Thetownend.com

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/swindon_town/7347841.stm

Can't see this anywhere else ...

I can say one thing

 :shock:

http://www.thisisswindontownfc.co.uk/display.var.2196449.0.switching_codes.php

Here as well - Would ruin the pitch.

Look at the damage it does to the Memorial Stadium pitch

And Wigan.  If it wasn't for my concern of the pitch, I wouldn't actually mind the egg chasers as police etc. wouldn't be needed much and the money that would come in would be immense.

It was mentioned last night that Bristol, and an un-named  team (Bath) had expressed an interest.

And yes, they are aware of the pitch issues. But for every Rovers there is a Reading. For every Wigan, a Watford.

In principle if the pitch could take it and the residents weren't too upset I'd have no problem.

There is a "fibre" that can be added to the pitch, as they do at Watford, and QPR I believe, which means the pitch shouldn't suffer.

Also it's not just Bristol rugby who have made enquiries but another Guinness Premiership club, judging by what was said last night probably Bath, as he said

"Another club has written to me, who I can't reveal, who we are very interested in, especially as it would mean local derbies with Gloucester, London Irish, Saracens, Wasps and Bristol".

I'm all for the rugby share, extra revenue will help balance the books!

Might even attend a few matches myself for an alternative and would be very good for sport in Swindon where there is limited Rugby base.

The good thing about this rugby idea is that it puts Swindon on the map in the world of rugby, it'd be featured on Sky Sports a lot more.  Sponsorship wise (hoardings etc) would get a lot more coverage, therefore price to advertise goes up too?

IF they can sort the pitch out, it could be a good thing in terms of a unifying factor around the CG - a step on the way to making the CG be seen as the top sports venue in the area, rather than just (as some see it) a run-down football club. Which could be a very smart move, IF they can sort out the pitch issue.

Isn't the owner of Saracens Jeremy Wray's brother ?

I think there may have been some red herrings last night.

I'd never heard of that but if it does work then definitely bring the Rugby here.

I'm all for it if the pitch could take it

Why do you say that Nev?  Not sure what you mean by making the Saracens statement then the red herring comment.

Is that Saracens nickname? "Come on you herrings!"

Yes - and arnt Wasps looking for a new home?

Surely we're too far outside of London to take one of those two on?

I assumed that we were talking Bath or Bristol.

Roll on the rugby, as well as some good matches to watch it will raise the profile of the county ground and therefore stfc. Everyone's a winner. and all those awfully nice middle class punters wont need policing (or stewarding thank god)! I would prefer Bath to Bristol.

Bath would be class to welcome to Swindon, Bristol would take a little longer to get used to.

Completely agree.

I think Bristhole should go to Rodney Parade.   Bath to Twerton.

If the pitch can take it I'd be keen. I'd probably go to a few matches as well.

It would be a clever move for Bristol Rugby if they were to come to Swindon.  I'm always struck by how many Bath rugby fans there are getting on the train at Swindon when we're getting off to come to the football.  In rugby terms, Swindon seems to be very much Bath territory, even though Bristol and Gloucester are not much further away.  But that could change.  There certainly seem to be quite a lot of London Irish shirts on show in Reading when I'm there.

The pitch can be made to hold-up to the use provided the investment is right, which in turn means chargin a hefty rent.  Reading charge close to £500k from memory, but it costs a lot to keep the pitch maintained.

Rugby is much more open to franchising, so it would be no suprise for either Bath or Bristol to come.  Bath are still pushing for a new stand, so it might be a temp move for them, or Bristol who got a bit stuffed on the Memorial Ground.  They also fill-up Ashton Gate when they play Bath there so a bigger ground may appeal to them.

Watkins is ex Wasps so no doubt has a lot of contacts and experience from their move to QPR and then Wycombe.

I'd be well up for having rugby at the CG as long as the appropriate measures were taken to protect the pitch. I quite enjoy watching Bath, and as somebody mentioned they are pretty much the 'local team' in Swindon. It would be good for Bath aswell - at the moment they pack the ground out so are able to charge very high prices. Moving to the CG could increase their crowds by an extra 50% or so which would give them more of an 'outreach'.

As was mentioned the financial benefits for us would be huge, and it would be great to be able to go and watch without the hassle of getting the bus and then the train!

Incase you hadn't gathered, I'd definitely prefer Bath to Bristol!

I think the one person that will be dead against this idea would be my Mrs.  I bloody love live rugby, drinking in the stands, decent top class rugby on show, perfect.

I like rugby but no thanks

Um no.

I like the idea. As Janaage said it will put Swindon on the map, also it will generate more revenue for the club. Im also a rugby fan so would attend a few games.

The only concern I have is the pitch, if it becomes crap it wouldn't help Malpas as he wants to play passing football, but I think Fitton will spend a lot of money on the pitch so then there's no reason why we can't have rugby here?

Problem is, you'd get people that would go to rugby at the CG rather than go away to cheer on the football team.

I reckon the Premiership rugby matches may attract more fans than STFC, as a lower league club.  

But I don't think many people would sacrifice football for rugby.

Agreed. People tend to either support a football team or a rugby team, they might have an interest in the other sport, but its not on the same level.

Franchise rugby coming to Swindon. With the widely held view that franchise in sport is bad for fans (from what i gather from the comments about the Chippenham Robins idea muted by the last lot) I'm quite suprised by the views that it's ok for rugby.

Obviously Bristol is only whilst the memorial is being developed so doesn;t apply but I'm not sure Bath fans would be pro Swindon and certainly not the fans of the Laaandon teams.

But for all the people saying how much they'd like to go to watch the rugby...makes me wonder if it will be at a cost of going to away games.

I think potentially it could be a good idea. However, if the owners want to build up a strong fanbase for the football club they should really consider this. We've definitely had more of a buzz about us following our better away support.

People will go where the buzz is. People who often go to football will always do so, the 'stay aways' are different. If Fitton wants fans to watch Swindon Town F.C. this point needs careful consideration imo. The danger is the rugby will overshadow the football.

Bath would be good ... the pitch being wrecked is the worry ... It would be fun to watch something different to football on occasions

Franchising for Rugby is not as big a deal because the history of the sport and clubs is different to football.  Just look at the Irish, a team based in Lond but originally for Irish ex-pats.  Now it's in Reading and full of nomads from all countries.  London Wasps have moved around a lot, as have Saracens.  Football is much more closely linked to the community that generally spawns it's name, teams made of working class people from that area.  That link may have gone but fans clearly still regard the name = location thing as being very important.

Rugby is utterly different, you've only got to look at the fact that until about 15 years ago there wasn't even a proper league structure, and they used to have Rep games for the regions a bit like the Super 14's now.

If we invest enough in the pitch it's a great idea.

 Unfortunately it will cost half a mill to bring the pitch up to scratch for football.  

 The advantage that Reading and Wycombe have is that as new pitches, it was a lot easier to provide a decent surface, as they started from scratch.

  Recently, we've spent 20K approx every other season, to get the pitch something like acceptable.

Quite, but Reading charge around that figure per season in rental, or so they said (without specifying an exact amount).  They did say it was a profitable venture even allowing for the extra costs.

 But Oiriish are there permanently....we talking about one season or two max.  Will we really spend half a mill for that?

If they pay £1m for 2 seasons rent then it would make sense dont you think?

Janaaage - pure speculation on my part, but why wouldn't the Wrays try and help each other out. I have it in the back of my mind somewhere about Saracens considering a move, but could well be wrong.

Either way, I'd be chuffed if we ended up with a rugby team to watch in Swindon (pitch considerations aside)

 Is Saracen's man Nigel Wray related to Jeremy?  I know Ed Wray is ?

  The pitch consideration is fundamental....if you want to watch egg chasing its pretty esy to go to Glos, Bath or Bristhole.

Think I might have dropped a bollock on this one Reg - can't seem to find any fraternal connection between Nigel and Jeremy.

Sorry everybody.

Neville you facking cock

Fair enough Nev...we've all done it mate,  just some more than others.

As long as it's not Bath (cunts) or a 2 syllabled team it's fine by me. I can't stand the repetitive 2 syllable rugby chants of e.g. "Glaaaass-terrrrrr, glaaaasss-terrrr, glaaaaasss-terrrr" over and over and over.

Tee Hee - My friend works at Glaaasssttteerrr rugby club!

That singing is the only thing I hated when I went!

Annoyingly they're a good club in a lot of respects. Justin Marshall showed them how it's done when they came to the Liberty Stadium though  8)

Much better than sharing with the Gas that's for sure! Good idea if the pitch can stay fine. Didn't Fitton say they were planning to invest into the pitch over the summer anyway?

 Basically the pitch is completely fucked...its on a clay base so has always drained poorly.....the grass gets ruined by its roots not being able to go down into nice warm soil, but rather waterlogged clay.

 To alleviate the problem in recent years, the surface has been slit open and sand poured into the slits, in order to improve drainage.....after a while this becomes compacted, the water doesn't drain so the roots go sideways to avoid the damp....causing large divots to fly out.

 What needs to happen is for the whole pitch to be dug out and completely rebuilt with proper drainage...cost 500K.

  Unless this is done letting the egg chasers loose on it would just about render football impossible.

Was at Norwich for a meal a few months back and had a chat with someone about their pitch - same company that did Arsenal and Wembley - http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=168566  The guy said the pitch at Carrow Road was immaculate all year round and the number of metatarsal injuries had rocketed!  Don't know if he was taking the piss

Looks like bath then

http://www.thisisswindontownfc.co.uk/display.var.2202945.0.bath_rugby_confirm_town_talks.php

I'd be fine with Bath playing here, i've never been to watch rugby, so it'd be good to go along.

Obviously, i'd prefer it if the pitch remained playable though...

Providing the pitch isnt ruined and everyone is aware of that so there is a good chance it wont be .. it might be a useful source of extra income .. Id go and see my team play there anyway (Harlequins) when they visit

i would be happy to have the rugger here.but only if there are no effects on the pitch.
better to have the rugger than those scummy rovers wankers here!

But   "TAAAAYYY  LOOOORRRR"  is ok then ?

Theres something to do with the way they say "AS" in Glaaaaaaster that bugs me!

Yes! It's so grating. If Bath qualify for Europe I'll be happy to have them, only so the Rugby might be half decent.

 An away day weekend in France or Italy could be fun...the TEF (temporary Bath Rugby supporters  clique) On Tour.  I'm warming to the idea.

#

What a great idea reg!

We're not going to France toulouse

Be good to get Bath on side, then we can share the redeveloped Rec for a season while they do up the County Ground. Be handy for some of us...

 Dax entertainment Nev....do you think could join a castres of tens and get your carcassonne a plane, or would you be unable the brive as they wouldn't let your toulon?

Bayonne your way now sir.

 Albi seeing you. :run:

Biarittz is lovely!

 But difficult, unless its something like Biarittz...are you crackers?

Lets go over there for Biarittz not a bad idea.

:cheers: