The Elephant In The Room
White one?
By KevinTheB
February 10 2012
Again, another installment of random musings of very little value!
Having been through some of the recent postings on the message board section, it seems to me that there is one rather fundamental issue that we all acknowledge but which for good reasons, doesn't get discussed.
We have to have a new owner, this is a given, Steve Hayes has put the "For Sale" sign in the window, and one hopes that the quietness of the jungle drums doesn't mean that nobody is interested.
The bigger issue for me is where would we end up playing?
Now there were a lot of very loyal Wasps fans who couldn't follow the Club out to High Wycombe for the "temporary" move. This seems to have been generally forgotten by the new Wycombe contingent who now think it would be a crime to move away from there.
I have been absent from the ground for a substantial period of time now, for a number of reasons, but the main one being that I don't have time at weekends to spend the best part of a whole day watching rugby. Moving to the Shires has given me a different structure and there hasn't been enough on the pitch of late to overcome the trip in, the hassle at the ground, and the trip home. Yes, another fair weather supporter.
But at least there's a ground, even if our partners in occupation would rather us vanish down a big black hole and never sully their stadium again.
Looking at new locations doesn't fill me with any joy. Where could we go that isn't already occupied and (which in my opinion is absolutely vital) has the dimensions to lay out a full sized pitch?
I think we need an Arab Sheik or Russian Plutocrat to buy up a big piece of land, bribe the local council wherever that is, and build a stadium roughly based on the Stoop but with character and atmosphere, run in a four-lane road and an extension of the Underground.
Any suggestions?
The Elephant In The Room
Posted by: DrunkenWasps.com (IP Logged)
Date: 10/02/2012 10:59
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Re: The Elephant In The Room
Posted by: pds18464 (IP Logged)
Date: 10/02/2012 11:04
yep thats exactly what we need Kevin - here's hoping!
Re: The Elephant In The Room
Posted by: Sudbury Survivor (IP Logged)
Date: 10/02/2012 11:08
Hell of an ask to get a new owner to build a stadium near London as well.
For us I cannot see any alternative to sharing unless someone takes the risk of the franchise model and moves us out of SE England - lose all your current support (the few thousand who do turn up) in the hope of building a new regional support for premiership rugby in an area that is currently not well served like Nottingham or deep SW.
For us I cannot see any alternative to sharing unless someone takes the risk of the franchise model and moves us out of SE England - lose all your current support (the few thousand who do turn up) in the hope of building a new regional support for premiership rugby in an area that is currently not well served like Nottingham or deep SW.
Re: The Elephant In The Room
Posted by: cb@wasps (IP Logged)
Date: 10/02/2012 11:15
From what I have heard there have been some very good offers, certainly better than I thought and made me raise my eyebrows. One option and it is only an option is back to LR. Don't shoot me if it doesn't happen there is more than one choice.
Re: The Elephant In The Room
Posted by: RichC (IP Logged)
Date: 10/02/2012 11:23
Kevin.
I started supporting Wasps when they came to Wycombe. It doesn't mean that I wouldn't support them if they moved back into London or elsewhere.
Not all of the people who live in this area think that High Wycombe was the right answer for Wasps.
I started supporting Wasps when they came to Wycombe. It doesn't mean that I wouldn't support them if they moved back into London or elsewhere.
Not all of the people who live in this area think that High Wycombe was the right answer for Wasps.
Re: The Elephant In The Room
Posted by: Rumourwasps (IP Logged)
Date: 10/02/2012 11:24
I don't think that we will be getting an Arab Sheik or Russian buying the club. There was a bit of news/rumour i heard a few weeks ago on the prospective new owners: There are two bidders still in the running, they are both English bids, neither are the billionaire type but business men heading up consortiums and one/or both were about the start due diligence of the clubs accounts/assets.
Re: The Elephant In The Room
Posted by: cb@wasps (IP Logged)
Date: 10/02/2012 11:42
I heard the same earlier this week that there were 2 bidders in the running.
Re: The Elephant In The Room
Posted by: Pint (IP Logged)
Date: 10/02/2012 12:36
you ld move into Dump de Vic in Watford once Sarries move out, Wasps sharing with Hornets - could see the marketing value!
Re: The Elephant In The Room
Posted by: Sudbury Survivor (IP Logged)
Date: 10/02/2012 12:56
Quote:cb@wasps
One option and it is only an option is back to LR.
I can see the billboards now -
Come to Wasps the cheap alternative to shopping in Westfield
Re: The Elephant In The Room
Posted by: Waspler (IP Logged)
Date: 10/02/2012 13:42
'Another option that seems good looking at is Charlton's ground The Valley'
Its of a good capacity and back in London. Quite easy to get to using the tube according to the Footballgroundguide.com
Its of a good capacity and back in London. Quite easy to get to using the tube according to the Footballgroundguide.com
Re: The Elephant In The Room
Posted by: ROUTE 66 (IP Logged)
Date: 10/02/2012 14:20
Surprised Tesco or Sainsurys haven't come up with the idea of buying Wasps....they bribe any local council to build anywhere they like....complete with a new raod system....and I'm sure we wouldn't mind one of those stores near to a new Wasps stadium would we??? My wife would be happy that's for sure.
Re: The Elephant In The Room
Posted by: pds18464 (IP Logged)
Date: 10/02/2012 15:07
wasnt that the idea with the wasps QPR white city westfield stadium shopping centre type thing - also near new hub for H2 to bring in the 'masses' down the M40 corridor
Re: The Elephant In The Room
Posted by: Buttoi (IP Logged)
Date: 10/02/2012 15:18
According to one of the instructors down at my gym, QPR are looking to develop some off the vacant BBC buildings at white city. Now that could be a good development to get involved with!
Re: The Elephant In The Room
Posted by: aitch nli (IP Logged)
Date: 10/02/2012 19:38
'Based on the Stoop' - can we leave out the ruddy great gaping chasm in front of the stands please?
Re: The Elephant In The Room
Posted by: Waspy (IP Logged)
Date: 10/02/2012 19:45
The Valley wouldn't be a bad call. I played for the London Broncos when they were there in 96/97 and it is a good stadium to play in. For fans it is reasonable enough to get to, good stands close to the pitch and a good match day experience. Also a reasonable catchment area for some much needed rugby fans.
Re: The Elephant In The Room
Posted by: Bexleyheath Wasp (IP Logged)
Date: 11/02/2012 14:31
Charlton would be 100% ideal for those of us in North Kent / SE London (Eltham Wasp /Blackheath Wasp and others I'm sure)...but I would amazed if the club were willing to take on a rugby team again.
Going back to the initial point in Kevin's article, I'd be happy to go anywhere in or around London or the SE (I'm already a 90 minute drive from Wycombe) but not everyone has that option / flexibility.
Going back to the initial point in Kevin's article, I'd be happy to go anywhere in or around London or the SE (I'm already a 90 minute drive from Wycombe) but not everyone has that option / flexibility.
Re: The Elephant In The Room
Posted by: colourbloke (IP Logged)
Date: 11/02/2012 17:52
I live in Wycombe and I started following Wasps when professionalism/Sunday games came about with the move to Loftus Road.
I didn't commit to a season ticket at the time as I was already absent on Saturdays, as I was still playing locally, and to disappear for most of Sunday as well was unfair on the family.
I now coach minis on Sunday, so a move too far away from the West London/A40 area would create a similar problem for me if Sunday games continue to dominate Wasps' scheduling. In short, you can't please everyone all of the time and the needs of the majority will, and should come first.
But I do want Wasps to remain in the West London/A40 area. As long as they can find an place with decent rail and road links and hopefully some decent pubs.
I didn't commit to a season ticket at the time as I was already absent on Saturdays, as I was still playing locally, and to disappear for most of Sunday as well was unfair on the family.
I now coach minis on Sunday, so a move too far away from the West London/A40 area would create a similar problem for me if Sunday games continue to dominate Wasps' scheduling. In short, you can't please everyone all of the time and the needs of the majority will, and should come first.
But I do want Wasps to remain in the West London/A40 area. As long as they can find an place with decent rail and road links and hopefully some decent pubs.
Re: The Elephant In The Room
Posted by: romford wasp (IP Logged)
Date: 12/02/2012 21:16
The whole club is a mess.We're not winning matches and relegation is looming unless we pull together and start winning matches.Wasps need the fans support.This means as many fans as possible packing out adams park and away from home as well every week.Forget building new grounds as that will cost millions.The team need to stop worrying about the politics at board level and concentrate on rugby matters.As for moving again,i'm in favour of it,although this and a take over goes hand in hand so it won't happen anytime soon.Today's performance was typical o four season,great for first 20 minutes,@#$%& for the next 60.Noticed at the end of the game,Haughton hugging virtually every member of the saracens squad.Shame he doesn't show the same commitment to his own team.
Re: The Elephant In The Room
Posted by: dawson9 (IP Logged)
Date: 12/02/2012 21:23
Quote:This means as many fans as possible packing out adams park
Wont happen.
Quote:As for moving again,i'm in favour of it,although this and a take over goes hand in hand so it won't happen anytime soon
Considering the club have potential buyers at a due diligence stage thats quite a statement.
Quote:Haughton hugging virtually every member of the saracens squad.Shame he doesn't show the same commitment to his own team.
Ah, Haughton the scapegoat. I thought he had a good game today. Made a couple of good breaks, counterattacked well and was solid in defence. Not his fault his centres barely got the ball to the wings all game.
Re: The Elephant In The Room
Posted by: Richardwasp (IP Logged)
Date: 12/02/2012 21:26
Romford
Haughton did spend several seasons with the special ones so what do you expect him to do
Haughton did spend several seasons with the special ones so what do you expect him to do
Re: The Elephant In The Room
Posted by: ROUTE 66 (IP Logged)
Date: 13/02/2012 13:09
Haughton did play well today and has been improving all season....his ex team mates were probably just as pleased to give him a man hug...nothing wrong with that Romford...this is rugby after all.
Re: The Elephant In The Room
Posted by: James Moore (IP Logged)
Date: 28/02/2012 18:38
i think QPR are looking for a new stadium as theirs is relatively small in premiership football terms, (smallest in the league) so could a bid be put in for it and make it a wasps stadium rather than a stadium that we borrow from the football teams that use it?
Re: The Elephant In The Room
Posted by: Shrek Wasp (IP Logged)
Date: 28/02/2012 20:23
Fine in theory James, expect for the fact that the land Loftus Road is built on probably puts it out of the price range of anyone but a housing developer.
Re: The Elephant In The Room
Posted by: muglee (IP Logged)
Date: 28/02/2012 22:38
Quote:Shrek the Fifth
Fine in theory James, expect for the fact that the land Loftus Road is built on probably puts it out of the price range of anyone but a housing developer.
Am i right in thinking one of the parties interested is a property company?
Re: The Elephant In The Room
Posted by: Heathen (IP Logged)
Date: 28/02/2012 23:16
Correct.
A Sarfie, a Russki, a property consortium and another consortium.
A Sarfie, a Russki, a property consortium and another consortium.
Re: The Elephant In The Room
Posted by: Skippy (IP Logged)
Date: 29/02/2012 04:11
From what I recall, Loftus Road has a deed of covenant that requires the land to be used to for sport. I think it has something to do with White City and the Olympics.
McAlpine's found this out when they got involved with QPR/Wasps over 10 years ago. I think they hoped to get the land whilst QPR hoped to get the money that would help fund the building of a new stadium. In the end McAlpine's ended up sponsoring the Ellersie Road stand.
McAlpine's found this out when they got involved with QPR/Wasps over 10 years ago. I think they hoped to get the land whilst QPR hoped to get the money that would help fund the building of a new stadium. In the end McAlpine's ended up sponsoring the Ellersie Road stand.
Re: The Elephant In The Room
Posted by: JF (IP Logged)
Date: 29/02/2012 09:35
Restrictive covenants can be sidestepped or varied or voided with the right words in the right ear.
I used to support my local football club, Hendon, whose ground was supposedly subject to similar covenants. Hendon now play in Wembley, and the derelict ground lies idle whilst local campaigners take on the London Borough of Barnet (whose motto should be "Give us your money and **** off").
Lord only knows what's happened to allow Saracens to take over Copthall and its green spaces but got in the way of Barnet FC tacking a bit on to Undehill, alhough many Barnet residents have their own ideas.
I used to support my local football club, Hendon, whose ground was supposedly subject to similar covenants. Hendon now play in Wembley, and the derelict ground lies idle whilst local campaigners take on the London Borough of Barnet (whose motto should be "Give us your money and **** off").
Lord only knows what's happened to allow Saracens to take over Copthall and its green spaces but got in the way of Barnet FC tacking a bit on to Undehill, alhough many Barnet residents have their own ideas.
Re: The Elephant In The Room
Posted by: Skippy (IP Logged)
Date: 29/02/2012 10:18
I believe they can also be made to disappear lost.
It's always work checking who's on the list of non-execs in the years after such decisions are taken.
BTW, I do hope the Egyptian Carpet Bagger is not looking for another sporting investment. Perhaps we could arrange MI5 and Prince Philip to block the bid if it happens.
Now, if only the owners of his old shop would like to buy the club...
It's always work checking who's on the list of non-execs in the years after such decisions are taken.
BTW, I do hope the Egyptian Carpet Bagger is not looking for another sporting investment. Perhaps we could arrange MI5 and Prince Philip to block the bid if it happens.
Now, if only the owners of his old shop would like to buy the club...
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