concerned if the Ricoh became Wasps home ground. In the club's fight for survival and financial security, the last thing it needs is opposition from a Premiership club.

"And if it wasn't for the brilliant work by Coventry Council some 5 years ago, we would not have CRFC either. The council did outstanding work to get us out of the mire. Some people have very short memories, but I haven't"
facilitating Wasps move to Coventry somewhat undermines all that work.

It is up to CRFC to get us into the top flight as quick as possible. The gate on Saturday was down by over 300, and Coventry City were playing away. The board have had 4 seasons to get us promoted but we are still in the same league... that's the reason why folk are not coming through the gate. A winning team, playing attractive rugby in a top league will. If this happens we do not have to worry about Wasps or any other premiership club. Let’s be realistic, if people want to go and watch premiership Rugby they only have to go down the road to Leicester... but they/we choose not to!

Bringing Premiership Rugby to the city is a no-brainer for the council. They need someone to rent/buy/share the cost of the Ricoh. They obviously see this as a priority to the tax paying public of Coventry, and after all, it is the council’s job to facilitate this. Just like it was their job to save CRFC. I for one do not trust SISU, and nor do the council. That's why they are facilitating Wasps or whoever has the financial clout and are fit for purpose. Jon needs to understand that the goal posts have changed since their discussion with the council some 4 to 5 years ago. At the time Coventry City were embedded at the Ricoh on a long term contract. This is no longer the case, and the council are covering their bets/debts. And to be honest, if I was a councillor I would do the same.

I couldn't agree more with the above. If Cov are producing the goods on the pitch then there's no need to worry what Wasps are doing. The trouble with our division is having only one promotion place and it's ominous that returning Ealing are already in 1st place.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:09:21:18:54:13 by johnsonbrainwilkes.

It's potentially very damaging to Cov's ambitions and long-term plans. In such circmstances the chairman is fully entitled to voice his concern about the developments. If the council are reneging, as he claims, on a commitment to consult with Cov, then he is fully entitled to complain about this. The chairman is not responsible for the council's financial return from the Ricoh, he is responsible solely for the wellbeing of Coventry Rugby.

as someone said to me on saturday I wouldn't even buy a newspaper let alone a used car from a local councillor in Coventry, which sums it up nicely.

Maybe we should be looking a bit more long term about this ? A link up with Wasps using their depth of knowledge and squad availability would surely assist CRUFC and build to far better things ?

Quote:

zinzanh
Maybe we should be looking a bit more long term about this ? A link up with Wasps using their depth of knowledge and squad availability would surely assist CRUFC and build to far better things ?

I say this too you zinzanh. London Irish/Richmond/London Scottish that is their full title moved into Reading. The Reading RFC where climbing the leagues, Ok people will say not off the same status of CRFC. But take a look at where are Reading RFC now. The main fact is that two clubs would be competing for the same fan base. Could fans afford to watch Coventry on a Saturday and then Wasps on a Sunday ? The premiership cartel does not want other clubs to have a fair playing field. The people/companies who sponsor clubs will look at what a club can offer them. Take a look at Wasps current fixture list and then Coventrys. Which gives better promotion to that company ? BT and Sky coverage not forgetting ITV. Of course Wasps would offer things at a reduced rate to get cash in and bodies through the turnstile. And as for Dual Registered players just look at the various signings that CRFC have made, They nearly all have advanced to greater positions. This whole thing needs to be examined very closely by our board. Of which I have no doubt they will.

covmick/Michael Carter

I don't see the rugby fan base in Coventry being willing to support Wasps' proposed move to the Ricoh. Apart from traditional support for the team we cherish, what about the financial aspect of either paying a great deal more at the Ricoh or of paying both at BPA and at the Ricoh?
To say Cov need to get out of the Championship after four seasons is absolutely true, but it needs money and financial stability which is not achieved overnight, and certainly not immediately following at least two of the guys who've been chairmen.
It's my opinion that the move of Wasps to the Ricoh would put Coventry Rugby in the shade (yes, and Broadstreets, Barkers, Pinleys, etc,) and would eclipse any team who may have substantial aspirations but who equally lack the money, backers and facilities to move up the leagues.

What in recent times I have found amusing, if that's the right word is that whilst all the time they were in London (at Sudbury) we all knew them as Wasps .... nothing else.
As soon as they moved out of London it becomes London Wasps... branding & all that... .what a mess.

Wonder if they will change their name to TATA LONDON WASPS?

I didn't hear Jon Sharp's comments before the match, so do not know what was actually said. If he said that we were the only club in Coventry, that is clearly wrong.

As to clubs in Coventry likely to be affected badly by Wasps, if they moved to the Ricoh, it is absolutely clear that Coventry would take the biggest hit.

As we are at the moment, we are two tiers belie Wasps, trying to get up into the Championdhip, not up out of it.

Tier 4 has only one local club, a Coventry club in all but actual location, Broadstreet.

Tier 5 Nuneaton and Hinckley.

It takes until Tier 6, Midlands 1 West is the first level where another club in Covebtry - Earlsdon - is directly affected, along with very close neighbours including Barkers Butts, Kenilworth & Betkswell & Balsall.

Most of the Coventry clubs are at level 7 and below.

What in practice does this mean? Clubs with RFU Academies don't care where they poach their youngsters from.?Warwick School id now a bigger feed to the Permiership clubs than the whole of Coventry.

Dual registration and loans are practically limited to two tiers. Coventry, and possibly Broadstreet are the only teams who could be affected here.

What's left? Supporters. Obviously people supporting teams of sny level could be pulled to the Ricoh - but in practice I suspect the effect would be minimal at below tier 5.

So , for Coventry as a club, dreadful: for Coventry as. Rugby area, bad for about three other clubs, but for Coventry clubs outside of Voventry itself, I'd say pretty minimal impact.

That does not mean I am in favour of Wasps moving their base to Coventry. It is fublndanentally wrong for a club to move in on an area with an existing club within the tiers where they are competing for the same players, and supporters.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:09:23:08:19:45 by OldNick.

When it suits London, there is more of England than the confines of the M25.

These comments are not those of Old Nick, (who seems to be slowly changing his mind on the subject).

The real concern must be if they are successful in gaining a foothold in the Ricoh, possibly through political convenience and expediency more than any other factor.

Where do they go from there?

They will surely see Coventry Rugby as a threat to be eliminated. They will be directly competing with for support, players and infrastructure.

Think it through and it is too easy to see a horrible position and mess. This needs heading off at the pass now.

Quote:

tom snr
as someone said to me on saturday I wouldn't even buy a newspaper let alone a used car from a local councillor in Coventry, which sums it up nicely.

Your comment Tom is uncalled for. Just look back A short time ago to see what Coventry Council did for CRFC. People must make up their own mind on local politics which have no place on this message board.

covmick/Michael Carter

If the rumours of big financial backers are true, the plan could well extend to taking over the sky blues. Having a prem rugby club and a potential prem football club at the ricoh under their control might well interest a few parties with deep pockets. You could understand Cov Council being on board as it could be an exciting prospect for the city. Cov's interests in such circumstances would probably be a minor concern. On the other hand, all the rumours might just be b******s.

Interesting theory Rustyroof. The question would be who has that much money to throw around?

I think we can forget Tata - they are not a brand in the UK and show no signs if wanting to become one. Their JLR subsidiary is at present making money but has very heavy investment plans, and appears at present to be the one part of Tata doing well - and therefore to be propping up Tata's results. I therefore do not see JLR having that sort if money available.

I cannot think of other local companies likely to have the amount of cash to want to put into a 3rd tier football team, a homeless premiership rugby club, and an expensive stadium with no record of successful commercial operation. The money would have to come from outside the city.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:09:23:13:10:01 by OldNick.

I was thinking of the sort of people who invest in football clubs rather than rugby clubs. The Sky blues as an investment for prem status would be fairly attractive. Leicester, a similar club in many respects, have shown the potential.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:09:23:15:06:14 by rustyroof.

Quote:

OldNick
Interesting theory Rustyroof. The question would be who has that much money to throw around?
I think we can forget Tata - they are not a brand in the UK and show no signs if wanting to become one. Their JLR subsidiary is at present making money but has very heavy investment plans, and appears at present to be the one part of Tata doing well - and therefore to be propping up Tata's results. I therefore do not see JLR having that sort if money available.

I cannot think of other local companies likely to have the amount of cash to want to put into a 3rd tier football team, a homeless premiership rugby club, and an expensive stadium with no record of successful commercial operation. The money would have to come from outside the city.

TATA have their european automotive developement centre at Warwick University and are a seperate business unit to JLR. I quote a reliable source when I mention their involvement with Wasps.

chinese money is the word on the street (wasps forum poster quoting 'in the know' sky blues forum poster).



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:09:23:16:07:39 by rustyroof.

Yet another criticism of CCC. The councillors duty is to protect the interests of Coventry Taxpayers, which precedes the interests of private organisations. If a major investor makes approaches to ACL, the Council must consider such an offer and decide along with the other shareholder if such an approach will benefit the
Ricoh,the City and Alan Higgs. I do not welcome the possibility of Wasps at the Ricoh, but accept that CCC has to act only in the best interest of its Citizens.

Quote:

Roger Fox
Yet another criticism of CCC. The councillors duty is to protect the interests of Coventry Taxpayers, which precedes the interests of private organisations. If a major investor makes approaches to ACL, the Council must consider such an offer and decide along with the other shareholder if such an approach will benefit the
Ricoh,the City and Alan Higgs. I do not welcome the possibility of Wasps at the Ricoh, but accept that CCC has to act only in the best interest of its Citizens.

I never suggested otherwise.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:09:23:22:08:23 by rustyroof.

Quote:

rustyroof

Quote:

Roger Fox
Yet another criticism of CCC. The councillors duty is to protect the interests of Coventry Taxpayers, which precedes the interests of private organisations. If a major investor makes approaches to ACL, the Council must consider such an offer and decide along with the other shareholder if such an approach will benefit the
Ricoh,the City and Alan Higgs. I do not welcome the possibility of Wasps at the Ricoh, but accept that CCC has to act only in the best interest of its Citizens.

I never suggested otherwise.

Not you Rusty.

wasps please come to coventry

just think about it wasps 15,000 20,000 fans filling the richo ,the city needs a GOOD sports team ,look what we have at the moment ??
you need big money to be in the big leagues and our local team has not got that and will never have it ,money buys you every thing in sport ,so let the wasps come ,its good for the city 100%

you haven't changed your agenda since last time you were on- you have you own axe to grind which gets somewhat tedious-especially as you have personal issues with Cov rugby.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:09:29:17:03:33 by tom snr.

wasps being at the ricoh will not generate between 5/10 thousand more fans. The only time it may have a sizeable crowd would be against tigers and saints. It just would not work.

NO AXE TO GRIND ,I STILL PAY TO GO AND SEE COV ,NOT GOOD THO ,DO YOU THINK COV PLAY GOOD RUGBY ???? ,ONLY IN YOUR DREAMS,
AND YES THEY WILL GET WELL OVER 10,000 GATES AT THE RICHO ,I WILL PUT MONEY ON IT
IF YOU THINK THEY WILL NOT DO YOU WANT TO PUT £1,000 ON IT ??
IM WILLING TO HAVE A BET ARE YOU ??
BY THE WAY I PAID FOR 10 PEPOLE TO GO LAST GAME

FACT ,3,000 FANS FROM COVENTRY WILL GO TO WATCH
7,000 BIRMINGHAM
3,000 OTHERE AREAS
THERES 13,000 ALREADY
WOULD YOU LIKE TO WATCH INTERNATIONAL PLAYER WEEK IN WEEK OUT ??
WE NEED A GOOD TEAM TO WATCH

GOOD REVENUE FOR COVENTRY BUSINESES IF WASPS COME
HOTELS PUBS TRANSPORT RESTERAUNTS ETC
SICK OF SEEING TIGER SHIRTS WORN IN COV

I've already gone my Wasp's shirt, shorts and socks