Groundshare with Bath Rugby - on a full time basis?

[axs]

Dont know why we dont look at getting involved with the Speedway redevelopment out in blunsdon just have one big super stadium.

1) Not enough room
2) They've got planning permission on the basis of the plans submitted; they'd have to completely redo them and risk being rejected second time round, plus getting called into the Office of Local Government and delay their plans considerably
3) We should stay at the County Ground, not move out of town

 

[janaage]

Would be an interesting poll to see the views of all town fans.  I'm in favour of staying where we are and redeveloping the old girl (CG).

[Gelbfüßler]

I think it would be quality for a season or two, but as much as I hate Bath RFC it would be wrong for them to move here permanently. We're quite lucky football is the national sport, because rugby union has struggled since it became professional. What's happened in Wales is a prime example.

The Rec is one of the most picturesque (sp) sports grounds in the country and would be a travesty if they moved out forever.

[Rich Pullen]

I'm all for housing them while they redevelop because as it stands I trust our board 100% so I know that if rugby came to the CG then everything will be done to make sure the football didn't suffer.

I'm sure Bath fans don't want to commute from the city full-time the same as we don't want to commute outside of Swindon if we moved.

[RobertT]

I think it would be quality for a season or two, but as much as I hate Bath RFC it would be wrong for them to move here permanently. We're quite lucky football is the national sport, because rugby union has struggled since it became professional. What's happened in Wales is a prime example.

The Rec is one of the most picturesque (sp) sports grounds in the country and would be a travesty if they moved out forever.

How has Rugby struggled since going Pro?  grounds are pretty much sold out bar the clubs who use the big football stadiums, more money in the game, an England team that won the WC, and a competition with 5 or 6 teams able to mount a real challenge.  What has happened is it has taken a certain route to get this success, one which we would not want football to take, and that is clubs moving around a bit.  The type of supporter is different though, so it has not met the same resistence in Rugby.  Wales have struggled at club level to some extent, but their National team had become inconsistent many years ago.

I doubt Bath will move here, which means we need to be cautious about where any such shared ground would be.  On a temporary basis I'd quite like it if we had some Rugby to chose from as well.  Half the games don't clash with football fixtures anyway.

[Simon Pieman]

Rob, loads of teams have gone under since rugby went pro, I know others have flourished, I suppose it's just like football and the Premier League in that respect.

I'm not sure how this relates to a groundshare though  

[RobertT]

Rob, loads of teams have gone under since rugby went pro, I know others have flourished, I suppose it's just like football and the Premier League in that respect.

I'm not sure how this relates to a groundshare though  

but they could have continued outside the pro set-up if they wished.  Fact is, old school rugby in England was exactly that, a limited fan base and not even a proper league structure.  1 or 2 teams would dominate.  Not saying it's been great for everyone, not by a long chalk, but at the top end it's got better.  Unlike football, where I don't think the same is true, there I think the very very very top is better.  English Rugby has brought about a bigger gulf between the leagues now though, but it is generally done with the National outlook in mind.  Football is often done with the clubs in mind at the top.

Anyway, it's got little to do with the a ground share, other than sports being run differently, so not being locally based isn;t always as concerning for Rugby fans at that level.

[Gelbfüßler]

I can't believe Bath fans wouldn't kick up as much of a stink as we would if it was the other way round (permanent move-wise).

[Samdy Gray]

Looks like this is near enough a done deal...

ANDREW Fitton is relishing "the prospect of bringing first-class rugby to the County Ground", as a prospective ground share with Bath Rugby edges closer to reality.

Reports this weekend suggested a deal between Town and the Guinness Premiership side is almost done, as Bath look for a temporary home from 2009 while either their Rec base is developed, or a brand new stadium built.

While Bristol City's Ashton Gate and Gloucester's Kingsholm were believed to be other options, it would appear that the County Ground remains the strong front-runner.

Town chairman Andrew Fitton told the Advertiser yesterday: "Discussions have been pretty regular over the past few weeks and we are excited about the prospect of bringing first class rugby to the County Ground."

http://www.thisisswindontownfc.co.uk/display.var.2450370.0.fitton_bath_share_deal_closer.php

[sonic youth]

so long as it doesn't totally fuck up the pitch...

imagine the number of rugby balls that'll get lost from conversions

[glos_robin]

millennium stadium has football & speedway events and that has no running track, they just lay boards over the pitch, so no compromise with viewing distances

Aint it supercross that they do at the Millenium Stadium on a course similar to the Rally super stage? This doesn't require an oval so space isn't a problem...

[flammableBen]

Aceness.

[flammableBen]

or maybe not aceness. Can't decide.

Also got confused by the thread resurrection.

[Peter Venkman]

so long as it doesn't totally fuck up the pitch...

imagine the number of rugby balls that'll get lost from conversions

Thats the only concern really as it will bring a nice amount of extra finance into the club coffers. But will a lot of that be spent putting the pitch right after games and re-laying turf after games?

I had to read your post twice SY I could have sworn you wrote conversations and my little brain tried to figure out any conversations I had ever had about rugby!

[Iffy's Onion Bhaji]

Good news but only (like Sonic said) as long as the pitch isn't fucked up.