Bristol Rugby at the County Ground ....?

[Colin Todd]

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.

[Cookie]

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.

[Simon Pieman]

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.

[fatbury]

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

[RobertT]

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.

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.

[Reg Smeeton]

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.

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.

[RobertT]

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.

[Reg Smeeton]

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?

[Colin Todd]

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?

[neville w]

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

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

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

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)

[Reg Smeeton]

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

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

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

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.

[neville w]

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

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

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

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.

[Colin Todd]

Neville you facking cock

[Reg Smeeton]

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

[Gelbfüßler]

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.